Would you consider a bitch whose ears flare up on foods containing corn to have "allergies"? No chewing of the feet, no other issues but ears gunking up on food with corn. I'm talking for breeding purposes here.
Why do you consider it an allergy?
Dogs are not supposed to eat corn. It is only in so many dog foods because it is cheap, not because it is beneficial to them.
There are many good dog foods without corn that are not that expensive. I'm just gong to EVO today (it is grainless) because of yeasty ears and I will post the results, if you'd like.
Why does everyone assume allergies in dogs will be passed down genetically? I have allergies and neither of my parents or anyone in our family we know of for that matter ever had allergies. Furthermore, I know lots of families with one member who has allergies when no one else does. Any opinions or rationalizations for these beliefs would be welcomed.
Why does everyone assume ear problems and skin problems are allergies and food related? Any allergy specialist worth his salt will not test for allergies until the dog has been through a program of ivermectin to rule out mites first.
Dogs haave been eating corn for years with no problems.It is only recently the exotic food and diseases have emerged.I find it hard to believe we are suddenly breeding such unhardy dogs.
Ear problems require constant attention until cleared up. They can be caused by mites, bacteria or yeast.
Believe it. Over vaccination and poor quality diets actually create immune deficiencies that are passed down through generations and the effects are cumulative. It is something we need to address as breeders IMO.
"I find it hard to believe we are suddenly breeding such unhardy dogs."
Although we all have been eating corn for years, the industry surely changes fertilizers and herbicides, etc, in order to be more cost effective. What they used 10 years ago may be a lot different than what it is today. Look at the dog food industry. They sweep something up off the floor and throw it in the food. Then they call it an ingredient.
If it were the ONLY thing wrong with my bitch, I would breed her, but then gain, I would make sure she wasn't eating corn and made it explicitly clear to buyers that I want my pups on better food. It's not like you can get good food these days w/o corn, wheat or soy for a decent price.
Quoting Just Breeder:
"Believe it. Over vaccination and poor quality diets actually create immune deficiencies that are passed down through generations and the effects are cumulative. It is something we need to address as breeders IMO.
"I find it hard to believe we are suddenly breeding such unhardy dogs."
"Immune deficiencies" are when the body cannot fight off disease because a part of the immune system is lacking or not functioning (ex. chemo patient). Allergies happen when the bodies immune system is in OVERDRIVE, over-reacting to harmless substances (an ingested protein or an inhaled pollen) as if they were harmful.
Many people try to correct minor faults and problems by over-supplementing with over-the-counter vitamins and supplements in an effort to "boost" the immune system, add bone, fix coat or prevent this or that. Let the puppy grow up eating food and drinking water without pills, powders or any additives. Give the puppy a chance to develop his own natural immune system on his own. If a problem arises, then treat the problem, not just the symptoms. I hear so many breeders sending pups home with supplements or telling buyers that they need to have their dog on high doses of Vit. C. No amount of pills or powder will change what is determined by breeding. Just because vitamins are easily obtainable, touted as natural or non-toxic doesn't mean they won't have undesirable, serious or long term effects to the immune system. Some of these supplements are responsible for side effects that are mistaken for allergies.
Feed a good diet, don't supplement, don't routinely use anti-biotics unless proven that they are needed and don't over vaccinate. Breed and raise pups responsibly, learn and educate. Have you ever noticed that most of those web articles that advocate supplements have financial interest in the products? Is their research legitimate?
