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Date Posted: 16:37:35 03/21/10 Sun
Author: Lucinda
Subject: Re: Fixing Poor Physical Structure
In reply to: Jenny W 's message, "Re: Fixing Poor Physical Structure" on 00:15:50 03/21/10 Sun

Hi Jenny,

As usual, you make a lot of sense but I think we approach this slightly differently because we have different requirements. You grow sugar cane, I'm a livestock farmer.

I want dogs that:

1. are effective farm guards (otherwise I'd have collies)
- requires the desire to protect, courage enough to do so and a clear head so as not to go over the top.

2. good stock dogs
- requires intelligence, biddable, courage and 'hardness', high drive, strong work ethic, clear head, high energy and stamina. It also needs the instinct to push stock, not just prey drive but a desire to make the stock do as the dog commands.

I also like to compete in obedience and other dog sports but a dog, which has the requisites to make a good stock dog will probably also do OK in these fields.

I can't compromise on any of the mental qualities required for a good stock dog because without the complete mental package the dog can't do the job at all.

So I'll rule out all the really life-threatening physical faults, heart defects, bad hips, really bad elbows etc. but when I picked which pups to keep, I did so purely on character and drive. There were other pups with much better conformation but if they don't have the drives I need, it won't do me any good.

I'd agree that lack of angulation is one of the major problems in the breed and my dogs are as poor as any in this respect.

However, for me the acid test of conformation lies in the dog's ability to stand up to the work on the farm. I x-ray and vet test as much as possible (hip and elbow scores are excellent, thank goodness) but there are few more physically demanding jobs than working livestock. Any weaknesses will be found.

Of course, in an ideal world, I'd like the whole package; all the necessary nerve, stock sense and drive + good conformation.

Show me a dog like this and 1. it will have been bred by David Harris and 2. it won't be for sale. LOL

I've always wondered what's involved with running a sugar cane farm and would be interested to hear what your dogs' role is?

kind regards,
Lucinda
Ps I think we have at leat two different causes of cruciate problems within the breed, poor angulation, which is rife and weak ligaments. I've seen quite a few Boerboels with decent angulation, whose cruciates just seem to wear out. There's some interesting research in Mastiffs and I think also Newfies, which points towards weak ligaments rather than lack of angulation as the root cause. This is not to say that straight hind legs aren't a problem, they are but unfortunately probably not the only one. LFN

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