Reptile & Amphibian Forums

For those of you that don't know, Kaiser is an 8 month old GSD/Corgi mix, as far as we know.

I was just doing some more reading on health problems common in both breeds, and it seems to me that GSDs have tons of inherent health complications, and corgis have very few.

One site mentioned that a mixed breed dog is more likely to have the genetic problems of the breed it looks like more (although that's not a strict rule by any means, of course)..

So what I want to find out is, genetically, which breed is more dominant in my guy..

He weighs 30lbs and has the face and colouring of a GSD without a doubt, and has an entirely corgi body except for his mammoth sized paws..

This isn't important in any way, shape, or form, I'm just curious And it would be nice to have some better idea of what problems I should really be watching for..

I doubt that y'all will have to worry about any genetic issues with your dog that are not common to BOTH breeds. Defects appearing in purebreds are the result of recessive genes (if not, the defect could be bred out in a single generation by simply not breeding the affected dog) and require both parents be carriers to produce puppies with the defect. Mixed breeds rarely suffer from any of the genetic issues of the parent breeds because the defects are different for each breed.

Jade
handler/trainer
rehab-problem dog trainer

Smug Pugs

>>Defects appearing in purebreds are the result of recessive genes (if not, the defect could be bred out in a single generation by simply not breeding the affected dog)

Jade, this is simply not true. Many deleterious traits are multi-factorial with a complicated mode of inheritance, and not simple recessives at all. Furthermore, due to carrier status, sex linked traits, incomplete penetrance, and many other factors, this situation is considerably more complex than you are making it out to be.

>> Mixed breeds rarely suffer from any of the genetic issues of the parent breeds because the defects are different for each breed.
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Christie Keith
Caber Feidh Scottish Deerhounds
Holistic Husbandry since 1986
www.caberfeidh.com/
Dogged Blog

Leah, my totally uneducated opinion is that Kaiser's attitude has been formed by his past/early experiences with humans. That, because it was so bad, superseeds or perhaps combines the worst of what would be naturally good temperment traits in either GSD or Corgi
Even though you have not always been given the best methods of dealing with his problems, you are doing a remarkable job of keeping at it & I for one, am really pulling for the both of you. Just keep reading him & loving him & realize that you are helping him overcome a really bad start. We all encourage socialization but in this case, perhaps more trust building & less external stimulation.

Thank you very much Countryhounds, but I really was asking what sort of physical problems I may be coming into

We've been through so much already in just the 5 short weeks we've been living with Kaiser, I wish there was some way to be prepared for whatever might show up in the future. I know of course that that is not possible but I had to ask anyway, just to be sure..

dropped in to check the newest posts

A friend of mine worked with a University years ago, and did test breedings between a breed which has little HD, and a breed riddled with it(Borzoi Vs GSD)

An interesting comment she made to me once was the ones who looked more Borzoiish, had good hips, those who looked more GSDish, were more likely to have HD.
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PHBorzoi

Mielikki's Hunt Borzoi
http://www.mielikkishunt.com

Treasure the past, don't mourn it.
A balanced dog has a title on both ends.