Genetic illnesses

FAJ · Enlightened One

Genetic illnesses

bluesmumanddad · Master

How did you find out about their illnesses? Like many others blue is also related to i'm slippy and sandman - Noticed Blue's dad is marked as deseased was only born 1996 wondered what he died of (Beech prince)

FAJ · Enlightened One

From another website, where people started a thread on "is my greyhound related to your greyhound". Will PM you the details.

JanW · Master

Can I have the details as well please?

Janet

FAJ · Enlightened One

Janet - I've PMed you with the details.

I'm sorry, folks, I didn't intend to cause any undue alarm. I suppose it's inevitable that well-performing dogs will be used for stud purposes given the big buck that can be made, and that carries with it the risk of passing on inherited diseases. Equally, though, it doesn't mean that these diseases WILL be passed on, and that our precious doggies aren't going to enjoy long, happy, healthy lives.

I was wallowing in a bit of self-pity when I first posted and, like I say, don't mean to cause any worry to other peeps.

Fiona

greyluvver · GAL Membership Co-Ordinator

fiona, I'm Slippy and Sandman are also ancestors of our Tyler's. Please can give me the web address also, thanks

CAROLE ROBINSON · Old Hand

My old boy Reilly also has I'm Slippy and Sandman in his pedigree and is extremely fit and healthy - he will be 12 in August. Ruby (just 10) is also related to I'm Slippy and again, fit and healthy!

Dave · Enlightened One

good point Carole! one of our old boys, Brandy (racing name Elegant Brandy) was grandson to BOTH I'm Slippy and Sandman, we lost him last year at the grand old age of 12..

CAROLE ROBINSON · Old Hand

I would like to know where the "corn" gene comes from tho'! I've noticed that it's a really persistent problem for some greys but the majority never suffer from the problem.

Suzanne · Guru

hate to rock the boat or anything here but I have restrained myself so far...

I may not be popular saying this but, we have one of the healthiest breeds of dogs going. They are prone to hardly any medical probs (more racing injuries). In comparison to owning something like a lab, retriever, german shepherd, king charles etc - these dogs have been so over bred for certain characteristics that they are now riddled with problems & disliked by vets everywhere as there is always something wrong with them...

Greyhounds arent like that, they have only been bred for speed & a pleasant confident nature so there has actually been very little interferance in the breed profile for thousands of years now.

Would you lie awake at night worrying yourself silly that your great aunt 2nd removed had such & such a condition - NO. You get on with your life with a "whatever will be" attitude ( I hope) - so dont let genetics even into the picture. Enjoy your dog...no-one has any control over what is going to happen to them & when, so why over analyse??

Anyone for playing ball in the park???

Carol · Master

Yip Susanne,

I totally agree. I had six GSDs as a child and I watched every one of them die before they reached their tenth birthday.

GSDs are extremely prone to problems such as hip displaysia, and the shape and length of their backs means that often, with age, the neurones deteriorate and they begin to lose control of their back legs. We knew these problems when we took them on but it didn't stop us loving them and we didn't spend sleepless nights worrying about the 'what ifs' and 'maybes'.

In comparison, Greys are extremely trouble-free and, as far as I know, have one of the longest lifespans of any purebreed. You probably have more chance of one breaking its leg running round the park as you would of it contracting a genetic illness. Does that stop you letting your dog do what it loves to do? I guess most of you would say, 'no'.

I am a firm believer in the old saying, 'what will be will be'. That's how I try to live my own life and if I am blessed enough to have my dogs until they pass happily in their sleep at a ripe old age, that's fantastic. However, should they go tomorrow, I would miss them dreadfully but I would still know that I gave them the best life I could, doing things they love to do and living life to the full.

That's as much as you can do. Live for today and love them while they're here!!