Chondrodystrophic Dogs
Chondrodystrophic dogs are those with characteristically short and curved limbs ( https://www.fitzpatrickreferrals.co.uk/neurology/intervertebral-disc-disease/ ) that are disproportionate to the rest of their bodies. Examples of breeds of dog that are Chondrodystrophic (CD) are basset hounds and miniature dachshund. These specific breeds of dog are bred to have this physique purely for the fact that people find them ‘cute’, however what breeders and owners don’t think about or are unaware of is the dysfunctions that can occur with these specific breeds.
The majority of dog breeds have limbs in proportion to the rest of their body for support and stability. However with the limited support that the limbs of a CD dog provide means that the thoracic and lumbar vertebral regions of the spine bear the majority of the weight. As the spine is put under so much pressure CD dogs are made prone to developmental diseases such as intervertebral disc degeneration, also known as intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) where there is premature deterioration of the intervertebral discs (Labokin, 2019). The most common type of IVDD in small dogs occurs in the cervical vertebrae, calcification of the outer layer of the discs makes the bone harder and therefore more brittle allowing it to break easier. The discs can rupture (Davies Veterinary Specialists, 2018) from forceful impact such as jumping up, down or a fall. Another cause of IVDD is when a hernia is formed, the vertebral discs become progressively fibrous over time and eventually bursts and bulges out compressing the spinal cord. When the spinal cord gets compressed, the nerves are put under pressure meaning that signals to other parts of the body such as limbs and organs are blocked. This is the main cause of paralysis in dogs (PetMD, 2019).
Breeding or owning a dog that is classified as Chondrodystrophic can be seen as an animals welfare issue as it is supporting breeds that easily develop diseases that are either life threatening or that decrease their quality of life all together. Furthermore, in popular dog shows such as Crufts 2019, Chondrodystrophic dogs are even praised for having this specific feature. It can be questioned that if a dog is require to have surgery or possible paralysis to survive comfortably at any point during their life due to physical genetic deformities that they have purposefully been bred for, is it fair to continue to breed them?
References
Crufts, (2019), The Kennel Club: Crufts. [online]. Available at: https://www.crufts.org.uk/content/show-information/view-dog-breeds/. (Accessed: 28 March 2019)
PetMD, (2019), Slipped disc, back back and muscle spasms in dogs. [online]. Available at: https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/neurological/c_dg_intervertebral_disc_disease. (Accessed: 28 March 2019)
Davies Veterinary Specialists, (2018), Intervertebral Disc Herniation or “slipped disc” Fact sheet. [online]. Available at: https://vetspecialists.co.uk/fact-sheets-post/intervertebral-disc-herniation-or-slipped-disc-fact-sheet/. (Accessed: 25 March 2019)
Laboklin, (2007), Laboklin Laboratory for Clinical Diagnostics; Chondrodystrophy and Chondrodysplasia. [online]. Available at: http://www.laboklin.co.uk/laboklin/showGeneticTest.jsp?testID=8294. (Accessed: 27 March 2019)
Fitzpatrick, N., (2019), Fitzpatrick Referrals; Intervertebral Disc Disease. [online]. Available at: https://www.fitzpatrickreferrals.co.uk/neurology/intervertebral-disc-disease/. (Accessed: 19 March 2019)
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