breeders - Page 5

Gard

Very well said!  There are two people that came to mind that post every day to promate their dogs, and when it comes to advice on breeding or training, they are nowhere to be found.  I started two tracking threads a week ago.  We got a lot of good feedback, but these people we talk about, were of on a promotional tour. 

Spook - I will tell you I in no way meant to misrepresent what you said - and I am sincerely sorry if I misinterpreted what you had to say...but that was sort of the idea I got from that point...again I apologize if that was wrong.  I am not a liar - maybe I am reading your statements incorrectly but that is the problem with the internet - it is sometimes hard to get the point response and words can quite often be misread.

The only point I am trying to make here is that there is no fact to support either thesis so there is no right or wrong answer...it is purely what people feels will make the best of their breeding program.  I dont know if bloat is genetic or if it isnt because I have no way of knowing...there is nothing stating either is right...I looked in the J.Heredity as well as a Veterinary Journal.

Again - I am sorry for getting your point wrong.

~Cate

I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse.

Ceph, Thank you. My only point was, we have to strive to be as completely truthful as possible when we make such statement. We all have opinions and a right to them. When it sounds as if people want to call them a fact then I'll object.

I asked 4 questions on my original post just to point something out. They were addressed to one person and rhetorical in nature.

Does anyone know what became of the DNA study for Bloat? That would be very interesting to see if they found a marker.

http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/bulletins_read/80895.html#81557

I also have read on other sites another idea concerning Bloat has to do with dog food and yeast. Food for thought... What is your take on the below links?

http://www.greatdanelady.com/articles/bloat_and_torsion_is_nutrition_a_factor.htm

http://therobertabadydogfoodcoltd.com/hip_dysplasia.htm

http://www.urbanwolf.ca:80/

I believe Dr. Pletcher's study is still taking place.

The great Dane Lady is a nut.

The third and fourth sites appear to be advertisement.

Trailrider, that study is probably not under way yet. I've been watching for something on the Scripps website, but have seen nothing about it or Pletcher's study on the behavior of herding breeds.  I believe Pletcher is a human behaviorist, not a veterinary researcher so we may not be privy to his conclusions for a very long time assuming he even manages to isolate a gene or genes that could identify carriers or dogs that are likley to bloat as they age. I think the GSDCA was promoting both studies and asking their membership for for blood samples from qualifying GSD's, so there might be some info on their website in the "for members" section. 

I suspect that any conclusive studies regarding the genetic influence/s (or not) of gastric torsion are far in the future. We may never know if there actually is a gene or a series of genes that predispose/s  dogs to this condition. Mother Nature throws us another curve ball .

Dr. Plectcher is a biologist with a doctorate in Human Genetics.

Thanks, Spook, his biography also says his research, Genetics of Depression and Anxiety, focuses in the genetics of complex behavioral disorders. I assume his interest in the herding breeds may have some sort of coorelation with his work with the human genome?  Not sure why he is interested in torsion.

Spook...why do you think the Great Dane Lady is a nut? Be nice!!!

I realise the other two were on sites that sell dog food but it just seems to me that there could be a link to dog food and Bloat, does anyone know if wild canines (wolf or coyote etc.) have been found to bloat?