Health testing in Mastiff-2017

I am often told by less informed puppy buyers that they don't care about pedigrees or "health testing".  They often voice that is not a concern since they have no plans to breed or show their dog.  They just want a "pet"; some even argue that they don't want to "pay" for a puppy from health tested lines.

Those of us who have made it our goal to breed better Mastiffs and  have invested years of involvement in this breed, often  try to inform buyers why health testing is important.    Now, health testing involves more than just having your Vet  give your dog a health exam.  It's a process of certifying and clearing a dog through medical test and exams.  Often referred as "OFAing"  a dog.  X-rays of hips, elbows, shoulders, and patellas are taken and sent in to be reviewed and graded for a rating. Blood or cheek swabs are submitted for DNA testing to clear dogs of certain diseases, or sent to approved labs for panel tests. The results of these tests are then listed online in the OFA site (offa.org) so that dog owners may be able research health results.

Until you have a beloved pet develop a chronic or acute life altering illness, you may not understand why it's so important not to breed dogs that are not affected with certain diseases. Watching your pet's health slowly decline due to a preventable disease can definitely make you a believer in health testing. Does it cost more for a puppy from health tested parents and lines?  Yes, it does. However, to cost of treating hip dysplasia in a puppy less than a year can be upwards of $4-6000 for surgeries.  Why have a puppy that goes blind from PRA when we have had the test to DNA clear parents for over 10 years? Why buy a puppy from a parent with thyroid or cardiac issues?

When you have a parent with a diseases (affected) or if both parents are carriers (carry 1 clear gene and 1 affected gene) you risk getting a puppy that may be affected with the disease. You may have saved money on your purchase price, but increase Vet medical cost will certainly mount in total cost over time. I tell people you can pay up front or pay later.  Never buy a puppy from lines that have not been health tested.

Due to the hard work of caring and ethical breeders, we have increased the overall quality of health in our breed.  OFA has a listing of the stat results of health testing for each breed, and the results are encouraging.

Here are just a few of the results for Mastiffs up through December 2017.

PRA-  99,3% are clear, 0.7% are abnormal.
CMR-1-75.8%  are clear,  22.2% are carries, and 2.0 % are abnormal.
Cardiac-99.1% are clear, and 0.4% are abnormal
Advanced Cardiac-98.6% are clear
Cystinuria- 97.2% are clear, 0.7% are abnormal.
Degenerative Myelopathy- 82.7% are clear, 16.5% are carriers, and 0.8% are abnormal.
Elbow Dysplasia-84.3% are clear, 15.4% are abnormal
Eyes (CERF)-97.6% clear, 2.4% are abnormal
Hip Dysplasia-76.3% are clear, and 20.7% are abnormal
Patellas-99.7% are clear.
Shoulders-95.9% are clear
Thyroid-87.0% are clear, and 2.7% are abnormal, and 10.2% are equivocal.
Von Willebrands- 100.0% are clear.

As a breeder, I  have seen a marked increase in the  improvement in the overall health of our breed, and I am greatly encouraged.  As we have improved the general health of our breed, we have also increased our  longevity. The dogs bred from health tested lines are now living longer and healthier lives.

Many breeders have also added temperament testing to their dogs--CGC, obedience titles, agility, therapy certifications all point to a dog that had a stable and correct temperament. Always look for these titles and proof of certifications in your puppy's lines.

Be an educated and informed buyer, research the common health issues in your puppy's breed. Ask your puppy's breeder if they health test, and ask for the parent's registered names of registry number so you can look up the health testing on the OFA site. Look to see if there has been consistent health testing in the preceding generations. If a pattern of affected dogs is noted--make sure your puppy is clear of those health issues before you buy and take it home.

Even when we health test and breed from multiple generations of health and temperament tested dogs,  issues can occur.  Ethical breeders will guarantee the health and temperament of their puppy. With that guarantee comes peace of mind for puppy owners.  These same breeders will also be there for their puppy owners to answer questions and be a information resource.  Your $500.00 Craigslist puppy will not come with those benefits.

Don't buy the first puppy you find online. Don't buy a puppy out of pity or emotional response because you feel it needs to "be rescued".  Be an informed and educated puppy buyer so that you can bring into your family a Dog that is healthy in body and mind. 

