Staffie feet

Re: Staffie feet

Alet Engelbrecht — Wed, 16 May 2012 14:16:23 GMT

[quote user="claire godfrey"] Likely hereditary? The owners were planning to breed.[/quote]

Shouldn't breeding be all about truly enhancing the breed in this day and age? We all know about how we as people are able to completely distort the phenotype of an animal to make it look a certain way, by breeding with individuals that have the traits (bulldogs, pugs etc). Regardless of the breed or owner, I would strongly discourage anyone from willfully breeding with a dog that has a known blemish/problem - it may not cause a physical problem in this dog, but somewhere along the line it may lead to the death of litters of puppies when indiscriminate breeding isn't actively avoided. I recently had to put three 'perfect' bull terrier puppies to sleep because they were deaf. Some breeders have their Rhodesian Ridgeback puppies with small changes to the ridge, euthanased. Many of these puppies can be great pets - but have them neutered!

Similarly, I also discourage people from breeding with overly aggressive dogs where possible. A few bad apples give the whole breed a bad name and even though I am sure it falls on deaf ears, surely the thought of breeding should not be entertained by us as professionals. Where I am at the moment, I see an abundance of Chihuahuas and Miniature pinchers - at age 7 they all walk with bow legs from patella luxation, but proud mother of 4 or 5 litters already!

Unfortunately, most staffie owners will also still do whatever they want, but I believe we have an ethical duty to educate as many people as possible.

If everyone unite, we can get rid of a lot of problems within a few short generations - cf PKD in Persians.

Re: Staffie feet

Rachael Winder — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:38:43 GMT

I've seen this a few times, always in SBT (though they make up most of my clientel so perhaps can't read too much into that). Keeping the nails trimmed is all I've ever done and they never seem to have any problems. I like SBT in general but there are far too many for demand round me and I suspect across the country.

Re: Staffie feet

Utlendigur — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:25:56 GMT

I've seen quite a few dogs with medial or lateral digits like you describe, various breeds, including a CKCS belonging to an ex staff member. They never seem to bother the dog but often need regular claw clipping - and an owner who checks them. I'd estimate more than half were bilateral. I have no idea whether genetic or not (alternative may be some disturbance/toxin at that point in gestation) but probably best not to add to the number of staffies in the world anyway

Re: Staffie feet

Nicola Lawlor — Wed, 16 May 2012 11:15:52 GMT

I wouldn't have expected anything problem wise except for the nail growth which they seem to be managing well. Dogs with ampuated lateral digits seem to enjoy a normal life in my experience. As for hereditary - I am with Wynne on this, it would seem highly possible that it could be passed on to pups and I would personally suggest not to breed from this particular dog. Opening another can of worms of course, but aren't there enough unwanted staffies in this world anyway!?

Re: Staffie feet

Hannah Wynne Richards — Wed, 16 May 2012 10:14:20 GMT

Don't know, but since on both feet my bet would be hereditary

Wynne