More dog pics

[Guerrilla]

No white german shepherds can occur in any litter (even sable + sable mating) as it is a recessive gene, I have seen quite a few but generally you would pass them off as husky/samoyed type of dogs and not GSD's.

I see, thanks for clearing that up, my dog has some GSD in him (the vet thinks) as his colour is the common GSD colour, but he is short-haired and classed as a lurcher, though we have no clue exactly what he has in him.

Anyhow, hopefully Max will be ok when he grows up a bit...it seems he has fallen lucky to have an owner who is trying so hard for him.

 

[Hatter The Mad]

This is why we don't get pedigree GSDs anymore (after we had one) - it just isn't fair to keep them. If it isn't HD, it is crippling arthritis. Kind of the same, but not to the same extent, with Labs.

 

[HarryPainful]

I used to have a German Shep, a long haired one

I know what you mean about the back legs, happened to mine, he had a good innings though, 16 years old!!

 

[wordy]

Not really true mate, what you describe is for show gsd's, Max is of working lines and as such doesn't have the sloping back.

KaHn

Ahh ok, good point

 

[Sime]

Sorry to hear of Max's possible trouble in the future

Lovely pics mate. Although you already know how much I think Max is stunning

 

[Gypo]

You have a lovely pair of dogs KaHn, i have a German Shepard aged 5 and he has hip and joint problems (well early signs) and in the past i've had a rottwieller that had HD and was on metacam for the late period in his life and it did ease it a little bit but in the end he couldnt walk and we had to let him go

GS are beautiful dogs and my last two have been GS, but it's a damn shame that they suffer with this condition.

Hope you can beat it though and keep exercising them!

 

[KaHn]

This is why we don't get pedigree GSDs anymore (after we had one) - it just isn't fair to keep them. If it isn't HD, it is crippling arthritis. Kind of the same, but not to the same extent, with Labs.

You do realise any dog can get HD and also dogs with very good hip scores can suffer from HD.

If you wish to only keep mongrul dogs due to them being care free then do so but I would prefer it if you kept those opinions to your self.

KaHn

 

[Hatter The Mad]

You do realise any dog can get HD and also dogs with very good hip scores can suffer from HD.

Yes, but it is more of a genetic predisposition in GS, labs etc (from my own experience, with a GS (called Max, funnily enough ) and my half of other, who is a vet).

I would prefer it if you kept those opinions to your self.

Public forum, public discussion.

 

[Wicksta]

A friend of mine had to install wheels on the back of his GSD when his back legs went, he seemed happy enough though.

 

[KaHn]

You have a lovely pair of dogs KaHn, i have a German Shepard aged 5 and he has hip and joint problems (well early signs) and in the past i've had a rottwieller that had HD and was on metacam for the late period in his life and it did ease it a little bit but in the end he couldnt walk and we had to let him go

Thats a real shame about the rotty, I hope I never have to keep Max on Metacam for prolonged period (side effects include severe liver problems, instant fatality due to liver problems) so with the Cosequin DS (glucosamine) it should stop the deteriation of the ligaments and with the correct type of exercise (offlead but no ball chasing agility stuff) it would mean he can live out his life with out using pain killers or steriods.

KaHn

 

[KaHn]

Public forum, public discussion.

Yet you still spout the crap the Mongruls cost less in the long run?

KaHn

 

[Wicksta]

Yet you still spout the crap the Mongruls cost less in the long run?

KaHn

To be fair to him I've also noticed that GSDs really do seem to suffer with these kind of problems more than any other dog. I don't really see why you are getting so wound up by his posts, they weren't rude.

 

[agnes]

Yea, kahn mate, dont think he had the intention of being rude.

Lets talk about fluffy little pets not whos best

ags

 

[KaHn]

To be fair to him I've also noticed that GSDs really do seem to suffer with these kind of problems more than any other dog. I don't really see why you are getting so wound up by his posts, they weren't rude.

Sorry these are past posts which are coming up now, not really the ones aimed at GSDs, I knew what I was getting into when I got Max and as such knew the correct method of limiting the effects of HD.