Cathy C Arney
KioKee Mastiffs
Hickory, NC

NCkiokeemastiffs@charter.net

Update 2018--Gloria Davis of Lionhearted Mastiffs dissapperance

Update 2018--Gloria Davis of Lionhearted Mastiffs dissapperance

February 9th is a day that sets heavy in my heart. It's the date that eight years ago when myself and others  received the horrific email with the pictures of Gloria's dogs lying dead on the frozen snow covered ground. It also began the search for answers which lead to the eventual expanded search and investigation into Gloria as a missing person. Slowly over the following days as the facts became known, It became an investigation into a missing persons/homicide investigation for Gloria Davis.  I do this yearly update to keep Gloria's name and case out in the public for others to follow and be informed of the known facts in this case.

 Occasionally, I get inquires about Gloria's missing person/Homicide investigation.  Anderson County Sheriff's department in Anderson, SC still list Gloria's missing person case as an open homicide. I have been informed it will stay open until answers are found and known.  It remains their only unsolved case.  Somewhere, someone has the information needed to bring Gloria home. 

There was much confusion those first few weeks--lots of miscommunication and misinformation  was spread causing confusion in the investigation.   Time has calmed those troubled waters; what remains a glaring truth is that Gloria Davis remains missing and there has been no evidence of  her being alive since  December of 2009.  None of Gloria's friends or family have had any contact with her since December 2009. All of her personal belongings including her ID, SS card, driver's license, Checking account information, personal belongings, and her car were found in the house on the Anderson property. Anderson County Animal Control was notified, and there on the property her beloved Lionhearted dogs were found dead, starved and dying. Since her disappearance, there has been no activity on her SS card/number, banking account, credit cards, or any other personal information. Gloria Davis has basically fell off the face of the earth.  

In the past eight years, Gloria has had three wonderful grandsons born who will never get to know their grandmother.  Her sons, family, and friends still grieve and wait for answers.  Grief can have no closure until their questions are answered.  Time is said to heal all wounds; we pray for answers to heal our hearts.  I ask that any and all who read this update to please pray for peace and understanding for Gloria's sons and family; and guidance, strength, and insight for the officers in charge of her investigation. 

On a personal note;  I will never stop asking questions and looking for answers.  I still have difficulty looking back at the original post I made. Sometimes, I cry when asked about this case.  I grieve for the lost of my friend; I grieve that she will never know the love of her grandsons; I grieve that her family and friends do not have the closure needed.  The answers may not come in my lifetime, but I have hope and belief that all will be known one day. What I witnessed there on the Anderson property will always haunt me.  Both Gloria and her dogs deserve justice.

http://kiokeemastiffscom.blogspot.com/2010/02/lionhearted-mastiffs-english-mastiff.html
http://kiokeemastiffscom.blogspot.com/2010/03/update-lionhearted-mastiffs-gloria.htmlhttp://kiokeemastiffscom.blogspot.com/2011/02/lionhearted-mastiffs-and-gloria-davis.html
http://kiokeemastiffscom.blogspot.com/2012/02/gloria-davis-lionhearted-mastiffs.html
http://kiokeemastiffscom.blogspot.com/2013/02/gloria-davis-lionhearted-mastiffs.html

http:///kiokeemastiffscom.blogspot.com/2014_02_01_archive.html

http://kiokeemastiffscom.blogspot.com/2015/02/lionhearted-mastiff-gloria-davis-2015.html

http://kiokeemastiffscom.blogspot.com/2016/02/update-2016-gloria-davis-of-lionhearted.html

Gloria and JC winning Winner's Dog  from the BBE Class at Mastiff supported entry in Trenton, NJ May 2008.


  IF you feel you have information relating to the disappearance of Gloria Davis, please contact the investigating officer in Anderson, SC-- Detective Wayne Mills. Any piece of information may be the link so needed in this investigation.  This  Information is needed so that Gloria can be brought home to her family.  He can be reached at wmills@andersonsheriff.com.

It is my sincere hope that Gloria can be brought home to her  mother, sons  and grandsons.  Join me in praying that justice will be served.

Catie C. Arney
KioKee Mastiffs
NCKioKeeMastiffs@charter.net

Lionhearted Mastiffs--Gloria Davis Update 2017

Update 2017--Gloria Davis of Lionhearted Mastiffs dissapperance

February 16th is a day that sets heavy in my heart. It's the date that seven years ago began the search for answers in the missing persons/homicide investigation for Gloria Davis.  I do this yearly update to keep Gloria's name and case out in the public for others to follow and be informed of the known facts in this case.

 Occasionally, I get inquires about Gloria's missing person/Homicide investigation.  Anderson County Sheriff's department in Anderson, SC still list Gloria's missing person case as an open homicide. I have been informed it will stay open until answers are found and known. Somewhere, someone has the information needed to bring Gloria home. 

