In 2 years I will be getting a Dogo. They are known for very bad hips and I would like to do activites that work his hips; Weight Pulling, Skijoring, Bikejoring, Hiking. I am a very active person and the new standrad/show Dogo Argentino's are too heavy so I must get one from a working line breeder with leaner dogs. But the Breeders that I have chosen, and almost every single working breeder, doesn't check for HD in their breed stock. Right now I am researching on what supplements and things I can do to lower his risks for HD? I heard no jumping while under 12 months, taking supplements, low exercise under 12 months, and then only exercsing the dogs on natural surfaces. I literally just began this so I have no idea what supplements he will need. Oh he will be fed Raw too.

Here's my take based upon what you wrote: I'm not sure how much $ you will be investing in this pup for purchase, but one thing I have learned is to pick the right dog for the right job. Sound structure is paramount for the activities you are wanting this dog to participate in. Personally I would not, knowing this breed is prone to HD, pick a dog predisposed to health troubles and set myself up for heartache (and a depleting bank account). Since you have two years to make this decision, I suggest you read this book:

http://www.dogwise.com/itemdetails.cfm?ID=dan125

I attended a seminar by Pat Hastings and it was incredibly informative. One thing I learned: someone brought their champion Westie (he has so many AKC titles I couldn't remember them all) to be evaluated structurally by Pat, this lady had been running agility with him, however, she wasn't getting the results she expected after much training. Pat showed her why the dog was having issues of not being able to do the things needed to be a competitive agility contender - it was the dogs structure. He just couldn't do what was needed to be faster or more agile. Saddest thing - she had been breeding this dog to continue it's "championship" lines. Sad, sad, sad. And we wonder why our full breeds have so many issues.

Anyway that's just my 2-biscuits!

QUOTE: " I would not, knowing this breed is prone to HD, pick a dog predisposed to health troubles and set myself up for heartache (and a depleting bank account). Since you have two years to make this decision, I suggest you read this book:

http://www.dogwise.com/itemdetails.cfm?ID=dan125 "




Besides what Tanya says, there is no way in heck I would even consider ever acquiring a dog from a breeder who "doesn't check for HD in their breed stock."

The breed is high up there on the HD-probability list, and there are other breed health challenges, such as a susceptibility to deafness; they also have a higher-than-average heart and thyroid problem incidence, as I recall.

A breeder who does not x-ray stock for HD (and submit the results) and do complete health testing would be absolutely 100% off my list, and this is without even thinking of Weight Pulling, Skijoring, Bikejoring, Hiking.

Supplements don't "lower HD risk" for any dog of any breed. Supplements and weight control are part of helping the poor dog who has HD (which is heritable) deal somewhat with some of the effects.

JMO.

I hope the breeders here will read this and add their opinions of breeders who "don't check for HD in their breed stock."

Temperment is also an isssue with the Dogo. You do not want an intensely guarding-reactive dog pulling you over on a bike to get to someone or another dog. As an average size, relatively strong woman I don't know if I could physically manage a Dogo or feel comfortable bringing such a powerful, potentially dangerous dog to public areas without 110% control of him. Not that everyone shouldn't have control of their dogs, but stuff can happen, especially if the dog is pulling in harness which give you less control.

I would instead consider a dog more suited phsyically for what you want. I'd recommend pointers, alaskan husky types, lurchers, and malinois.

If your heart is set on a Dogo meet some and handle some first. They are not 'easy' dogs and are extremely powerful.

Supplements are no cure, although they do lessen symptoms- and then not always if the condition is severe enough. Prevention is the best medicine. Don't buy from any breeder who does not test hips or whatever other genetic ailments the breed is subject to.

Temperment is also an isssue with the Dogo. You do not want an intensely guarding-reactive dog pulling you over on a bike to get to someone or another dog. As an average size, relatively strong woman I don't know if I could physically manage a Dogo or feel comfortable bringing such a powerful, potentially dangerous dog to public areas without 110% control of him. Not that everyone shouldn't have control of their dogs, but stuff can happen, especially if the dog is pulling in harness which give you less control.

I would instead consider a dog more suited phsyically for what you want. I'd recommend pointers, alaskan husky types, lurchers, and malinois.

If your heart is set on a Dogo meet some and handle some first. They are not 'easy' dogs and are extremely powerful.

Supplements are no cure, although they do lessen symptoms- and then not always if the condition is severe enough. Prevention is the best medicine. Don't buy from any breeder who does not test hips or whatever other genetic ailments the breed is subject to.

 Quote: Kiersten Lippman

Don't buy from any breeder who does not test hips or whatever other genetic ailments the breed is subject to.

Billboard!

Thanks for the replies. I know supplements will help but which ones exactly? Of course my Dogo will be kept lean. Anything I can do to lessen the chances I will do. There are breeders who do and don’t check hips on my “list”. I will decide what breeder I buy my puppy from when the time comes. The reason I am considering buying a puppy from these breeders who do not check for HD is because their Dogo’s are a better weight for lots of exercise. I want the dog to have a large head/jaw/skull, Have the drives to do Springpole (hang on tire or rope), be large (80-95 lbs), to not have a lot of hair like the Briard, no breeds with pushed-in-noses like the Boxer, and be athletic. When you add all of these things up there are few breeds that would be good for me. I love Dutch Shepherds and Malinois’s but I want a working line and I cannot afford the French Ring training and Club fees. About 10 years down the road I will be ready for a DS or Mal.
I will make sure the sire/dam I get my puppy from are not dog aggressive. I won’t be taking my dog to dog parks or anything but he will go hiking so he needs to ignore other dogs and get along with my senior Lab if he is still around.

"I know supplements will help but which ones exactly? .... Anything I can do to lessen the chances I will do."

Supplements do not lessen chances of HD. All they can do is provide a small amount of help with a dog who already has it.

HD is mostly (almost entirely) genetic. The environmental factors that contribute to its development have nothing to do with supplements.

Thinking in these terms, with a breed that has sky-high HD rates, is worse than counterproductive.

JMO.


"The reason I am considering buying a puppy from these breeders who do not check for HD is because their Dogos are a better weight for lots of exercise. "

Fortunately, you have time to find the ones who do.

Ok. I am going to contact those breeders and see if they simply do not post it on their website. Is there a way I can show you the BIG difference I am talking about between these working lines Dogo's and the Show ones who test for HD? Can I post the links on here?

You can post links.
No one is arguing your reasoning behind wanting a slimmer type, considering what you want to do with the dog.

They're explaining that even with a slimmer working line dog, considering the activities you wish to participate in, it won't matter how slim the dog is as far as Hip Displaysia is concerned if the breeding pair passed HD onto the litter. It would be better to take a bit longer to find a REPUTABLE breeder of working line Dogo's who does test for HD.
In the long run...it's the better choice.

If you are contacting those breeders, if they do confirm they don't test hips, ask why they don't?
To me, that would be a red flag right away if they just say they don't.
To me, that should be a given for any breeder of large breed dogs that are suseptible to HD.