On Wed, 7 Feb 2001 15:46:16 -0500 Irene <[log in to unmask]> writes:
 > Is it a good thing to achieve the maximum height possible? I know
> that people who have large/giant breed dogs have to be very careful
about
> feeding their pups because excessive bone growth can lead to severe
skeletal
> problems in later life.

Ardeith writes:
I've known both Irish Wolfhound and Great Dane breeders
.......they do indeed have to take great care with the feeding
of these pups.....they also have to take great care that the
pups do not injure the growth areas of their bones...I forget
what that area is called, but it remains rather soft and
flexible for a long time while the pup is growing and can
be injured, causing crippling in the pup.   It is also a fact
that these giant breeds of dogs do not live all that long....
seven years is considered average for these giants....
while small breeds such as chihuahuas and yorkies
can live into their 'teens........

Saw and "Investigative Reports" on the dish last
summer about giant people.....those who reach
seven feet in height or more.....those folks often
have problems with bone deformities and seldom
live beyond 40 years of age......I knew the Giant
who travelled with the Royal American carnival
in the 50's and 60's......when he was young....
when I knew him, he was in his fifties....and
could no longer stand erect.......I don't think
he made it to sixty years.   And didn't Andre
the Giant die at a relatively young age?

Being a giant is not all it's cracked up to be.
Neither is being a Little Person.....there are
problems associated with the extremes on
both ends of the scale.....

The medical profession now tries to intervene
when children display the traits of either
extreme.....I don't know how successfully.

[log in to unmask]
Walk The Path With Practical Feet!

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