The Hunter's Horn
May, 1965
Page Forty-two, Forty -three, Forty-four
Defects Do Breed On
Charlie N. Barron, D.V.M., Ph.D., Chester Springs, Pa.
Hereditary abnormalities in dogs are a continuing problem and a constant source of controversy. The
responsibility for the eradication of these defects rests directly on the dog breeders and their
organizations.
Unfortunately, many dog breeders appear to be unaware of any such defects, and if recognized by
them, they are apparently unaware of their significance and the serious consequences that they may
ultimately have for a breed. For this reason I thought a few comments on some of these problems
might be of interest. My comments will be concerned primarily with foxhounds.
Since the foxhound is a running breed developed for both speed and endurance under frequently
rough terrain, skeletal abnormalities can be of major consequence. Among such anomalies is
improper development of the hip joint (hip dysplasia), a common defect in many breeds of dogs
including all well-known strains of foxhounds. It is especially common in the German Shepherd and
constitutes an economic problem for the Armed Forces because of the increased difficulties and
expense in obtaining suitable dogs for military purposes.
Because this is also a common and serious joint disease in man, further studies of the spontaneous
disease in dogs have been undertaken in the hopes of reducing the problem in both man and dogs.
The genetic makeup of the dog appears to play a significant role in this disease; this applies even
though the complexity of the inherited components of the disease are not fully understood.
Apparently owners usually do not recognize the presence of this disease, attributing the hip defect
and impairment of gait to injury rather than to constitutional weakness. I have seen packs of major
strains of foxhounds in which the majority of the individuals suffered from hip dysplasia. Dogs with
this disease should not be used for breeding purposes; nevertheless, I have seen a number of dogs
with bad hips used for breeding and even offered for sale as prospective stud hounds, the advertiser
attributing the hip disease to injury when a puppy.
Any dog that develops any hip disease in the early years of his life should not be used for breeding
purposes without first having established by roentgenographic examination that the hip disease
definitely be due to injury and unrelated to any congenital defect.
When I lived in Oklahoma in the late 40's and early 50's, a highly prized strain of hounds in the vicinity
of Stillwater, Okla., had congenital bob tails, the tails being only one-half the length of normal hounds.
These tails did not come out to a gradual point, but terminated abruptly as if they had been cut off.
This condition was inherited as a simple dominant factor, one parent always having such a tail. I have
seen crooked tails of various sorts in all major breeds of hounds. I have not noticed any particular
genetic or hereditary aspect. However, I have seen two of the descendants of one well-known hound
in which what would normally be the last inch or two of the tail is reduced to a short irregular
structure, resulting in a dog with a slightly bobbed-tail.
No other anomaly appears to be associated with this, although the condition has not been carefully
studied from either an anatomic or hereditary point of view.
At times the selection for certain features results in the actual selection for anatomic defects. The
standard for the American foxhound calls for a slight arch in the loin. Unfortunately, many judges
apparently do not know what the loin is, or that this slight arch is supposed to result primarily from a
well-muscled loin. Therefore, there has frequently been a preference on the bench for dogs with an
actual kyphosis or hunch back, characterized by an abnormal curvature of the spine, usually located at
the junction of the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae or actually involving the last two or three lumbar
vertebrae.
This has been a comparatively common defect among the sons and daughters and other descendants
of Ohio Ch. Hy-Grade. I have seen hounds with an extremely severe kyphosis, even to the extent of
interfering with the free and proper movement of their hindquarters, given best in show.
The feet of hounds have not escaped the misjudgment of breeder and judges. Personally, I prefer a
hound with a large, thick, compact foot with well-arched toes, very thick pads, and straight toenails. In
recent years I have seen a number of hounds placed high on the bench that had one or more toenails
placed at right angles to the body and foot of the dog. Such dogs, when run, dig out the flesh at the
base of the toe between the nail and the pad, resulting in extreme lameness. This is a very important
defect, and should not be overlooked. In the past I have actually declined to purchase an otherwise
superior hound that went on and did a great deal of winning because the individual had such a defect.
In recent years I have also seen a number of hounds with well-shaped, but especially small, feet win
major shows. While the feet were of excellent quality, they were not half big enough o support the
size of the dog were it to be run hard. This serves to emphasize that the component parts of a dog
must be improper proportion to each other. Even if they be perfect, but not in proper proportion to
each other, the dog should not be permitted to win on the bench.
Deafness in dogs may be acquired, but it is commonly inherited as a recessive genetic factor; that is,
the deaf dog may be the offspring of parents with normal hearing, but the mating of two deaf dogs
produces only deaf offspring. I have seen deaf hounds on a number of occasions, including
individuals of both the Walker and Trigg strains. No hound man should breed from deaf individuals or
permit others to breed from deaf individuals in his possession. (These remarks are directed toward
dogs that were discovered to be deaf in the early years of their life. This does not preclude using for
breeding purposes those old hounds that have become deaf late in life because of senile changes.
Also, certain antibiotics may cause deafness and defects of balancing.)
I have seen many foxhounds that had a shortened lower jaw, a condition that I refer to as “parrot-
mouthed.” This appears to be an inherited defect on a recessive basis. It is probably represented in
all families of foxhounds. It is especially common in inbred descendants of Ch. Master Jo. This is not a
defect produced by inbreeding, but one that is more readily made evident by increasing the
possibilities that individuals carrying the factor are mated together, and thus given the greater
opportunity to produce defective offspring.
This defect does not interfere with running abilities of the hound, although if observed by the judge,
would eliminate the individual from the bench. As a general rule, one should avoid breeding from
individuals that are parrot-mouthed. One of the most beautiful hounds that I have seen in recent
years had this defect, and therefore was killed. This defect has been observed in the descendants of
Champion Rochester Kirby of the Trigg hounds, and West Virginia Pilot of the Walker strain.
I would like to add a few comments on the judging of bench shows. The standard establishes a
minimum and maximum height for both male and female foxhounds. Prior to being permitted into the
show ring, every hound should be measured to establish that he fits within the range permitted by the
standard. If he be either above or below, he should be automatically eliminated from consideration.
In selecting between those hounds that fall within the permissible limits, the size of the individual
should have no bearing on determining which be the better hound. Consideration should be given
merely to overall qualities and symmetry of the individuals.
In judging, the natural class consideration should be given to the conformation and method of going
of the individual hounds. In many shows the awarding of the ribbon in this class is a disgrace, and
sole consideration being given as to whether the hound will stand and travel with his tail erect. In
conjunction with the movements of a hound, carriage should enter into the determination of overall
conformation of individuals. Whether the hound continues to hold its tail erect when not in motion is
immaterial.
Proper movement of the individual hounds should be considered in making all placing on the bench. I
have frequently seen judges, unfortunately, make decisions at major shows without having compared
the movements of the individuals being judged.
Not enough consideration is given by many of our bench show judges to overall hound
characteristics. A pedigree was the only evidence indicating they were foxhounds.
One should be able to learn something by attending a bench show. This applies to both exhibitors and
audience. It should be mandatory for each bench show judge to briefly indicate why he has selected
one individual over another, or why he has penalized or actually eliminated other individuals. This
would hasten the education of both participants and audience, contribute to the growth of the judge’s
ability, and increase interest in foxhound conformation.
The ignorance of many hound owners in the field of foxhound conformation and the reasons for
desiring certain anatomic features are appalling. An effort should be made to overcome this, and the
present judging of hound shows does little in this regard. Frequently the judges serve to confuse
rather than to clarify.