Hips: Opinion Poll - Page 2

Good posts. Incorrect diet has been well demonstrated to worsen and even cause joint deformities. Weight and related stress are not the only factors. Another problem is rapid joint development caused by an unbalanced diet. Rapid growth especially when some components are lacking has been shown to cause developmental deformities. Just as a slow growing tree develops a hard fine grain that is strong and resilient, so an animal that grows slowly tends to be less prone to weakness. Additionally, in fast growth any disruption of the growth process is dramatically amplified leading to a much larger deformity than might have occurred in a slower growing animal. It has been well documented that the natural incidence of CHD is directly proportionate to the size of the dog. Very large dogs are FAR more prone to HD than the GSD and small dogs far less. This can be directly linked to growth rate, demand for the raw materials of bone/joint formation, and weight/stress on the forming joints. It has been well documented in closed population studies by professional breeders of working dogs that CHD can be eliminated by dietary means. However, a nominal percentage of dogs developed mild CHD after placement outside the control of the breeder. This suggests that the diet is at least in part a masking factor. My recommendation is the breeding of ONLY the very lowest ZW dogs and bitches with ONLY normal hips and elbows followed by a biologically appropriate diet of fresh raw muscle, bone, tendon, and organ meats. Whole pieces are best as chewing is important both to digestion and to dental health. Best Wishes, Jonah