There was much confusion those first few weeks--lots of miscommunication and misinformation  was spread causing confusion in the investigation.   Time has calmed those troubled waters; what remains a glaring truth is that Gloria Davis remains missing and there has been no evidence of  her being alive since  December of 2009.  None of Gloria's friends or family have had any contact with her since December 2009. All of her personal belongings including her ID, SS card, driver's license, Checking account information, personal belongings, and her car were found in the house on the Anderson property. Anderson County Animal Control was notified, and there on the property her beloved Lionhearted dogs were found dead, starved and dying. Since her disappearance, there has been no activity on her SS card/number, banking account, credit cards, or any other personal information. Gloria Davis has basically fell off the face of the earth.  

In the past seven years, Gloria has had three wonderful grandsons born who will never get to know their grandmother.  Her sons, family, and friends still grieve and wait for answers. Time is said to heal all wounds; we pray for answer to heal our hearts.  I ask that any and all who read this update to please pray for peace and understanding for Gloria's sons and family; and guidance, strength, and insight for the officers in charge of her investigation. 

On a personal note;  I will never stop asking questions and looking for answers.  I still have difficulty looking back at the original post I made. Sometimes, I cry when asked about this case. What I witnessed there on the Anderson property will  always haunt me.  Both Gloria and her dogs deserve justice.

http://kiokeemastiffscom.blogspot.com/2010/02/lionhearted-mastiffs-english-mastiff.html
http://kiokeemastiffscom.blogspot.com/2010/03/update-lionhearted-mastiffs-gloria.htmlhttp://kiokeemastiffscom.blogspot.com/2011/02/lionhearted-mastiffs-and-gloria-davis.html
http://kiokeemastiffscom.blogspot.com/2012/02/gloria-davis-lionhearted-mastiffs.html
http://kiokeemastiffscom.blogspot.com/2013/02/gloria-davis-lionhearted-mastiffs.html

http:///kiokeemastiffscom.blogspot.com/2014_02_01_archive.html

http://kiokeemastiffscom.blogspot.com/2015/02/lionhearted-mastiff-gloria-davis-2015.html

http://kiokeemastiffscom.blogspot.com/2016/02/update-2016-gloria-davis-of-lionhearted.html

Gloria and JC winning Winner's Dog  from the BBE Class at Mastiff supported entry in Trenton, NJ May 2008.


  IF you feel you have information relating to the disappearance of Gloria Davis, please contact the investigating officer in Anderson, SC-- Detective Wayne Mills. Any piece of information may be the link so needed in this investigation.  This  Information is needed so that Gloria can be brought home to her family.  He can be reached at wmills@andersonsheriff.com.

It is my sincere hope that Gloria can be brought home to her  mother, sons  and grandsons.  Join me in praying that justice will be served.

Catie C. Arney
KioKee Mastiffs
NCKioKeeMastiffs@charter.net

Update 2016--Gloria Davis of Lionhearted Mastiffs dissapperance

It has now been six years since I and others received e-mails that  set forth our search for answers.  Occasionally, I get inquires about Gloria's missing person/Homicide investigation.  Anderson County Sheriff's department in Anderson, SC still list Gloria's missing person case as an open homicide. 

There was much confusion those first few weeks--lots of miscommunication and misinformation  was spread causing confusion in the investigation.   Time has calmed those troubled waters; what remains a glaring truth is that Gloria Davis remains missing and there has been no evidence of  her being alive since  December of 2009.  None of Gloria's friends or family have had any contact with her since December 2009. All of her personal belongings including her ID, SS card, driver's license, Checking account information, personal belongings, and her car were found in the house on the Anderson property. Since her disappearance, there has been no activity on her SS card/number, banking account, credit cards, or any other personal information. Gloria Davis has basically fell off the face of the earth.  Somewhere, someone has the information needed to bring Gloria home. 

As I have done every year--I post a blog entry to remind the Mastiff Community that We still need answers. On a personal note;  I will never stop asking questions and looking for answers.  I still have difficulty looking back at the original post I made. What I witnessed there on the Anderson property will  always haunt me.  Both Gloria and her dogs deserve justice.

http://kiokeemastiffscom.blogspot.com/2010/02/lionhearted-mastiffs-english-mastiff.html
http://kiokeemastiffscom.blogspot.com/2010/03/update-lionhearted-mastiffs-gloria.htmlhttp://kiokeemastiffscom.blogspot.com/2011/02/lionhearted-mastiffs-and-gloria-davis.html
http://kiokeemastiffscom.blogspot.com/2012/02/gloria-davis-lionhearted-mastiffs.html
http://kiokeemastiffscom.blogspot.com/2013/02/gloria-davis-lionhearted-mastiffs.htmlhttp://kiokeemastiffscom.blogspot.com/2014_02_01_archive.html


Gloria and JC winning Winner's Dog  from the BBE Class at Mastiff supported entry in Trenton, NJ May 2008.


