Causes and Treatments for Tail-Chasing and Other Compulsive Behavior

         In a study published in Plos One named “Environmental Effects on Compulsive Tail Chasing in Dogs” ( Tiira, et al., 2012) it is noted that Tail Chasing is a stereotypical behavior that seems to have a higher rate of occurrences in dogs that had experienced “lower quality care” and were separated earlier from their mothers compared to dogs with no tail chasing. The study revealed Dogs receiving vitamins and minerals (especially vitamin B6 and C) chased their tails less compared to the dogs not receiving these supplements. Another finding in this study is boredom is not a significant cause of tail chasing, although the presence of children and/or other dogs in the house served to reduce tail chasing. In an earlier study conducted by Dr Nicholas Dodman and his team, discovered a spot on canine chromosome 7 that contains the gene CDH2 (Cadherin 2). This gene was found to be varied in dogs with compulsive disorders. ( Dodman, et al., 2010). In an article in the NY Times Dr. Karen L. Overall, environmental causes might outweigh genetic factors in development of compulsive behaviors. She further states dogs confined in kennels, shelters, and dogs from puppy mills “seem prone” to developing compulsive disorders. (Derr, 2010) In the same article, Dr Edward Ginns (who worked on the study with Dr Dodman) states “Although antidepressants, particularly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and clomipramine, a tricyclic antidepressant, and behavior modification have proved effective at controlling compulsive behavior in dogs and people, they do not appear to correct underlying pathologies or causes” He believes (in many cases) there is an underlying genetic predisposition to compulsive disorders. It appears that the most effective method of treating compulsive disorders is a combination of drug and behavior modification therapies. The behavior modification should include teaching the dog to relax in different situations (environmental, social, etc.) and/or redirecting the dog to an activity as a substitute for the compulsive behavior.   Philip K Greis

Eight dogs seized from Krabloonik

http://www.aspendailynews.com/section/home/160485

Great "Pit Bull with Kids" Slideshow in the Huff

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/25/kids-pit-bulls-_n_4164240.html

Keep Up The Good Work!!!!

http://gothamist.com/2013/10/18/accused_puppy_mill_pet_shop_sues_pr_1.php

Canine Puberty

When the male puppy starts puberty (approx. 4-9months), his testosterone level will increase to 2-3 times what it will be when he becomes physically mature. Jean Petersen of Canine Consultants (Petersen, 1995) claims this high level of testosterone stimulates the physical development of his body's secondary sexual characteristics; broader head, thicker neck, broader shoulders, and heavier lip folds that make him look definitely masculine. It also increases aggressive behavior. He will start challenging the authority of the other members of the family he lives with trying to improves his status in the hierarchy (order of authority). If he is strongly dominant genetically, this challenging process can results in serious aggressive behavior towards people and mostly other intact males. If not properly supervised, the dog may wonder away from home as if in search of a mate. Although bitches (female dogs) go into estrous twice a year, a dog can mate all year long. Other secondary sexual characteristic behavior is leg-lifting during urination and “humping” (initiating the sex act) on other organisms and inanimate objects, and attention deficits and a lack of focus. According to Ian Dunbar (Dunbar, 1996), the intersex aggression (between males) can be attributed to the scent of testosterone of each dog. Over 90% of dog fights occur between intact males. Being destructive and disobedient are other behaviors present at this stage (puberty-adolescent). In an article for clickersolutions.com (Alexander, 2008), Melissa Alexander states “A puppy’s brain is going through incredible changes. The cerebral cortex becomes a leaner, meaner thinking machine. During the period where it does all this new myelination, however, it's not a very efficient thinking machine; especially during the early adolescence period”.  The testosterone peak is from 6 - 12 months of age. It will then level off at about 3 years of age. The aggressive behavior begins to subside. The dogs focus returns, but they will leg-lift to urinate and hump female dogs. 

According to Dr Dunbar, castration in most mammals will eliminate secondary sexual characteristics, but not in dogs. The masculine characteristics of dog behavior have nothing to do with adult hormone levels. “Whether or not a male dog will lift his leg when urinating, sniff and mount female dogs and be more aggressive than female has all been preprogrammed by fetal testosterone in utero (pre-birth in the womb).

