Wendy The Muscular Whippet

[kissi]

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WOW! Sorry if this has been posted before. Here is an article from the Times Colonist (Canadian publication), dated 25 June 2007. My jaw about fell on the floor!

Big Wendy the muscular whippet
Rare genetic mutation increases muscles, weight of sleek breed

People mistake her for a pitbull with a pinhead, but Wendy the whippet is one rare breed.
So rare that the Central Saanich dog recently graced the New York Times. She also had several of her photos shown on The Today Show, all because of a rare genetic mutation that has led to her being the Incredible Hulk of dogs.

Wendy is a 27-kilogram rippling mass of muscle. Forget the so-called six-pack stomach: Wendy has a 24-pack. And the muscles around her neck are so thick, they look like a lion's ruff.

"People have referred to her as Arnold Schwarzenegger," says doting owner Ingrid Hansen, stroking Wendy's sleek black coat and white chest.

Wendy was recently part of a genetics study done in the U.S. on mutation in the myostatin gene in whippets, which resemble greyhounds in appearance. The National Institute of Health study reported that whippets with one single defective copy of the gene have increased muscle mass that can enhance racing performance in the breed, known for speeds up to 60 kilometres an hour.

But whippets with two mutated copies of the gene become "double-muscled," like Wendy. It has been seen before in one human, and also in mice, cattle and sheep, says the study.

The uber-muscled whippets are called "bullies," not because of their nature -- Wendy likes nothing better than a good back scratch and isn't shy about sitting in your lap to ask for one -- but because of their size. She's about twice the weight of an average whippet, but with the same height and small narrow head -- and the same size heart and lungs, which means she probably won't live as long as normal whippets.

Hansen has had Wendy, now four, since she bought the dog from a Shawnigan Lake breeder when she was eight months old.

Wendy landed in clover. She lives on an acreage, runs around with other dogs and horses, sleeps on Hansen's bed and pretty much anywhere else she wants to.

People are often afraid when the muscle-bound dog runs up to them on her dainty whippet-thin legs, but they soon realize she's friendly, Hansen said.

 

[dana]

jeez poor dog!

 

[parksie]

Oh my god that is ridiculous. It must find it hard to do normal day to day stuff.

 

[kirislin]

Poor girl but it seems she is well loved & wont be bred from ( from what I have read elsewhere about her). It's lucky for her there are people willing to give imperfect dogs of any breed a loving home.

I think she has a rather wise knowing look about her. Sweet.

Linda

 

[BeeJay]

Poor girl but it seems she is well loved & wont be bred from ( from what I have read elsewhere about her).  It's lucky for her there are people willing to give imperfect dogs of any breed a loving home.I think she has a rather wise knowing look about her. Sweet.

Linda

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Quite Krislin. How sad to be a little dog that people have reviled so much simply because of what she looks like. At least she doesn't know that people find her so revolting to look at. She's is a pet and she is much loved thank god. I am sure that her owners also feel lucky to have her because these bullies are gentle and loving and what more can we ask of our pets. :wub:

 

[Doobryfirkin]

i put up a post about it 10 days ago http://www.k9community.co.uk/forums/index....showtopic=34800

she has a look like ffs not another piggin camera just leave me alone

Tony

 

[Seraphina]

There were several threads on k9 discussing this condition, for anybody who wants to find more

Double muscling

I wish the owners would not publicize this dog. There is absolutely nothing to be achieved by this except attracting attention of the wrong kind of people .