There is a reward for  information which leads to the apprehension and /or conviction of any person or persons responsible for the disappearance of Gloria Davis.  IF you feel you have information relating to the disappearance of Gloria Davis, please contact the investigating officer in Anderson, SC-- Detective Wayne Mills. Any piece of information may be the link so needed in this investigation.  This  Information is needed so that Gloria can be brought home to her family.  He can be reached at wmills@andersonsheriff.com.

It is my sincere hope that Gloria can be brought home to her  mother, sons  and grandsons.  Join me in praying that justice will be served.

Catie C. Arney
KioKee Mastiffs
KioKeemastiffs@embarqmail.com

The 10 most important things to know about Canine hip dysplasia

This is a great article well written and easily understood that can help owners and breeders  to understand some of the major causes and intervention to prevent or reduce the occurrence of canine hip dysplasia.  By Carol Beuchat PhD Hip dysplasia is a hot topic in dogs, if it's possible to stay "hot" for 50 years. Researchers have been working hard for decades  looking for solutions, and breeders have been doing their best to reduce the risk of producing affected puppies.  But still the problem remains. There are some simple things we could do to reduce the incidence of hip dysplasia now if we understand a few basic things.  Here are the 10 most important things you need to know. 1) All puppies are born with perfect hips Hip dysplasia is not a congenital defect; it is not present at birth. Multiple studies have demonstrated that all normal puppies are born  with "perfect" hips; that is, they are "normal" for a newborn with no signs of dysplasia. The structures of the hip joint are cartilage at  birth and only become bone as the puppy grows. If a puppy is going to develop hip dysplasia, the process begins shortly after birth. This is the hip joint of a 1 day old puppy. The cartilage tissue does not show up on an x-ray until the minerals are deposited that form bone. Proper development of the joint depends on maintaining the proper fit between the head of the femur and the socket (acetabulum). "The hip joints of all dogs are normal at birth. The joints continue to develop normally as long as full congruity is maintained between the acetabulum and the femoral head... The acetabular rims are stimulated to grow by mild traction applied by the joint capsule and gluteal muscles attached along their dorsal borders, and from pressure by the femoral heads upon the articular surfaces... The morphologic characteristics of the complex hip structure show that biomechanical behavior is the prime influence in the growth of this joint." (Riser 1985) ​ 2) The genes that cause hip dysplasia remain a mystery Hip dysplasia tends to be more common in some breeds than others and in some lines than others, which indicates that there is a  genetic component to the disorder. However, scientists have been looking for genes that are responsible for the development of  hip dysplasia in dogs for decades without success. ​Genes that are associated with hip dysplasia have been identified in some breeds, but they are breed-specific; that is, the assortment of  genes is different in every breed. (For example, see studies on the German Shepherd dog (Marschall & Distl 2007, Fells & Distl 2014,  and Fels et al 2014), Bernese Mountain Dog (Pfahler & Distl 2012), and Labrador Retriever (Phavaphutanon et al 2008).  Genes that could cause hip dysplasia have not been found in any breed. It's unlikely that researchers are going to discover an easy genetic solution to the problem of hip dysplasia. It is a complex trait that is  influenced by both genes and environment, and there is no simple solution just over the horizon. We should be able to improve  genetic progress by using selection strategies that are as efficient and effective as possible such as estimated breeding values, EBVs.  One great advantage of using EBVs is that the genes responsible for a trait don't need to be known; you need only a pedigree  database and information about affected animals. 3) Environmental factors are also important Although there is a genetic influence on hip dysplasia, the heritability of the trait is rather low. Many studies have shown that genetic  variation accounts for only a modest fraction of the variation in hip scores, usually 15-40%. This means that some fraction of the variation  in the quality of the hips is the result of non-genetic, or "environmental" influences. This is one reason why decades of strong selection  has resulted in only modest reductions in hip dysplasia in some breeds. At the current rate of progress and selecting only by phenotype,  it could take decades to achieve a meaningful reduction in the incidence of hip dysplasia (Lewis et al 2013). Understanding the specific environmental factors that play a role in the development of hip dysplasia should allow us to reduce the number  of animals affected by hip dysplasia even if the genetic basis is not yet understood. This would reduce significant pain and suffering as well  as the expense and heartache endured by owners of an afflicted dog. There is no reason why we should not be taking active steps to do  this now. ​The top three environmental factors that have been found to play a significant role in the develop of dysplastic hips  are: a) joint laxity, b) weight, and c) exercise (see below). ​ 4) Joint laxity is the primary cause of hip dysplasia Puppies are born with perfect hips, and if the hips do not develop laxity the dog does not develop hip dysplasia (Riser 1985). Joint laxity  occurs when the head of the femur does not fit snugly into the acetabulum. This could be the result of traumatic injury, overloading of the  joint by weight, lack of muscle strength, or adductor forces (e.g., bringing the legs together). Joint laxity is the primary factor that  predisposes a dog to the development of hip dysplasia. ​In dogs as well as many other vertebrates (including humans), the head of the femur in newborns is held securely in place by a strong ligament variously called the "round ligament" or "teres ligament". One end of this ligament is attached to the head of the femur and the other end to the inner wall of the acetabulum (the cup-like socket on the pelvis). You can see the teres ligament in this illustration (labeled "LIGAM. TERES").  