Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/433799
S P O R T I N G C L A S S I C S 9 2 or susceptible to 41 different genetic diseases. The drahthaar, which only closed its gene pool following World War II, is prone or susceptible to two, hemophilia B and type 2 von Willenbrand disease. (Of course, now that the drahthaar gene pool is also closed, it will eventually begin to suffer the same genetic maladies common to all species subject to man's desires and vanities.) If you believe the Labrador's 41 heritable diseases are bad, then consider some others: The Boykin spaniel is relatively healthy, subject to only four genetic diseases (the breed club actually claims six), but one of those is hip dysplasia with an incredible 37 percent rate. The great Chesapeake Bay retriever, the workhorse of American market hunters, is prone to eight heritable diseases, but he is a masterpiece of robust health compared to the golden retriever with 39 known genetic diseases. The standard poodle is subject to 11; the American cocker has 17 listed diseases; the English springer, 24; the Brittany spaniel, eight; English setter, eight; the German shorthaired pointer, 29; Gordon setter, eight; Irish setter, 17, Weimaraner, 12. There are many more; this is not a complete list by any means, nor should it be taken to mean the other breeds are disease-free. And it gets far worse among companion, working, and herding dogs wherever extreme popularity or breeding for one specialized attribute such as size or color or whatever has been allowed to dictate appearance. In fact, I am unaware of any popular breed that is completely free of heritable diseases. L et's look at this from a different perspective. What do you think would happen if somehow, for some reason, all dog breeds were