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Post by GSDRottiePeiGirl on Jun 12, 2004 19:01:52 GMT -5
Is there any breeds that shouldn't do frisbee? My GSD goes crazy for the disc, and can get good height. But I'm worried about him hurting his hips, or back. He's healthy, but I do worry that he might get hurt jumping for it. One time he went up and came down funny on his leg & started limping, but he was okay. but I felt like
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Post by Aussienot on Jun 12, 2004 20:36:11 GMT -5
The breeds that should not jump regularly are the ones with really long backs in proportion to height - doxies and Bassetts, for example, or those that have very heavy hind quarters with comparatively light front ends - Bulldogs, some Boxers, for example. And very heavy dogs, like Mastiffs and St Bernards are often not areodynamic enough to jump their own height.
The dog needs to be mature enough for his joints and bones to withstand the force of landing; therefore it is considered safer to wait at least one year, and for the bigger breeds, 18 months, before serious jump training.
If I remember, he's not quite a year yet?
Most importantly is over all soundness and fitness. The dog needs to be strong enough to coil his rear haunches under like a spring and power upwards with the release of that tension. His forequarters absorb his weight x velocity upon landing. The heavier the dog and the more powerful the spring the more force the front end must take. The force is intensified if an imediate turn is needed upon landing.
In frisbee, a great deal of flexibility is needed to twist while in the air, which also calls for a really athletic dog. Because of the twist, normally one front leg will bear most of the landing, which puts strain on the pasturn, knee and shoulder. There's no reason why a fit young GSD shouldn't be able to do Frisbee. Make sure you are warming up properly before starting, with lots of gentle stretches and cooling down. Your training program should include lots of strength building and fitness work, with the Frisbee being just part of the work out - maybe 10%.
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