I took my two dogs to the vet for jabs and rabies vaccination (pet passport). While there, the vet was asking some general questions about their health. First she asked whether we had any issues with sensitive stomachs, which we don't. Her response was 'oh, thats unusual for the breed'. I don't actually know of any other dogs of this breed that are particularly sensitive to food.

She then went on to ask other questions about health/temperament and apparently all of them were 'not normal' for the breed.

I'm just wondering if others receive sweeping statements about their breed?
It worries me...I don't like the idea of walking into a vets and having them make assumptions about my dogs before they have met them. If they're sick I don't want to be fobbed off with a 'it's just a breed thing'...

You see it in the media all the time and it's hardly helpful to tar all dogs of a particular breed with the same brush...

Anyway - just annoyed me!

> I'm just wondering if others receive sweeping statements about their breed?

Buster had stinky anal glands, when the vet saw him (not his usual vet, but from the same practice). She said he must have been in a lot of pain as his anal sacs were full, I said he hadn't shown any signs of pain and no scooting, no licking his bum etc, to which she replied "well, he's a Mastiff, they tollerate a very high level of pain".

I was a bit insulted at the time, as I watch him very closely for any signs of pain due to his elbow displasia and took it as I was being neglectfull in my observations.
However, after him being on Metecam (his usual vet's recomendation), due to his elbow displasia and some minor 'oddities' on rising coming from his hips/rear leg, I've noticed a very subtle shift in his gait. He no longer has the 'oddities' with his hips/rear leg. He must have been in pain or discomfort that he was not displaying :(

I don't think sweeping statements are meant as a bad thing, it's a good thing when the vet does take into account the breed. Breed can play a massive role in signalling what is wrong or more likely to be wrong and it's good to know the vets are aware of problems that are prevelant in breeds and even general breed characteristics such as high pain tollerance, low pain tollerance, very vocal, not vocal etc. as they all can help in deducing the level of discomfort a dog is actually in.

The vets will unfortunately also see a lot of poorly bred dogs of every breed, the problems your vet mentioned may be rife in the puppy-farm version of your breed :(

I don't know about 'sweeping statements', but I do get irritated when I meet a vet who looks as my Basset(s) and then comes out with stuff like bad backs, bad ears, skin infection etc.    It's too easy to generalise on any breed.   I also went to a vet years ago who did have a client who bred Bassets.   Just because she had problems going on, automatically he felt I'd have the same.   NOT SO and as a result, I moved on.   I like it when I find a vet who is willing to listen to me - I had another out in Canada, a super guy, who was prepared to learn from me about my Bassets, just as I was happy to learn from him when it came to surgery and drugs!!!   This was an ideal relationship - he respected me for my specific knowledge, and I respected him.

If your relationship with this vet isn't going to work - move on!

I guess it is all down to what they are used to seeing at the practice -and if for instance there is a nearby puppy farm or back yard breeder or petshop, they will no doubt have seen a lot of problems that may be common to all the dogs from the same source, but perhaps not to the BREED. It's easy to get blinded after a while and assume it applies to an entire breed. I know it happened to me after a while when I worked as a vet nurse. At least a case like yours, where you were able to buck the trend, helps the vet to realise it might NOT be the entire breed that is affected.

The only thing that has happened to me is that several times I have been told "Oh Belgian Shepherds have SO much better temperaments then German Shepherds, don't they!" when at the vets with my dogs. Now my vet has at least two successful BSD breeders/exhibitors as clients, with dogs that most likely are pretty well trained and used to shows and so may give a better impression than a few pets of another breed from single dog owners.

Try owning a Cavalier!

Sweeping statements abound. Vets, fellow dog walkers, the Media, the general public and often...a fair old sprinkling here on CD.

I only need invite a workman into my home to hear the good old chestnut....." Those dogs all have bad hearts and brain disease".

Give me strength!

What ever sweeping statements my vet might make about other breeds, he certainly doesn't about all Golden retrievers being friendly and good tempered as the only dog bite he has ever had was from a Golden. (Not one of mine, I hasten to add!)

Have seen various vets over the years & our present one was highly recommended by someone I respect & value. He's been fantastic with the dogs, see's us a lot more than I'd wish, but on our first meeting he let me know this thoughts, ears, skin, backs, eyes the list grew long. On our third visit he was just about to get going when I cut him short, Yes I know how you feel & they're some points I'd agree with, but can you please just treat my boys & not the breed.   

Its true about their experience clouding their view. I know there's a very poor breeder around here whose dogs have questionable temperaments and health. Maybe that's it. Such a shame. Feel for you Tooolz...you must put up with a lot of it.