Philip K Greis

 

 

 

Play Training Works for Many dogs

http://www.marinij.com/lifestyles/ci_23756509/tails-marin-play-can-be-useful-training-tool

This is a Sick Bastard

http://www.ksdk.com/news/article/390955/0/James-Lyons-accused-of-sexually-abusing-dogs

This sick bastard should be put away forever

 

Muslim activists split over Islam’s stand on dogs

http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/muslim-activists-split-over-islams-stand-on-keeping-dogs

Active dogs more likely to behave well

http://www.sacbee.com/2013/07/23/5586838/active-dogs-more-likely-to-behave.html

This is cool stuff (I think)

http://www.technewsworld.com/story/FIDO-Makes-Working-Dogs-Better-Communicators-78486.html

PLEASE READ!!!! (Click on the link below)

If this is true, what a sick bastard

I really hope these allegations are not true.If this is true, he should be put away for a long time. 

Carbon Monoxide- How Dogs are Affected

• Once man discovered fire, the issue of being poisoned by pollutants began. One of the most common (and the most fatal) is Carbon Monoxide (CO). The toxic gas is odourless, tasteless, and invisible. It is a highly toxic gas that’s the incomplete combustion of carbon-based fuels such as gasoline. Sources of carbon Monoxide are unventilated kerosene or propane heaters, gasoline engines, automobile exhaust, or fumes from carbon-based fuel heating systems. Some causes of carbon monoxide exposure include accidental enclosure of dog in garage with automobile engine turned on, poorly ventilated areas with any source of carbon monoxide (e.g., fireplace, oven, barbecue grill). Another danger to dogs is being left alone in the car while the engine is running.
•     In an article on the PetMD website it is noted that carbon monoxide affects the ability of the blood to carry oxygen, by attaching itself to the hemoglobin (a protein) in the red blood cell. Once inhaled, CO molecules are attracted to hemoglobin several hundred more times than oxygen. CO then replaces the oxygen attached to the hemoglobin and is carried to the dog’s brain and heart thereby causing damage to the heart, lungs, and brain. The condition of low oxygen levels in the blood is known as hypoxemia.   (PetMD, ©1999-2013 ). The combination of hemoglobin and CO is called Carboxyhemoglobin. (The medical dictionary, 2007 ). In addition to binding to hemoglobin, 10% to 15% of CO attaches to other proteins, especially myoglobin within the heart. Chest pains and myocardial injury can occur with just a mild exposure to CO.  ( Quinn, et al., 2009). In a study published in the Annals of Clinical and laboratory Sciences, LR Goldbaum (et al) noted “Dogs inhaling CO (13 percent in air) for 15 minutes died within 15 minutes to 65 minutes with an average COHb (Carboxyhemoglobin) level of 65 percent”. (Goldbaum, et al., 1976 ) .  In the journal “Environmental Health Perspectives”, DG Penney wrote “Dogs were found to be more resistant to Carboxyhemoglobin than humans. (Penney, 1988). Carboxyhemoglobin can also affect the dog’s Central Nervous System whereby a dog would be too weak to walk, and may not be able to stand at all. Carbon Monoxide poisoning affects the hippocampus in the cerebral cortex causing spatial problems, along with memory loss. Some of the symptoms and behaviors (in dogs) of Carbon Monoxide poisoning are sleepiness, Lethargy, Depression, Seizures, loss of exercise stamina, and many more.
•   If you suspect your dog may have CO poisoning, it is imperative to bring the dog to your Vet immediately. The vet will immediately start the dog on oxygen and begin diagnostic tests. A complete blood count, a biochemistry profile, a urinalysis and other applicable body fluid tests will be performed. The vet will collect blood samples for determination of carboxyhemoglobin levels. Obtaining the levels of carbon monoxide in the blood is the most useful test for putting together the initial treatment plan. Treatment will include 100% oxygen and plenty of fluids to improve the flow of blood through the body tissues to areas such as the brain. If you Vet does not have the facilities to treat your dog for carbon monoxide poisoning, you can bring your dog to the local hospital. Long-term treatment will include limiting the activity of the dog such as short walks in lieu of longer walks and running. Observation is important to watch for signs of nervous symptoms, awkward gait and movement and other abnormal behaviors. Usually once the dog is removed from the affected area, the carboxyhemoglobin levels (the dog’s blood) will begin to lower just as fast as they rose.
• Philip K Greis

Works Cited

Quinn, D. K., McGahee, S. M. & Stern, T. A., 2009. Complications of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: A Case Discussion and Review of the Literature. Primary Care Companion to The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 2(11), p. 74–79.

