Ambrose was a delightful Maremma, confident, mischievious and affectionate - but very laid back and easy going, submissive and biddable. He also won well in the show ring, gaining a CC and 4 RCCs before he was a year old and Top Puppy in Breed in 2000. He was all we could hope for.
But at about 20 months of age he suddenly and without warning attacked Rachel - the first of a number of incidents we were to experience over the next 9 months. His behaviour was so out of character that we sought advice from both our vet and a behavioural trainer, who were both convinced that his problem had a physical cause. After much investigation we discovered that he had Autoimmune Thyroiditis, a condition in which the body's antibodies attack its own thyroid. AIT has been linked to behavioural change by Dr Jean Dodds, world expert on immunology, and she agreed that this was the most likely cause of his aggression. Although we managed to control it to a degree, the attacks recurred and eventually the risk of serious injury became too great.
He was PTS on 24/1/02 at only 2 years old. He died gently and peacefully in our arms and is desperately missed. We hope that this condition is rare in Maremmas but we ask fellow breeders to be vigilant for any cases of sudden behaviour change in dogs they have bred. We would not wish anyone else to go through this terrible experience.
Rest well Bros - we won't forget.
For more information on Autoimmune Thyroiditis see the Health page.
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"When the body that lived at your single will, With its whimper of welcome, is stilled (how still!); When the spirit that answered your every mood Is gone--wherever it goes--for good, You will discover how much you care, And will give your heart for the dog to tear." Rudyard Kipling, The Power of the Dog |
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