[Combat dogs--dangerous dogs].

The claim that the so-called "Kampfhunde" are becoming increasingly dangerous to humans has been the subject of much discussion in Germany. A critical analyses of canine breeds that have been classified as "Kampfhunde" convinces that breed is not an useful possibility for avoiding accidents with dogs: 1. Zoologically no particular breed of dog can be classified as being more dangerous than others and 2.

[Life expectancy and cause of death in dogs. I. The situation in mixed breeds and various dog breeds].

The present study on life expectancy and cause of death is based upon data from 9,248 dogs. The entire sample showed a life expectancy of 10.0 years.

[The nature of the dog--a contribution to the keeping and breeding of so-called fighting dogs].

The behavioural repertoire of dogs derives from that of the wolf. But there are distinct race-specific differences which go back to the man's breeding influence in the course of domestication to develop special qualities in dogs. Today, dog keeping no longer corresponds to these qualities of dogs in many ways.

[Morphometric studies of radiographic pictures of lumbar vertebrae of healthy Boxers and Boxers with spondylosis].

Length and height measurement of the third lumbar vertebra in 286 radiographs of 140 male and 146 female Boxers was carried out to defect differences between dogs with and dogs without spondylosis. No differences could be established. However, there were statistically significant differences in the length of the vertebra between male and female dogs within the age groups (below two years and above 5 years) and between bitches younger than two years and bitches older than 5 years.