If this ligament is damaged or severed, the femur will not be held tightly in the socket, which will cause the joint to feel "loose". If the femoral head is not positioned properly in the socket, the forces on the hip will be abnormal. Instead of being  distributed across  the inner surface of the socket, the forces on the joint will be concentrated in a smaller area on the  weaker rim of the acetabulum. The result will be damage to the rim of the socket when a load is placed on the hip joint. 5) Controlling joint stability is key ​The teres ligament should hold the head of the femur securely in the socket of the growing puppy while the muscles  that will support the hip develop and grow stronger. But in some puppies, the ligament shows evidence of damage before  they are even a month old (Riser 1985). "The teres ligaments of the hip joints were edematous [swollen], a few ligament fibers were torn, and capillary hemorrhage  dotted the surface of the ligaments at the point of the tears. These changes were considered the first findings that might be  linked to hip dysplasia."  The abnormal forces on the femur and acetabulum that are caused by joint laxity result in the trauma  that causes hip dysplasia and osteoarthritis of the hip. "There is no evidence that a primary defect of bone exists but rather the disease is a failure of the muscles and other soft tissues  to hold the hip joint in full congruity. This is further supported by the fact that bony dysplasia can be increased, decreased, or  prevented by controlling the degree of joint instability and incongruity. No other malformations are associated with the disease.  A causal relationship between muscles and soft tissue defects or pathologic changes other than lack of muscle mass or strength  has not been established... Hip dysplasia is a concentration of factors from a pool of genetic weaknesses and environmental  stresses that fall into a programmed pattern of progressive remodeling and degenerative joint disease." (Riser 1985) 6) Body weight is a MAJOR environmental factor If there is laxity in the hip joint, the amount of damage done to the femur and acetabulum will depend on the magnitude of the  forces in the hip joint. The heavier the dog, the greater the forces will be and also therefore the higher the risk of hip dysplasia  and osteoarthritis. ​Puppies that weigh more at birth as well as those with higher growth rates (so they get heavier sooner) have a higher risk of degenerative changes in the hip joint (Vanden Berg-Foels et al 2006). ​As this graph shows, puppies kept on a restricted diet (gray line) have a dramatically lower risk of dysplasia and it develops much later in life than in puppies kept on normal rations (black line) (Smith et al 2006).  At four years old, less than 10% of dogs kept on a restricted diet (25% less than the control diet) were dysplastic, while at the same  time more than 30% of the dogs in the control group were dysplastic. As an added advantage, dogs on restricted diets live longer,  too (Kealy et al 2002)! Unfortunately, many dogs (including show dogs!) are overweight (McGreevy et al 2005, Corbee 2013), and obesity could well be the  single most significant environmental factor affecting the development of hip dysplasia and osteoarthritis. But body weight is a factor  that we can control. ​Although progress from genetic selection will take many generations, the incidence of hip dysplasia in dogs could be immediately and dramatically reduced simply by practicing better weight management. 7) Exercise is good and bad Exercise strengthens the muscles of the legs and pelvis, and this will increase the stability of the hip joint.  But all exercise is not created equal. Puppies raised on slippery surfaces or with access to stairs when they are less than 3 months old have a higher risk of hip dysplasia,while  those who are allowed off-lead exercise on soft, uneven ground (such as in a park) have a lower risk (Krontveit et al 2012). Dogs born in  summer have a lower risk of hip dysplasia, presumably because they have more opportunity for exercise outdoors (Ktontveit et al 2012).  On the other hand, dogs from 12-24 months old that regularly chase a ball or stick thrown by the owner have an higher risk of developing  dysplastic hips (Sallander et al 2006).  