Quote: Connie Sutherland

Well, in humans, those with periodontal disease are almost 2x as likely to have coronary artery disease.

Dogs, of course, don't have what we call "heart attacks" because they don't have the kind of coronary artery disease we have (which adds to the reasons why dietary cholesterol is a human problem rather than a canine problem).

CHF in dogs is something different from "heart attacks" (where the heart muscle is damaged) in people; it's a heart valve problem. By far the most common type is when the chambers of the heart enlarge and the wall muscles stretch thin (dilated cardiomyopathy). (Much more rare is when the walls thicken.) Damage to the valves causes failure of the appropriate flow of blood (very oversimplified, of course).

Still, gingivitis (leading to periodontal disease) is a source of serious organ (such as kidney and lung) damage in dogs, and dental care is crucial, IMO, even if pain and infection were not reason enough.

However, if we want to continue a discussion of any of these issues, I should move the thread or a new one should be started, because we are in the Dysplasia forum.

Yes I heard Dialted Caridomyopathy was very bad in Dobermans. Just like Rottweilers It is very bad. I think it is becasue they breed for those oversized chests. What would I know though. I am going to start brushing Gunners teeth next week, my birthday. people always comment on how clean his teeth are even the Vets say so but I don't think they are. I think I will start another thread about diseases in the right forum.

 Quote: tracey holden

Caitlin, have you registered on any Dogo forums? be lots of brains to pick on a breed specific site, with people who will have bred them before, and can recommend reputable breeders hopefully near you, and maybe one or two would be willing to let you meet their adult dog/s to give you an idea what matured Dogos are all about with your own eyes, good and bad, warts and all!

I am a member of Dogoowners.com and I tried becoming a member of another Dogo forum but something went wrong. I have to go fix it later. The ONLY person who answers on the forum I am part of is La Historia Dogos, a breeder. You are lucky ot get an answer to any of your questions even though there are hundreds of members. I will try and fix the problem today.

It's a pity you aren't getting more feedback from Dogo forums, you would think they would welcome a new person interested in their breed??

Keep plugging away on your research, read everything you can get your hands on, keep asking questions, you are giving yourself a sensible amount of time with 2 years to arm yourself with any and all info, so that when the time comes, you will hopefully be able to sort the wheat from the chaff, and the good from the bad, where reputable breeders are concerned, knowledge is power, and preparation crucial

Yep it really is. I think that maybe most people on there are not owners and looking for answers just like me. I am a member of a gret Dutch Shepherd forum that welcomed me with big open arms and always get MANY views and answers. The ebst way for me to get to learn about dogo from owners and breeders is Youtube. I just find videos of Dogos I like and ask them some stuff, working pretty good so far!

 Quote: Caitlin Beaumont

.... Youtube. I just find videos of Dogos I like and ask them some stuff, working pretty good so far!

Please be careful with this. Sending you a PM.

Video can be pretty deceptive. Even I know how to edit.You really need to meet people with the dogs. Here's something else to think about Caitlin. Be wary of a breeder claiming that they're preserving the original Dogo, or bred from the old lines, that kind of thing. Unless they're hunting lions or boars with them, they can't say the dog is capable of doing what it was created for, so they don't know if they've preserved anything or not.

Just from the few that I've seen, and I admit, its only been a few. The thing you seem to want, a stable solid dog to enjoy, may be the toughest thing to find.

Caitlin, I've been keeping up on this thread and had a couple questions for you. I understand you don't want to be judged for your age, so that isn't what I'm trying to do here but rather the fact that the next 5-7 years for you may be a little crazy with all of the life changes that happen between high school and college graduation/ finding your identity in a carreer. Have you given this a lot of thought because a working breed (regardless of what kind) requires SO much time and training that even an above-average trainer in this situation may stuggle to meet the needs of a dog that lives to work. Also, if you plan on getting your own place, it can be very difficult to find a rental that will allow a Bichon, let alone a Dogo unless you are able to purchase a single family home on your own and be in complince with any local or neighborhood breed restrictions. Just some things to think about. I am currently "in waiting" for my dream dog until it is the right time in my life. I've waited 10 years and it will likely be another 8 or so before I have the right lifestyle to support the needs of the dog and my wants. Until then, I am continuing to perfect my training skills and knowledge with the dogs that do fit into my lifestyle. Do you know what training methods you are planning on using yet? Which trainers do you admire the most?

 Quote: steve strom

Video can be pretty deceptive. Even I know how to edit.You really need to meet people with the dogs. Here's something else to think about Caitlin. Be wary of a breeder claiming that they're preserving the original Dogo, or bred from the old lines, that kind of thing. Unless they're hunting lions or boars with them, they can't say the dog is capable of doing what it was created for, so they don't know if they've preserved anything or not.

