I have a 4' hook, but I worry about breaking a rib. I have a 6' 11 pound female BCI who has been "defensive" lately. I place the hook under her about one third of her body length and try to support the heaviest remaining 2/3rds as much as I can, And I've had success so far with that method, but it still seems like a lot of weight on the hook and she ain't gonna get smaller. The "Gentle Giant" tongs from Midwest are wider (2&1/2 inches), but I think they were mostly designed for hots. How does everyone else handle their large "temperamentals?" Incidently, I suspect the reason she is defensive lately is because she hasn't defacated in over a month-it's happened before. Once she drops the "motherload," she'll be nice again. Always clean, fresh water on the cool side, and I always soak her rats in warm water just to make sure she's hydrated, but she holds on to her $#!* like it was money!

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