|
Location: UK
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,096
|
|
Originally Posted by
MerlinsMum
I wonder why the GSD is in that list, then? If what I've always read is true, then I thought only various herding breeds were used in its make-up (with perhaps a touch of wolf, perhaps not! according to some accounts). Was a breed/s like the Rottweiler included as well, to give size?
I am not surprised to see the Belgians in a separate category along with some sighthounds.... I forget where I read it, but I've always understood they had some sighthound in their far ancestry.
Rough Collie in the same category also makes sense as they were crossed with Borzoi at some point (or so legend has it) which would account for the genetic relationship, although that doesn't really explain the Sheltie, which I always thought may have had distant Spitz ancestry, given the history of its native islands.
I always just assumed, without much thought, that a Sheltie was a bred down rough collie, especially as some dogs can be borderline small RC, large Sheltie?
It's interesting that it confirms what the Belgian people have always known in terms of the BSD and GSD virtually being parallel evolution of form fitting function: two breeds, independently produced, for much the same purpose, hence end up with similar form
(or at least so before the great GSD debate
).
Although some working line Mals are getter more and more simliar to the GSDs, particularly the rectangular rather than square outline, the ear size and the heavier heads.
Physically the head shape of the Belgian is not all that different to the Borzoi, and obviously, as you say, rough collies and Borzoi are reputed to be connected and have similar lack of frontal stop.
Wysiwyg I have found with my Belgians that they have tended to need more GA than standard, to overcome the adrenaline, but I don't know how typical that is and certainly sight hounds can be very sensitive to GAs, but I think Siberians can too.
I think BSDs lack of body fat is more to do with them rarely stopping still and being inactive for too long
Even when stationary they can often be quite stressy and fret weight off
Unfortunately sighthounds can and do put on weight if overfed- fat whippets, IGs and greyhounds etc look awful
Although with some sighthounds getting them eat enough to hold weight can be tricky, but I think that is maybe more a mental outlook than a genetic inability to store body fat and it sometimes changes with age. I.e when younger they eat to live (unlike Labradors who generally live to eat), as they slow down and settle they can use up less energy and gain a better appetite.