All I am getting at is that someone coming into a thread and then stating a very broad post about how people should get pedigree GSD as its "not fair"

Also some past posts about pedigree dogs being harder to train and also more costly to keep.

I won't go into the feeding comments made in burnseys thread either.

KaHn

 

[Hatter The Mad]

KaHn, do you give Max glucosamine? Normally the vet will tell you to give it to the dog once the usual symptoms start, but it is safe to start them on it now. It is an inexpensive herbal supplement that makes the joints supple.

 

[KaHn]

Cosequin DS as posted above, also not all Glucosamine supplements are suitable for dogs, Cosequin DS is the only one proven to help with the effects of HD.

Some further info re Cosequin that I havent sent you
Cosequin, with its exclusive combination of high purity glucosamine, low molecular weight chondroitin sulfate and manganese ascorbate, is the only glucosamine/ chondroitin supplement that has been documented safe, effective, and bioavailable in published, peer-reviewed, controlled, veterinary U.S. clinical studies.
Chondroitin sulfate is a large molecule that is difficult to absorb. Cosequin is the only brand that uses the high purity, low molecular weight chondroitin sulfate that has been studied for absorption. Lower molecular weight means the particle size of the molecule is smaller and more easily absorbed by the digestive system than other less pure forms of chondroitin sulfate. While this highly pure form of chondroitin sulfate is more expensive, it is the only one supported by published, controlled U.S. clinical studies for efficacy, safety and absorption.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Nutraceutical Association showed that over 80% of glucosamine/chondroitin brands did not even meet their own label claim.

KaHn

 

[Hatter The Mad]

Yet you still spout the crap the Mongruls cost less in the long run?

When have I ever said that Mongrels cost more in the long run, as they live (on average) 2-4 years longer than pedigree dogs.

And, following Burcham's law (I'll have to double check I have spelled that correctly), the cost of maintaining a pet extrapolates with age - so you run longer and further into the more expensive stages with a mongrel than what you would do a pedigree.

So no, I do not think that a mongrel dog is cheaper to maintain in the long run. My only negative comment about keeping some breeds of pedigree dog was on the fairness to the animal (and I am a hypocritical, learned the hard way). And the question of fairness is a compassionate one, and there is no answer to it - only opinion, after a consideration of positives and negatives. I was sharing mine.

 

[KaHn]

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14090642&postcount=10

^^ that's the main one I thought was crap, also saying that Dry food is good for dogs teeth is another vet lie but never mind.

Also suggesting that new dog owners feed Pedigree wet food is just silly, that is probably the worse brand of dog food going.

KaHn

 

[Hatter The Mad]

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14090642&postcount=10

Ok, I didn't explain myself properly there. The vet bills are still more expensive (more consultations, more surgery) for pedigree dogs (just ask your vet - from what type do you fetch more money? Pedigree, or mongrel?).

However, the cost of specialist food, supplements and drugs make a mongrel more expensive to maintain for *its* life time.

However, compare "10 years of owning a pedigree" to "10 years of owning a mongrel", and I guarantee that the total cost of owning the pedigree for the same length of time is greater.

 

[Hatter The Mad]

^^ that's the main one I thought was crap, also saying that Dry food is good for dogs teeth is another vet lie but never mind.

No, it isn't a vet lie. It is a fact - for healthy teeth, a dog has to have something hard, crunchy and/or chewie in its diet (whether you give the dogs bones, chews or dried hide as snacks - or a mix of wet and dry food). Dogs who just eat wet or fresh food, and only that, have bad dental health. Fact. Not only does it improve dental health, but it provides a chew and crunch behavioural craving that dogs have (going back to their scavenger roots).

Also suggesting that new dog owners feed Pedigree wet food is just silly, that is probably the worse brand of dog food going.

Again, false. It is a slightly above-average pet food, sitting just under the likes of Iams, but still miles away from the likes of Royal Canin and Hills. In terms of value, assuming no medical requirements from the diet, Pedigree presents one of the best value in wet food. There are far, far more 'worse' brands of dog food available than Pedigree. Ask for your vet, get the facts.