Goldbaum, L. R., Orellano , T. & Dergal , E., 1976 . Mechanism of the toxic action of carbon monoxide. Annals of Clinical and Labratory Sciences, VI(IV), pp. 372-376.

Penney, D., 1988. Hemodynamic response to carbon monoxide. Environmental Health prospectives, Volume 77, pp. 121-130.

PetMD, ©1999-2013 . Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in Dogs. [Online]
Available at: http://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/respiratory/c_dg_carbon_monoxide_toxicosis#.Uc-8xqLD8zs
[Accessed 30 June 2013].

The medical dictionary, 2007 . carboxyhemoglobin. [Online]
Available at: http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/carboxyhemoglobin
[Accessed 30 June 2013].

Stealing Vet Drugs

According to a statement by Stanford Hospital and Clinic website, 1 %( one percent) of the world’s human population has some form of epilepsy (Stanford Hospitals and Clinics, 2013).The percentage of dogs with epilepsy is approximately 4% (four percent) (inconclusive). (Dennis O'Brien, 2002)The statistics show that dogs are three times more likely to have some form of epilepsy than humans. In a study published in Plos One conducted at the University of Helsinki by Professor Hannes Lohi and his group, a gene region has been identified in chromosome 37 that which if homozygous (having identical alleles for a single trait), increases the risk of epilepsy by seven-fold . ( Lohi, et al., 2012) This study was conducted on Belgian Shepherds, a breed which has a high rate of epilepsy. In light of this initial data, breeders now have some basic evidence that there is genetic link to epilepsy. Basically with or without these findings, dogs should never be bred if one has any illness that can be inherited by their offspring. Dr O’Brien goes on to state that a typical canine epileptic seizure lasts about two minutes. According to the book “A Dog Owner’s Home Veterinary Handbook”, “Phenobarbital continues to be the single most effective drug for treating epilepsy in dogs.” (Eldredge, et al., 2007). Phenobarbital is a drug prescribed for human epileptic seizures as well. Phenobarbital falls into a class of drugs known as Barbiturates. According to the National Institutes of Health (US), “barbiturates are a type of depressant drug that cause relaxation and sleepiness. A barbituate overdose occurs when someone accidentally or intentionally takes more than the normal or recommended amount of this medication. This is life threatening”. (Perez & Zieve, 2012). The article further states “Barbiturate abuse is a major addiction problem for many people” “However, those who become addicts usually start by abusing medication prescribed for them or other family members.” Not only are people abusing phenobarbital for human consumption, there are studies that show veterinary medications such as phenobarbital is being abused as well. According to a 2002 article in The Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law titled “Novel Cases: Malingering by Animal Proxy”, there are pet owners who are reporting false symptoms in an effort to obtain certain veterinary drugs. The article specifically states “In a veterinary setting, malingering takes on a different twist. Instead of misrepresenting illness in themselves, clients (pet owners) report false symptoms in their pets to veterinarians”.  (LeBourgeois III, et al., 2002) The article further states “We propose that veterinarians, like their medical counterparts, are potential targets of malingering by their clients for drugs of abuse. Because of their familiarity with this condition, psychiatrists may have a role in training veterinarians to recognize malingering on the part of their human clients. The authors of the aforementioned article have labeled this an actual behavior by humans. Five specific cases of this are documented in this report denoting five different medications; Tranxene (Benzodiazepine), Winstrol tablets (Anabolic Steroid), Levothyroxine (thyroid supplement), Hycodan (opiate), and Amitriptyline (anti-depressant). In all these cases, persons attempted to dupe a vet into writing more prescriptions, and all were denied.