The most critical period for proper growth and development of the hip in dogs is from birth to 8 weeks old, so the type of  exercise the puppies are exposed to is most important during this time. 8) Nutrition is important While puppies are growing rapidly, it is critically important to get their nutrition right. Growing puppies need to eat enough to support growth but they should not be fat, because any extra weight can increase the risk  of developing hip dysplasia (Hedhammar et al 1975, Kasstrom 1975). An additional problem is that puppies getting too much food could  also consume too much of specific nutrients. Puppies provided a quality commercial puppy food that is fed in the proper amount will have a nutritionally balanced diet and should not receive any supplements. Dietary supplements, especially of calcium, are not only unnecessary  but could cause serious problems. There is no evidence that supplemental protein or vitamins will reduce the risk of hip dysplasia  (Kealy et al 1991, Nap et al 1991, Richardson & Zentek 1998). 9) Early intervention is critical Most treatments for hip dysplasia are easier and more successful in younger dogs. If early symptoms are overlooked and screening is  done only after 24 months or more, the window of time with the best prognosis in response to treatment will have passed  (Morgan et al 2000). Signs of lameness usually first appear when the puppy is 4 to 6 months old, but after a month or two the dog  will often seem better. This is because damage to the acetabular rim such as microfractures will have healed and the dog is no longer  in pain, but development of dysplasia and osteoarthritis will continue. From there, the dog might not display clinical signs again for years  while the pathological damage progresses. Laxity in the joint can be determined as early as 4 months old (either by palpation or PennHIP). If detected early, intervention to  mitigate additional damage can include weight loss, modifying exercise and activities, or surgery - but it must be done early before  skeletal growth is complete. Breeders should educate new puppy owners about the factors that can increase the risk of developing  hip dysplasia and also advise them to get a veterinary examination immediately if there is any sign of lameness. ​ 10) We can dramatically reduce hip dysplasia now Genetic selection should continue to produce modest progress in the reduction of hip dysplasia. But a significant and immediate  reduction in the number of afflicted animals could be achieved by better control of non-genetic, environmental factors. Weight  management, appropriate exercise, proper nutrition, and early intervention at the first sign of lameness are simple steps we can  take that will dramatically reduce the pain and suffering caused by hip dysplasia. The research will surely continue, but we already  have the information we need to tackle this problem.  Corbee RJ. 2012. Obesity in show dogs. Anim. Physiol. Anim. Nut. DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0396.2012.01336.x Fels L, Y Marschall, U Philipp, & O Distl. 2014. Multiple loci associated with canine h.ip dysplasia (CHD) in  German shepherd dogs. Mamm. Genome. DOI 10.1007/s00335-014-9507-1. Hedhammar A, F-M Wu, L Krook, HF Schryver, A de Lahunta, FP Whalen, FA Kallfelz, EA Nunez, HF Hintz, BE Sheffy,  & GD Ryan. 1975. Overnutrition and skeletal disease: An Experimental Study in Growing Great Dane Dogs. Cornell Vet 64: Supp 5. Kasstrom H. 1975. Nutrition, weight gain and development of hip dysplasia. An experimental investigation in growing dogs with  special reference to the effect of feeding intensity. Acta Radiol Suppl 344: 135-179. Kealy RD, DF Lawler, & KL Monti. 1991. Some observations on the dietary Vitamin D requirement of weanling pups. J Nutr   121: S66-S69. Kealy RD, DF Lawler, JM Ballam, SL Mantz, DN Biery, EH Greeley, G Lust, M Segre, GK Smith, & HD Stowe.  2002. Effects of diet restriction on life span and age-related changes in dogs. J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc. 220: 1315-1320. Krontveit RI, A Nodtvedt, BK Saevik, E Ropstad, & C Trangerud.  2012. Housing- and exercise-related risk factors associated  with the development of hip dysplasia as determined by radiographic evaluation in a prospective cohort of Newfoundlands, Labrador Retrievers, Leonbergers, and Irish Wolfhounds in Norway. Am J Vet Res 73: 838-846. Lewis, TW, SC Blott, & JA Woolliams. 2013. Comparative analyses of genetic trends and prospects for selection against hip and  elbow dysplasia in 15 UK dog breeds. BMC Genetics 14:16.  Marschall Y & O Distl. 2007. Mapping quantitative trait loci for canine hip dysplasia in German Shepherd dogs. Mamm. Genpome  18: 861-870. McGreevy, P D, PC Thomson, C Pride, A Fawcett, T Grassi, B Jones. 2005. Prevalence of obesity in dogs examined  by Australian veterinary practices and the risk factors involved. Vet Rec 156, 695-702. Morgan JP, A Wind, & AP Davidson. 2000. Hereditary bone and joint diseases in the dog. Schlutersche GmbH & Co. KG, Germany. Nap RC, HAW Hazewinkel, G Voorhout, WE van den Brom, SA Goedegebuure, & AT Kloosteer. 1991. Growth and skeletal development  in Great Dane pups fed different levels of protein intake. J Nutr 121: S107-S113. Pfahler S & O Distl. 2012. Identification of Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) for Canine Hip Dysplasia and Canine Elbow Dysplasia in  Bernese Mountain Dogs. PLoS ONE 7(11): e49782. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0049782 Phavaphutanon J, R.G. Mateescu, K.L. Tsai, P.A. Schweitzer, E.E. Corey, M.A. Vernier-Singer, A.J. Williams,N.L. Dykes, K.E. Murphy,  GLust, R.J. Todhunter. Evaluation of quantitative trait loci for hip dysplasia in Labrador Retrievers. Am. J. Vet. Res. 70: 1094-101. Richardson DC & J Zentek. 1998. Nutrition and osteochrondrosis. Vet Clinics of N Am: Small Anim Pract 28: 115-135. Riser WH. 1985. Hip dysplasia. Ch 83 In Textbook of Small Animal Orthopedics. 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How Much Exercise is too Much??

