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Date Posted: 19:15:53 03/09/04 Tue
Author: David I.
Subject: Form follows function, but function doesn't necc.follow vis.form
In reply to: NDE 's message, "Re: David L" on 08:47:17 03/08/04 Mon

I have always felt that the reason may have many levels at but the tap root of this shortness of life span has to do with the fashioning of the large breed for the sake of commerce.

****remove "commerce" and replace it with "appearance" and I would agree wholeheartely. In the case of breeding show dogs I think we have departed from breeding dogs into the realm of producing curiosities.

I am from the working world and in my world form follows function. When form follows function as in its purest form, the wolf, longevity is not inversely proportional to size, as nature culls the weak.

*****You can find short-lived small dogs too "Dandies" (Dandie Dinmont Terriers). Why should size and longevity be related? Elephants live a long time. Biological fitness in an animal goes right down to the cellular level, we are very caught up with the visual. It is not just the gross visual form but the form in all its aspects.
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In addition I have wondered if the organs in a large breed have not up with the size of that breed, hence a shorter life span.

****Actually I have read a little about this. The biggest problem in molossers is in some breeds where they have bred to have a very deep chest resulting in increased incidence of bloat.

Organ size is not necessarily an indication of function.

Wolves have a compact, tubular, almost, chest. BTW they did a study of Czech wolfdogs vs. GSDs the WD
had 2x the stamina. the WDs were able to run 40km vs. the 20 of the GSDs.
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Also, because of the insatiable desire create the largest of a large breed and because of the shaping of that breed for the market place, i.e. wide bodied, oversized bone and large head with little regard for correct angulation the breed overall has suffered.

*****************
When ever I hear the word angulation I pause. A tremendous amount of damage has been done in the name of angulation, (think GSD). I don't know if we should even think about angulation. We should think about whether dogs can run, long and hard and the angulation that results from those dogs is the correct one. And it may not be the same for every dog even within a breed.

The Boerboel today for the most part could not fulfill its original function as movement, agility and working temperament are not a part of the appraisal process in a effort to determine breed worthiness.
***************
For the most part the BB is not asked to fufill its original funtion. Not to any degree. Not in the U.S.
Unless you to tested them exhaustion........An agility test while good, doesn't replace the demands of a harsh working life as an agent of biological selection.

Because of the above, it is my opinion, the life span of the Boerboel will be adversely affected in the very near future if the first question continues to be, how much does he weigh?
**********
When I was a young man I picked the largest pups, now I pick the most athletic.

If you want to maintain longevity in a breed you must maintain genetic diversity.

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