              On May 1, 2013, I interviewed my friend (and my dogs’ Vet) Doctor Pasquale Meleleo DVM, owner of Pleasant Plains Animal Hospital, (Staten Island, NY). Dr Meleleo claims there is a problem of dog and cat owners attempting to obtain meds for falsely claimed ailments. He stated “Pain management meds are the most popular drug targeted by people”. He went on to discuss his policy of conducting random drug tests of his own employees. “I test for potential ketamine abuse by my staff randomly at least once a month”. Ketamine is a drug used for veterinary use as an anesthesia (with other sedatives) and for pain management. According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Ketamine is as a street drug called “Special K”. In a released statement, the DEA states “Ketamine distorts perceptions of sight and sound and makes the user feel disconnected and not in control. A “Special K” trip is touted as better than that of LSD or PCP because its hallucinatory effects are relatively short in duration, lasting approximately 30 to 60 minutes as opposed to several hours”. (Drug Enforcement Administration, August 2011).

     On June 10, 2013, I interviewed a personal friend; Donna who owned a Chihuahua (now deceased) named Sparky which I knew suffered from seizures. After the first seizure, Donna took Sparky to a vet, Dr Theresa Cavallero. Dr Cavallero diagnosed Sparky with epilepsy. Dr Cavallero prescribed a 30 day prescription of phenobarbital BID (twice daily). According to Donna, although on the meds Sparky’s seizures were increasing in frequency. Donna called the vet and requested another prescription of phenobarbital. The vet’s office instructed Donna to bring Sparky to the office for blood test to rule out liver damage to the dog (from the phenobarbital). In addition to the blood test, Dr Cavallero must examine Sparky in order to get another prescription of phenobarbital. Donna inquired why, she was told that phenobarbital is a controlled substance and Sparky must see Dr. Cavallero. Donna didn’t have the money to pay for the additional blood work and Vet visits every 30 days; Dr Cavallero had donna sign a waiver for the meds, and she only had to bring sparky for a visit once a year. In Donna’s opinion, Dr. Cavallero ordered the monthly blood for two reasons. The blood tests were for both the liver and to ascertain whether or not Sparky was actually being given the phenobarbital.

      Various media outlets have reported about break-ins at Veterinary clinics all over the US. 10/23/2006, Noblesville, Ind; police were investigating a rash of break-ins of veterinary clinics. Police believe the thieves may have been targeting the drug Ketamine. (spencer, 2001)  March 29, 2010 Marlette, MI, An investigation into the theft of drugs during a recent break-in at a Marlette veterinary clinic has resulted in the apprehension of three male subjects. Two vials of ketamine were found on the suspects (BARRINGER, 2010). In my research, I have found many stories on the subject as drug enforcement agencies in the US and Europe start cracking down on medical providers freely writing prescriptions for abused drugs, addicted person will start looookinking elsewhere to obtain prescriptions to feed their addictions. Staff at veterinary clinics must be educated in order to recognise when somebody is looking for drugs for themselves while using their pets as excuses.
Philip K Greis

Works Cited

Lohi, H. et al., 2012. Identification of a Novel Idiopathic Epilepsy Locus in Belgian Shepherd Dogs. PLOS ONE, 7(3).

BARRINGER, C., 2010. Drugs stolen during break-in at vet clinic. The Banner, 29 March, p. 1.

Dennis O'Brien, D. P., 2002. Understanding Your Pet's Epilepsy. [Online]
Available at: http://www.canine-epilepsy.net/basics/basics_index.html
[Accessed 15 June 2013].

Drug Enforcement Administration, August 2011. KETAMINE, s.l.: Drug & Chemical Evaluation Section.

Eldredge, D. M., Carlson, L. D., Carlson, D. G. & Giffin, J. M., 2007. Epilepsy. In: B. Adelman, ed. Dog Owner’s Home VETERINARY Handbook. Hoboken, New Jersey: Wiley Publishing, pp. 369-370.

LeBourgeois III, H. W. M., Foreman, T. A. M. & Thompson Jr., J. W. M., 2002. Novel Cases: Malingering by Animal Proxy. [Online]
Available at: http://www.jaapl.org/content/30/4/520.full.pdf
[Accessed 17 June 2013].