Almost weekly, I get e-mails from owners asking how much exercise is "too much" for their new puppy. My standard answer has always been never take then further than you can pick them up and carry them home. Very few folks realize, that the skeletal development in dogs continues in stages after birth.  Below is an X-ray of a 2 week old puppy--not the undeveloped bone between the femur (upper leg bone) and the tibia (lower leg bone)--the two largest bones in a dog's body.  Compare this x-ray with the x-ray of the 6 month old puppy at the end of this entry--note the difference in bone development.

X-ray of a 2 week old puppy

 In large breed dogs these rapidly growing bones remain extremely soft and can break easily.  Do not allow the pup to jump off elevated areas (i.e. porches, decks, and pick-up truck beds) or walk up more than 3 steps. I have seen a 10 week old large breed puppy break both front legs jumping off a 2-3 foot high deck. They could also damage their shoulder joints.

 Likewise, puppies should not be allowed to play or spend significant time on slippery surfaces (i.e. wooden, tile or linoleum floors) in order to prevent joint injuries.  Slipping  and sliding may look cute, but it can cause trauma to his hips which may lead to poor hips or elbows as an adult.  Hard landings on a slippery floor can bruise and damage these soft developing joints and bones.

Although your puppy may look big, do not allow children to pull on the legs, sit , jump , or lie on your puppy.   Dragging a puppy by it's legs could cause a fracture or damage the elbow joints.  Don't play "horsey"--Mastiffs are not to be ridden.  Long term permanent injury could result to you growing puppy.  Always supervise your children (both the very young and the older) and teach them proper interactions with your puppy.

 Do not allow the Mastiff puppy to become overweight as this places stress on the growth plates of its bones. Likewise, do not keep your puppy crated for long, extended periods of time. Lack of exercise is just as bad as too much exercise. Your puppy will need to exercise to develop proper muscle tone and bone structure to carry its adult weight and be a strong healthy, active dog.

Due to the rapid growth of these pups, under no condition should extensive road (running) type exercises be done until after the age of 18 months  and the long bone growth plates have closed.  Joints and  growing bones are too prone to injury.  A good rule of thumb for setting physical activity   limits is for every month increase activity by 5 minutes.  So, an 8 week old puppy need 10 minutes of physical activity per day, and a 6 month old puppy need 30 minutes of physical activity. 

Because Mastiffs and other giant breed dogs are large, fast growing dogs and their joint development is slow; the dog’s level of exercise must be monitored closely until the age of 18 months to prevent injuries. You must monitor activity level to avoid over-exertion while insuring that the dog receives sufficient exercise. This can normally be accomplished by such means as  short walks or play sessions with toys. Be careful to stop when the dog shows signs of fatigue; don’t take young puppies on long walks unless you can carry them home! 

