Saint Bernards Health Disease

For the past couple centuries, dogs have been a large part of human everyday life. We use them as pets, friends, helping hands (paws), etc.; they’ve become an essential part of our lives and we don’t mind that. With a total of 525 million dogs in the world (as of 2012), people have responsibilities of caring for another living creature everywhere. When it comes to picking one of these companions that we know will only be around for a little over a decade (about a tenth of our lives!), people can get very curious about the differences between mixed dog breeds and purebred dogs. While there are quite a number of differences between mixed and purebred, it’s up to dog owners to care accordingly and know what these differences truly mean.

To say the least, selective breeding is hurting this breed and many more may follow in it’s path. With all these warnings from the health problems to the lifespan getting shorter and shorter, you would always assume the good in people to stop it. The fact that these dogs cannot breed by themselves or travel or even have a healthy long life should be a wake-up call to many people. Hopefully, more and more people will read about the issue and try to fix it or atleast try to help the cause. We should stop selective breeding to save the

Inbreeding in the dog’s lineage is one key point of the Pedigree that no one really talks about to the non-showing potential owners; it is indicated by one dog being used to sire multiple lines of the family tree. The AKC does not discourage this and often it is difficult to recognize for a non-showing owner. Many show breeders will not allow their puppies to be purchased by non-show homes in an attempt to preserve their lines. According to “A genetic assessment of the English bulldog”, written by N. Pedersen, A. Pooch, and H. Liu, “there is very little knowledge about the actual genetic status of the breed and whether enough genetic and phenotypic diversity still exists to significantly improve health without further reducing existing genetic diversity or relying on outcrossing”(4) (breed two dogs from different lineage to add fresh blood to the family tree). However, many show breeders believe that they must utilize a sire across more than one line within their pedigree to preserve the specific traits of the breed that make their bloodlines of champion quality. One could argue that in doing so, they are reintroducing certain predispositions back into their own bloodlines two-fold; reinforcing what may be a defect of sorts in their own lines.

There are between 45 to 55 million dogs per household in America (American Humane Association 2012). Furthermore, according to a national survey, the majority of dog owners chose to get a dog for the companionship as the major reason for having a dog (American Animal Hospital Association, 2004). After all, dogs are nonjudgmental, give unconditional love, can be trusted with our most intimate feelings and emotions, and are highly intelligent. These dog characteristics can significantly enhance the lives of thousands of youth and adults, especially those with disabilities and/or those who live in continuing care facilities. There are approximately 20,000 service dogs in the U.S., which includes 10,000 guide dogs (American Humane Association 2012)

Pigmentary Uveitis is an eye disease that mostly affects Golden Retrievers. Pigmentary Uveitis is also known as Golden Retriever Uveitis, cystic glaucoma, or the shortened name of PU. PU is thought to have originated from the Northeastern part of the United States, and was mostly in Golden Retrievers. PU also affects crossbred dogs with Golden’s such as Goldendoodles. Although it is present in crossbreds, the disease still mainly affects Golden Retrievers. This is a genetic disease that affects the eye, and the eye only. “Uveitis is an inflammation of the uveal tract, which includes the iris” (Golden Retriever Uveitis). PU is usually diagnosed around the age of 8.6 years. Which means if they were breeding dogs, they would have already passed it on to their offspring. This genetic disease could spread very quickly, considering the signs are not visible until after they have had offspring. Since breeding programs outside of the United States have different certification standards, researchers do not know if PU has spread to other countries at this time.

Pit bulls can be great protectors. This breed of dog is able to save people. “ On Halloween, a Richmond, Virginia woman was being assaulted by her abusive partner when her dog stepped in. ‘ As any good dog would do, when he saw her in trouble, Chako intervened and came to her aid, trying his best to keep the attacker from hurting his beloved owner.” quoted by http://www.lifewithdogs.tv. This quote demonstrates that pit bulls are willing to put their life in danger for the one they love. Pit bulls are also great dogs for children.