Perez, E. M. & Zieve, D. M., 2012. Barbiturate intoxication and overdose. [Online]
Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000951.htm
[Accessed 16 June 2013].

spencer, T. R. 6. N., 2001. Vet Clinics Targeted In Rash Of Break-Ins. Noblesville, Ind: s.n.

Stanford Hospitals and Clinics, 2013. Epidemiology (the numbers) of Epilepsy. [Online]
Available at: http://stanfordhospital.org/clinicsmedServices/COE/neuro/epilepsy/patientEducation/causes.html
[Accessed 15 june 2013].

More Research Needed

There seems to be very little research on the subject of additives in dog food and their potential affects on behavior. I don't mean the actual main source of protein, I'm talking about any food coloring and other ingredients that have no nutritional value. I have read studies on the subject involving children, but never canines. 

No More Leash jerks or "Pops"

I've seen plenty of so-called Dog Trainer instructing people how to take control of their dog pulling on-lead. Would you call jerking the leash while the dog has a choke or a prong collar on "Training"?
I don't think so. I have no problem using training collars, such as   prong collars in certain situations; they work if it's used correctly. With or without a training collar ,there is a much better way to have your dog stop pulling on-lead. Real Trainers or Behavior Counselors can show you. when you are in need of a trainer, make sure (before you commit) you ask questions about his/her training methods. You want to hear the they use "Positive Reinforcement" methods.

Pet Perspectives: Dog Owners Debate Breeders Vs. Rescue

http://boston.cbslocal.com/2013/06/13/pet-perspectives-dog-owners-debate-breeders-vs-rescue-when-choosing-their-pets/