Particular care must be taken to insure that a puppy is not injured or over-tired by play with a mature dog. Never leave a puppy under the age of 6 months alone with adult dogs. Always supervise any interaction to prevent injury to the puppy. Many a unilateral bad hip or elbow can be traced back to a trauma or injury at a pup's early age

X-ray of a 6 month old puppy

Remember, the time, expense, and care you provide these first few months determines a great deal of the overall size, health, soundness, and longevity of your puppy. Proper loving care will produce a most devoted companion.

Catie Arney
KioKee Mastiffs
Hickory, NC

KioKeemastiffs@embarqmail.com

Mastiff Growth Plate Closure

I get inquires about how much exercise is "OK" for a Mastiff puppy or an adult.  My response usually is based on the age of the dog. The above diagram is one of the best I have found that helps explain  why most dogs do not need to be doing extensive running on hard surfaces until after the age of 16-18 months.  If you review the diagram it show the growth plate closures on the long bones in the legs and in the shoulders are the last to close.

Due to the rapid growth of these pups, under no condition should extensive road work (running) type exercises be done until after the age of 18 months. Joints and growing bones are too prone to injury. Same applies to any jump training;  all training should be at a lower height until your Mastiff in > 18 months--esp. important for rally and obedience work and training. 

Although Mastiffs and other giant breeds grow rapidly--final bone grow is slow and these bone remain soft and prone to green-stick Fractures until fully mature. Ask any Vet--it's not uncommon to see St. Bernard, Great Dane,  and  Mastiffs puppies   10-16 weeks of age present with fractured front legs from simply jumping off an elevated surface of  two (2) feet. They could also damage their shoulder joints. Likewise, puppies should not be allowed to play or spend significant time on slippery surfaces (i.e. wooden, tile or linoleum floors) in order to prevent joint injuries.  Slipping sliding may look cute, but it can cause trauma to his hips which may lead to poor hips or elbows as an adult.

Do not allow the Mastiff puppy to become overweight as this places stress on the growth plates of its bones.  Puggy puppies may look cute, but excessive weight is not good for a growing pup.  Likewise, do not keep your puppy crated for long, extended periods of time. Lack of exercise is just as bad as too much exercise. Your puppy will need to exercise to develop proper muscle tone and bone structure to carry its adult weight and be a strong healthy, active dog.

Although your puppy may look big, do not allow children to pull on the legs, jump on, or lie on your puppy. Long term permanent injury could result. Always supervise your children (both the very young and the older) and teach them proper interactions with your puppy. Teasing, hitting at, and causing harm can cause your puppy to have a permanent antisocial temperament. A puppy should receive love and positive reinforcement from all members of its family.

Because Mastiffs are large, fast growing dogs and their joint development is slow; the dog’s level of exercise must be monitored closely until the age of 18 months to prevent injuries. You must monitor activity level to avoid over-exertion while insuring that the dog receives sufficient exercise. This can normally be accomplished by such means as   short walks or play sessions with toys. Be careful to stop when the dog shows signs of fatigue; don’t take young puppies on long walks unless you can carry them home! 

 Mastiffs are Stoic--they will endure a great amount of discomfort/pain before showing symptoms.  So just because you dog is happy and appears to enjoy running doesn't mean it's not causing him harm.  I have begun to screen my dogs hips and elbows with OFA pre-lim x-rays before allowing them to train for jumping or before they do  daily running exercises.

FYI--my first Mastiff was an 16 month old rescue who would run 2-4 miles per day with my husband--he loved to run.  After a few months, he pulled up lame one day.  When I took him to the vet, x-rays showed he had SEVERE hip dysplasia.  I was horrified that we had allowed this dog to run with such severe CHD.   Of course, his running days were over.  He would stand at the window each day and cry as he watched my husband jog off on his run:  although it would cause him pain , he still wanted to run. These dogs will endure just about anything in order to be with their families.

 Particular care must be taken to insure that a puppy is not injured or over-tired by play with a mature dog. Never leave a puppy under the age of 6 months alone with adult dogs. Always supervise any Interaction to prevent injury to the puppy.  Once again, trauma or injuries at a young age can lead to hip and elbow injuries.

Remember, the time, expense, and care you provide these first few months determines a great deal of the overall size, health, soundness, and longevity of your puppy. Proper loving care will produce a most devoted companion. As Mastiff breeders and owners, we want the Mastiff to be as we call them “gentle giants” and loyal guardians with loving temperaments and proud demeanor who can physically meet the needs of a companion dog.

Cathy (Catie) Arney
Kiokeemastiffs@embarqmail.com