Just from the few that I've seen, and I admit, its only been a few. The thing you seem to want, a stable solid dog to enjoy, may be the toughest thing to find.

Oh I am going to meet people and their dogs, I am just contacting people through Youtube and asking about their Dogo's and their temperment where they got them, etc. That is not a substitute for visiting just want to see what they have to say about their Dogos. I can easily tell a good breeder from a bad breeder. For example I do not like Las Pampas, a lot of their Dogo's have thin poor coats and the dog just seem unhealthy. I know they also charge the most out of most breeders out there, that doesn't mean they are the best or anything. What Dogos have you met and what did you think about them?

Ok, here I am a little late to the game- as usual. I am confused by a couple of things.

Caitlin, you say you like a dog with a big head- but you like the Mal and Dutchie- can't get a head much more skinny than one found on a Mal or a Dutchie....

You are ruling out great breeds of dogs that are capable of doing the work that you will be doing with your dog, based on the size of it's head....because you say you are "picky"

Yet, you are willing to get a pup from a breed well known for HD from a breeder that doesn't test for HD in the breeding stock. And the work you want to do with the dog relies HEAVILY on healthy and sound hips... Oy...

You have never met a Dogo, have never handled one, so how do you honestly know it's the dog for you? Personally, I've met a few and am not a fan. I wasn't impressed with the quality of work the dogs did, nor was I impressed with the temperaments.

Your experience is with a Lab- who is now a senior so I am assuming that you grew up with him... and that the bulk of his training fell to your parents. A Dogo is not a dog for a "first time" dog owner- which you will be, like it or not. You will not have the experience to deal with aggression- which this breed is VERY well known for...

You like the Mal and the Dutchie as well but say you can't afford them- there are TONS of these dogs in shelters and rescues all over the US. They are busting at the seams in Miami from all the Mals down there- many of which are actually well bred- the owners can't handle the energy so they dump them in shelters. Kelly Byrd here on the board has a Dutchie from a rescue and is currently doing Schutzhund with him.

You are 17- while you don't want your age to factor into this in any way, but it has to... you gain experience and wisdom with age. It's not meant as a slam- when I was 17 I was competeing in National Level Cross Country with my horse and the "veteran" riders didn't show any respect to me- so I know how you feel. The difference is that I actually had experience....

I wish you luck, but this thread has me cringing on the inside...

--Kelly

 Quote: Amy VandeWeerd

Caitlin, I've been keeping up on this thread and had a couple questions for you. I understand you don't want to be judged for your age, so that isn't what I'm trying to do here but rather the fact that the next 5-7 years for you may be a little crazy with all of the life changes that happen between high school and college graduation/ finding your identity in a carreer. Have you given this a lot of thought because a working breed (regardless of what kind) requires SO much time and training that even an above-average trainer in this situation may stuggle to meet the needs of a dog that lives to work. Also, if you plan on getting your own place, it can be very difficult to find a rental that will allow a Bichon, let alone a Dogo unless you are able to purchase a single family home on your own and be in complince with any local or neighborhood breed restrictions. Just some things to think about. I am currently "in waiting" for my dream dog until it is the right time in my life. I've waited 10 years and it will likely be another 8 or so before I have the right lifestyle to support the needs of the dog and my wants. Until then, I am continuing to perfect my training skills and knowledge with the dogs that do fit into my lifestyle. Do you know what training methods you are planning on using yet? Which trainers do you admire the most?

Yep I orignally thought it was going to be 10 years until I could have a dog. But once I did the math I was able to get one MUCH sooner. I will give you a list of what is going to happen:

1. Turn 18 get a car and get a job

2. Drive places and meet people

3. Wait until my B-day next year or whenever I am ready pick a breeder out and put a deposit down on a puppy

4. Buy all the things my puppy will need

5. Take care of my dog

Everything will cost about 8k the first year, Every year after that will cost 5k (gas included).

And here is why I am going to be so flexible to be able to own a dog

1. I do online School, graduate 2014 and am very flexible

2. I am not going to College or any kind of short term school

3. I am staying with my parents for another 2 years after I got my Dog to prepare to live on my own and I a always welcome back even with my dog if something happens.

4. I even researched states that I liked that had the lowest taxes and stuff

5. I get a new job then rent a home or a Apartment and move to Idaho.

I do not plan on having a Trainer, just purchasing many Leerburg books, practicing with neighbors dogs and Gunner, and using those. BUT I will ahve a back-up Trainer. I was thinking Atlanta Working dog Club but this might be too much with the club fees and such so I will look around more later.