Pack Leader Myth

The subject of domesticated dogs as pack animals has made a fortune for a television Trainer here in the United States. His theory of “the pack leader” for training purposes is his sole programme of gaining compliance from his client’s dogs. What I have witnessed is a man use submission techniques that have no place in the modern world to instill fear into dogs until they comply. This has nothing to do with dogs as pack animals. We humans are not pack leaders; we are humans. Dogs do not “see” humans as dogs in a pack or pack leaders or pack anything. On my website www.educatemymutt.com, I have a brief discussion on the subject of the “pack leader” theory. In my opinion, it has no basis for training purposes at all (Greis, 2010). Based on my knowledge of the history of dogs, one of the main behaviors that set them apart from their closest relatives, the grey wolf is the domesticated dog’s inherited ability to live with a human family with no other dogs, and be perfectly happy for a lifetime doing so. Take that same dog, go to a dog park, and majority of the time, the dogs will run together and play together without incident. On her website, “The Canine Mind”, Canine Psychologist Lizi Angel (Angel, 2007-2012) discusses the human-dog bond. She states when a dog challenges and threatens a human (I’d rather use the term “becomes aggressive”), it’s not because the dog wants to become the pack leader, it’s because we do not understand the dog’s temperament type and we need to teach the dog how to use alternative , acceptable, peaceful ways to get what 
dog wants. Angel further states that through thousands of years of domestication dog have chosen to leave the pack life behind and now proximate their social life with humans. They come to read our 'left-gaze bias', which means the right side of our faces display the true emotions we are feeling. In other words, dogs learned to read our faces. They naturally gaze at us. This is something a dog would never do with another dog. Dogs naturally communicate with humans. Angel comments on the obsession with people attempting to “speak” dog and acting as a pack leader and how all this not necessary. We need to “aspire to be the best provider, teacher and companion to our dogs, and put ourselves squarely back into the human part of the human-canine bond”.  An article in the May 2009 Bristol University news reports of a study conducted by the University’s’ Department of Clinical Veterinary Sciences shows how dogs have been misjudged for generations. The paper submitted to the Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research called “Dominance in domestic dogs – useful construct or bad habit?” discovered that dogs are not attempting to maintain themselves in a pack hierarchy, and any dog training using “dominance reduction” is likely to cause more unwanted behaviors than cure them. Dr. Rachel Casey Senior Lecturer in Companion Animal Behaviour and Welfare at Bristol University said:  “The blanket assumption that every dog is motivated by some innate desire to control people and other dogs is frankly ridiculous”. Any coercive training techniques which compromise the safety of the dog can cause behavioral problems. In her clinic, Dr. Casey has seen dog that has learned to show aggression to avoid anticipated punishment. Dr Casey further States “Sadly, many techniques used to teach a dog that his owner is leader of the pack is counter-productive; you won’t get a better behaved dog, but you will either end up with a dog so fearful it has suppressed all its natural behaviours and will just do nothing, or one so aggressive it’s dangerous to be around.” (News from the University, 27 May 2009) Unfortunately, this is the type of behavior I have seen in dogs on the popular ‘pack leader” show here in the states. I have seen dogs on his show shy away with their ears back, necks and heads low which he calls “calm submissive” or some other non-sense. I call it fear. I recently reviewed the site of the TV dog trainer who uses the pack oriented training methods. He has an e-mail page where people can send him questions and he will answer their concerns. One person wrote about how her Son left for college and her two dogs, a puggle and a German sheppard dog were acting different. The puggle (female) urinated in the home (she claims the dog never did prior) and the GSD was “moping around”.  In my opinion, without an interview, it seems the two dogs were feeling a little separation anxiety since the son left home and probably would recoup in a few days if the parents resume normal activities with the dogs (both dogs are under 5 years old). The trainer had a different slant on the whole scenario. Without asking questions whether the dogs were neutered and/or spayed, this was part of his response:  She’s eliminating in the place where your son’s scent is, as this was the person who triggered her when they went on her walk. Or, perhaps your son represented the dominant energy in the house. “The German shepherd moping around means that he is the weaker energy, so the Pug is taking the more dominant role in your son’s absence by marking her scent over your son’s”. “With the testosterone gone, the estrogen kicks in. The biologically and psychologically dominant role is in question, and since the German shepherd won’t take over, the Pug is doing it”. “In Mother Nature, this is normal pack mentality to maintain balance”. He then goes on how to create a new routine for the dogs. But the last bit of advice he gave them is disturbing and I don’t know where he is going with this: “And most importantly, be aware you’re your energy. They are trying to tell you something”. “Work on your calm, assertive leadership!” (Millan, August 29 2011). I believe I have presented several examples of writings by educated and experienced people whom I agree; the domesticated dog is not a pack animal and should not be treated as a pack animal for the purposes of training. The studies have shown that rank-reduction, or any other dominance busting training causes more behavior problems in dogs. The best methods time and time again are “Positive Reinforcement” & actually understanding how dogs learn.

Philip K Greis

OCD Dogs, People Have Similar Brains; Is Your Dog OCD?

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/06/130610-ocd-dogs-health-animals-science-brains/

Mission accomplished! The starving dogs rescued from Romania

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2338197/Mission-accomplished-The-starving-dogs-rescued-Romania-Liz-Jones-fellow-canine-angels-arrive-UK--million-remain-appalling-squalor.html

Dog lovers face backlash as Iran challenges pet trade

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4389538,00.html

Tips to keep your canine cool this summer

http://www.sunherald.com/2013/06/06/4717772/tips-to-keep-your-canine-cool.html

Should we do away with words like 'master' and 'pet'?

http://www.silive.com/relationships/index.ssf/2013/03/should_we_do_away_with_words_like_master_and_pet.html

Closing Canine Gene Pools

The short answer for the question regarding problems associated with selective breeding for specific qualities is yes. Is there scientific evidence to substantiate this claim? The answer again is yes. In my research, I have found evidence over and over again, if the gene pools of full-bred dogs do not expand, genetic disorders do increase. In 2003, at the AKC Canine Health Foundation Conference in St Louis, Mo, Dr. Jerold Bell DVM spoke about “Popular Sire Syndrome”. According to Dr Bell, there is a tendency to breed a winning sire with certified hip and eye clearance (meaning no hip or eye problems certified by a recognized association) or no epileptic breedings to epileptic dams. No matter how healthy the sire is, too much breeding can shift the gene pool in the direction of the sire and cause a loss of genetic diversity. It’s not a matter of what bad recessive genes the sire is carrying; it’s only a matter of when they will cause problems in future generations of the sire’s lineage. Dr Bell called this the “Founder’s Effect” Dr Bell further states that problems that inbreeding depression causes in purebred populations comes from the effects of deleterious recessive genes. When homozygous, they cause impaired health. Lethal recessive genes place a drain on the gene pool and can cause smaller litter size and new-born deaths. Other deleterious recessive genes can cause immune system problems and other diseases. (Jerold S. Bell, 2003)

