If you read that article you will see that there are many disorders that are equally likely to occur in pure bred and mixed breed dogs - because they are widespread across the dog population in general (ie were present in the gene pool before breeds were split off). Hip displaysia is one of these. Some disorders are more prevalent in pure breds, but it depends on the breed. And ruptured cruciates are more prevalent in mixed breeds. The authors make the point that pure breed dog breeders do a lot of testing, while mixed breed dog breeders do not, contributing to the impression that pure breed dogs have many problems while mixed breed dogs do not. The reality is that dogs, as a whole population, carry a lot of inherited disorders relative to other kinds of animals (except humans which probably carry more), so the likelihood of any dog carrying a problem has to be considered. The best bet is, and always will be, genetic testing and health testing.
I have to say, it's not of that much interest. If mixed breed dogs are as susceptible, I won't be having one of those either.
Maybe...even if we dug through all the literature, we'd just end up with a long list of studies that we could argue about. I do think it's about pedigree dogs, although appreciate that the counter factual may not be a random set of cross breeds, but careful cross breeding over some generations. In the case of cruciate disease, from what I've read, Labradors are 2.5 times more likely to suffer than other breeds, this is increasing (perhaps dramatically), there is no test for the recessive gene, problems often show up way after breeding age, and they suspect there may be a high number of healthy carrier dogs in the Labrador population (according to the Universities Federation of Animal Welfare). So that definitely looks like it adds up to a pedigree Labrador problem to me.
I'm sorry I've got behind on Charlie news the last few days. Hope your all still having a lovely time in Cornwall and Charlie looks really well back in his rightful spot. I hope the elbow turn out to be referred pain. My friends dog had a cruciate op and a few months ago she had a problem with her front leg. The vet told my friend it was probably due to a change in the way she was walking because of the cruciate. Fingers crossed you lot have been through enough.
I hope so anyway. We've had a nice break, yes, thank you. A bit stressful at times because the house isn't quite as safe for Charlie as home, but still very nice. Driving home, back to work now....2 weeks until x-Rays now.
The I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed for Charlie, Mabel sends big Labrador licks. He is one beautiful boy. I'm with you entirely on owning a pedigree. This Thursday is the second anniversary of the death of our beloved black lab, who died aged 5. He had a massive blood clot in the heart. As you know Mabel is recovering from surgery. Life is cruel. The specialist we saw last week said of all the labs brown ones tend to have the worst problems. It's because they are actually rare compared to the other colours. He said the best colour to have was golden. As others have mentioned it's all down to the gene pool. Hugs and kisses to you and Charlie. Xx
Sorry to hear about the loss of your boy - anniversaries can be hard. There isn't a good reason to link coat colour and genetic problems in Labradors - as far as I can discover, anyway, although I didn't find much material on this what there is doesn't support a link. It may be the case that some lines carry more problems than others but there is no reason to think that a brown dog will have more problems than a black dog from the same litter. As far as cruciate problems go, the only thing I found (from one vet who claimed he had a study but I never saw it) suggested that working line dogs (so predominately black) are more likely to suffer - in the past this was put down to a higher likelihood of trama in working dogs (before it was known there is an underlying genetic weakness) but I have never seen that myself in papers even though I've searched.
I think you're right, the trouble is at the moment I've read so many different articles and listened to so many different people. I suppose at this stage I want concrete answers and I can't find them . It's the same as when I first bought Mabel and I had lots of comments oh chocolate they are impossible to train they are so silly. She's actually no sillier than Harvey. At the end of the day they are gorgeous lovely Labradors, I'm going to stop researching.
Hah - only Chocolate owners are allowed to say Chocolates are nuts. If an owner of a black Labrador says it....oh dear.... But, Charlie is nuts. Totally, completely and utterly nuts.
Well, back to Greyfriars for a check up and (since the check up was all clear) his first treadmill session. He got good marks on the check up - fully weight bearing on his left rear (the recent op leg) - he was messing about so much on the gait analysis pad (again ) he managed to get better marks on his op leg than his "good" leg. This was just because he was jumping around. He even managed to knock the radiator off the wall and generally wreak the physio lady's office - she said "he hasn't changed then, I doubt he ever will now" . Very good news that he isn't lame on his front at all now, no inflammation, no tenderness, and a full range of normal motion. The rotation test wasn't repeated because it's potentially painful and we can just assume it would still be painful and that wouldn't change any treatment plan. So no point in risking it. But so far as it goes, all positive. The physio lady (who I rate very highly, she was the one that diagnosed Charlie's cruciate problems originally when the vets missed it) said she doubted that Charlie has any worse elbows than any Labrador that is a keen retriever - so that made me feel better. We had to wait in the pool area for a bit while other dogs cleared (there is a sort of one way system through the physio area, pool, treadmill, shower, drying sheds). I was pleased because I've been working on a new settle cue of my hand on the top of his tail (when I'm sat down) and it worked a dream. Here we are, being very calm around water (for all of you thinking "so what?" all I can say is you've never met Charlie ). no pool by julieandcharlie julieandcharlie, on Flickr Onto the treadmill - and he loved it. If you are Charlie, what's not to love about 4 women standing round admiring you walk? And chew your toy. He remembered where the toy bucket was, and picked an orange tube and a purple ball. He did 4 sessions (the maximum allowed at this point) and it had no impact on him whatsoever - he didn't tire at all, so the watertreadmill ladies said they would ask the physio lady if he can do longer sessions next time. [click pic for vid] - he is on a break here, I can't get a vid when he is walking as I have the very important job of holding his toys outside the glass so he walks towards them. treadmill by julieandcharlie julieandcharlie, on Flickr The only blight on the day was when I was drying his boy bits after the shower he yelped. I can't see anything wrong so am hoping that the towel just caught a normally sensitive bit and it's nothing. Worry, worry......
That's all great to hear. He'll be good as new soon. Maybe his bits just got a bit pinched in the fold of a towel. Don't worry!
I'm glad Monty's getting on so well and looks calm in the treadmill. Love the way he worked out how to get his toy without ducking right under!
I always just want to jump right through the iPad screen and give Charlie and big hug! He's a gorgeous boy.
He's looking good, Julie! Good news about the elbows - have you put that worry to rest or is there still more tests to come? Try not to worry about the "bits", they do seem to be a particularly sensitive part of the male anatomy
It's the surgeon on the 20th that has the final say about what we do about elbows. After the scan he said that it was possible the changes (in coronoid process and gait) were a result of weight shift to the front - so we'd look again when Charlie's hind legs are sorted. I think at a minimum there will be a regular programme of checks going forward, but of course I'd prefer that than any more procedures..... We haven't had any more boy bit trouble - so yes, am hoping that was just an over enthusiastic drying routine on my part!
