Re: [pyrnet] Dwarfism

["Barb Bowes" <bamb@monmouth.com>]

Many bloodlines out there carry the gene or have the potential
for it. As many of the dogs in the US are related somewhere in
the pedigree if you go back far enough. It's there, breeders need
to be aware it's there and as there is no test at this point that
can detect the gene, breeders must know their bloodlines. I
disagree with the statement that they do not look too much
different than their normal sized counterparts. To me, they look
very different. A Pyr that is 16" at the withers which has the
head and tail (and often the length of body) of a normal sized
Pyr to me looks "very" different. One must also be aware that
there are different "types" of dwarfism in dogs, just as there is
in people. So the manifestation of this genetic condition can be
somewhat different.

Barb Bowes
Bo & Chelsea (Pyrs) & Flopsy (Pyr Shep)
The more people I meet, the more I like my dog!
bamb@monmouth.com