Re: [pyrnet] Now dwarfism - (sorry long)

[Steelmoment@aol.com]

In a message dated 12/22/00 12:23:16 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
dgg@star-telegram.com writes:


> I certainly wouldn't want to have dwarfism, but it is one helluva lot
> easier to live with than a blind dog or a dog that is dying of heart
> disease.
>
> Darrell Goolsbee
> Fort Worth, TX


Hello Darrell,

I am so sorry that you had to go through those pains with your babes.   I had 
a poodle who suffered with kidney disease and it was awful - seizures - going 
toxic - trips to the vets constantly and then being put down.   It is a 
heartbreak and kept me from having any dogs for 12 years.    

I am replying to you because you have access to the past GPCA bulletins and I 
believe that is where I read articles about dwarfism many years ago.   There 
were a cluster of articles written by several breeders (pyr) who had dwarfs - 
(I believe it was a GPCA bulletin from many many years ago - but I could be 
wrong) the articles did state that their experiences were awful & 
heartbreaking.    They spoke about watching these little ones go through 
crippling pain, organs growing to a a size which their skeletons could not 
hold.   I remember speaking with Carolyn Hardy on these articles and she new 
the people who experienced this well.    Carolyn (as I think all are aware) 
had a dwarf "Ubu" who she did not hide - she took him places in hopes of 
educating breeders.   I remember her saying "Ubu is one of the few with 
minimal health problems - he is lucky - so many are deform!
ed and go through a 
hell of alot of pain".

These articles and conversations with Carolyn on the subject have stayed with 
me - so it is interesting to hear that many people do not consider this to be 
threatening or less than threatening or heartbreaking to the breed opposed to 
the other diseases.

I guess the point I am trying to make is - dwarfism is very very serious and 
maybe we are only hearing the reports of the ones who are not being put down 
at a couple of weeks of age due to serious problems.   I do not know - maybe 
the dwarfs today are emerging with less health problems due to better overall 
breeding practices?   One thing that I worry about is "what if some 
irresponsible person decides to breed just for dwarfs because they are cute"? 
   

I believe the Health Committee is doing a great job  with the information 
they have obtained.   It is a hope that all will fill out their survey forms 
and breeders will do more testing (despite the costs) to promote healthy 
sound Pyrs and protect this magnificent breed.     

It would also be great to see breeders clear their puppies of certain 
diseases (that they can at that age) prior to selling them - this is costly 
but responsible breeders do not breed to make money.  There are so many 
diseases that can be tested for and I rarely ever see an ad that states for 
example:   Thyroid Normal.   I am glad to see OFA or Penn Hip ratings and 
hopefully we will see in future ads - that they are also cleared for Eye 
Diseases, Heart Diseases and any other inherit diseases out there.    

Wouldn't that be nice!

Just MHO and maybe I am not realistic - but I can hope.

Take care and happy holidays to all.
Dianne Migas - Jersey Shore
Steel Moment Great Pyrenees