     In an article for BARK magazine, Dr. Jane Brackman, PhD writes how 25% of the world’s dog breeds today were created in the between 1859 and 1900. Prior to that, she states “any hodge-podge of similar-looking dogs performing similar tasks was awarded the right to be called a breed”. She continues on to talk about the creation of dog shows such as Crufts and Westminster created strict breed standards, which led to a common gene pool. Dr. Brackman further states this continuation of the strict conformity to the standards led to homozygosity, which the downside is disease and unsoundness. She claims as a result of this “concentration of form”, today’s dogs suffer from more than 350 genetic illnesses. She interviewed Professor Mark Neff at UC Davis whose team has been researching this problem and has expanded on some results that was discovered during earlier studies. Dr. Neff and his team have found a single mutated gene that is sensitive to several modern medicines including anti-cancer meds, and an anti-heartworm drug called ivermectin. This sensitivity to the meds may cause death.  This mutation has gone unnoticed for over one hundred years. They discovered there must have been a common ancestor for at least the following nine breeds of dogs and the percentage of the frequency of the  mutated genes:  Collie (54.6%), Long-haired Whippet (41.6%), Miniature Australian Shepherd (25.9%), Silken Wind hound (17.9%), McNab (17.1%), Australian Shepherd (16.6%), Shetland sheepdog (8.4%), English Shepherd (7.1%) and the Old English Sheepdog (3.6%). (Jane Brackman, The Bark, Issue 34, Jan/Feb 2006) In a film released by the BBC called “Pedigree Dogs Exposed”, the very subject of selectively breeding and the consequences was the entirety of the film. If there was any doubt that closed gene pools, limited gene pools, in-breeding, etc. has any detrimental genetic effects on a dog breed, this film will cast out any doubts you may have. The dog breed that appears to be the major subject of the film is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. According to the film, in the UK this beautiful little breed is plagued with a neurological disorder known as “Syringomyelia” This is a condition where the back half of the dog’s skull is too small to accommodate the brain’s cerebellum. This causes an enormous amount of pain to the dogs. From watching the film, it appears to be nightmarish. This disease has been directly linked to the small gene pool for the breed. It is a problem for the breed in the United States as well. The film discusses other breeds with genetic disorders associated to the breeds. German Shepard’s hind legs appear to be lower to the ground and almost dragging. This is a direct result of the strict breed standard established by The Kennel Club UK. Another genetic mutation that was a total surprise to me is the Rhodesian ridgeback. According to Dr James Kirkwood, The ridge on the ridgeback is a sign of a genetic disorder known as dermoid sinus which is similar to human spina bifida. This is a condition whereby the backbone and spinal canal do not close prior to birth. The ironic thing is the puppies born without the ridge are considered mutations by breeders and are “put down”, but in reality actually born without the genetic defect. It was also brought out in the film although there are 10,000 pugs in the UK; in actually there is only enough genetic diversity for 50 healthy pugs. These are dogs that are plagued with numerous genetic disorders from selective breeding habits. (Pedigree Dogs Exposed, 2008) There are ways to perpetuate the breeds and create healthier lines. This is known and can be done. All that needs to be done is diversify the breeding stock by importing from other countries that have excellent breeding programs. The Swedish Kennel Club has banned all close in-breeding. The problem is as long as the show game is lucrative and profitable, the show breeders will continue business as usual until the genetic disorders will become so bad, the sires will become sterile or the dams will produce no litters. Looking at the big picture, would it be so bad if pure bred dogs could not breed anymore? All pure breeds are a result of man playing god and the consequences of this failed experiment are being felt by the innocent victims who rely solely on us to take care of them. Mixed breed dogs are stronger, healthier, live longer, and make great family friends. Maybe that’s the future of dogs.  Philip K Greis