Blind, Deaf, and Epileptic by Design

This dog is blind, deaf, epileptic, and in joint pain at age 4.

In the July issue of Dog's Today, I give "Terrierman's Top Ten Tips for Avoiding Expense & Misery," pinging off of the story of the tallest dog in the world (a harlequin Great Dane) and the oldest (a 26-year old cross-bred Jack Russell Terrier).

As I noted in that piece, the Great Dane in question died at age seven, euthanized after coming down with cancer -- a very common outcome for this breed.

So who is the "tallest dog in the world now?

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, it is a 4-year old Great Dane named Titan who is "blind, deaf, epileptic and undergoes acupuncture and chiropractic adjustments every three weeks."

Great. A total genetic mess. The only good thing here is that the dog was adopted by its current owner from a Tennessee Great Dane Rescue.

Let's be clear here: Breeding defective dogs that live in pain is a type of systematic animal abuse.

We know how to breed healthier dogs. To not do it is a violence.

Thinking about getting a dog? Think and research before you adopt or buy.
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