Dr. Julie Gilchrist from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated that, “If anyone says one dog (breed) is more likely to kill ... that's not based on scientific data” (Dr. Julie Gilchrist, 2018). This statement is so very true, just because someone says that a breed is dangerous or is “likely to kill” doesn’t mean that they will. The breed of dogs or their DNA has nothing to do with if they attack or kill someone, it has to do with how they are raised and on their owners actions or behavoirs. Also, a famous actor Patrick Stewart, fostered a Pitbull named Ginger. Patrick Stewart and his wife Sunny Ozel had an interview with ‘Today’s Talk show’ she described to them about her first meeting with Ginger was “The "beautiful, playful, handsome, happy dog," (Arin Greenwood, 2017).

Victoria Wilcher was only 3 years old at the time when her grandfather’s three pit bulls attacked her. Now half her face is paralyzed and she has lost the use of one of her eyes. Per research by Merritt Clifton, the editor of Animals 24-7, an animal-news organization, “Pit bulls make up only 6% of the dog population, but they’re responsible for 68% of dog attacks and 52% of dog related deaths since 1982.” (Thomas, 2014) However, in Florida, a pit bull named Lucy saved her family from an abusive ex-boyfriend who broke into her home when she was away at hospital.

As anyone who has seen a televised dog show can attest, some dogs are deformed in disturbing ways. One might look at the “excessively wrinkled skin of the Chinese Shar-Pei,” the “the flat face of a bulldog,” or the “low-slung eyelids of a Bloodhound” (PBS), and think, “That can not be healthy.” The fact of the matter is that these deformities are far from healthy. As the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) points out, the Shar-Pei’s skin (due to it’s “excessively wrinkled” nature) is prone to skin infections, the Bloodhound’s droopy eyes are practically magnets for eye infection, and the Bulldog’s face is so squished that it can never breathe correctly. While these deformities may be more obvious, overly large or small pedigree dogs have their own slew of health problems (Rooney and Sargan). As Rooney and Sargan disclose, very small dogs (known as toy breeds) often have dislocated kneecaps, heart problems, and trouble staying warm. Big dogs, such as Great Danes, can suffer from heat prostration and orthopedic issues (Rooney and Sargan). According to Rooney and Sargan, almost every purebred breed of dog is more likely to have at least one genetic disease compared to mixed breeds. However, physical problems are not the only thing purebred dogs have to face: behavioral problems are also more prevalent in certain breeds (Rooney and Sargan). Rooney and Sargan reveal that

Humans and dogs have long shared a bond that was based on function. Early dogs that were the least valuable and useful did not make it into today’s time. On the other hand, the most valuable and helpful of dogs remained and created others like them. Ultimately, breed predecessors were produced by breeding the best hunters to the best hunters and the best guards to the best

With a little education and some positive exposure,more of us would see just how wonderful these dogs can be.

Furry Babies, is a well-known store that many Naperville stay-at-home moms go to buy their pure-bred, genetically advanced shih tzu that is definitely 1000 times better than any other dog. These dogs come from the very best 3 foot by 3 foot crib that their locked up in all day to be mangled by people eager to get this amazing dog. We are not really sure what makes these dogs so great but they are definitely better. After paying $6,000 dollars for this dog, many families find it is way too expensive to get their dog spayed/neutered. Which usually results in the dog having puppies. Not like there is millions of dogs in shelters.

The St. Bernard Preparatory School student continuously ratings nicely above the country wide average for college placement tests, including the SAT and ACT. With 100% commencement fee, most graduates attend their first desire of prestigious colleges and universities across the country. St. Bernard is accepted by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and a member of The Association of Boarding schools, the Southern Association of Independent Schools, and the Secondary School of Admission test

Bernard is a person who was misdiagnosed with mental disorder and institutionalized for 18 years at Willowbrook. It was later found trough an accurate diagnosis that he was actually physically disabled from Cerebral Palsy. Although, the referenced conditions mentioned in the Unforgotten report 25 years after Geraldo Rivera’s original report were unjust for any human being, they were much less merited for a person who did not belong in the institution in the first place. Bernard described his experience as being “disgusting”. And, they were. The poor people were not given adequate training/schooling. Those who were able to learn to feed themselves, never learned that basic skill, nor were they provided with the basics of clothing, and

The German Shepherd is not only one of the world's most popular companion dogs, but also probably the most widely used breed for service work. The development of the German Shepherd Dog, along with a number of existing breeds, helped pioneer the modern use of dogs for service and community work that we can see today. For a breed of dog that has only been officially recognised for just over 100 years, it has made an outstanding contribution to mankind worldwide.