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The opposite condition to achondroplasia is 

 known as acromegaly and is due to an opposite 

 disturbance of the normal functioning of the 

 hypophysis-pituitary complex. It is characterized 

 by excessive growth of bone in the linear direction. 

 Human acromegalics are apt to become excessively 

 tall, their faces growing exceedingly long and their 

 chins very protruding. Acromegaly is often but 

 not always associated with gigantism, which pre- 

 sumably results from an abnormally active thy- 

 roid gland . Among the dogs, writes Stockard, 

 the St. Bernard, the mastiff and some others show 

 symptoms of acromegaly along with gigantism. 

 The bloodhound, on the other hand, is a splendid 

 example of the acromegalic type without gigantism 

 and his facial expression and general appearance 

 are closely similar to the human acromegalic. 



The opposite condition to gigantism, known as 



ateleosis, is responsible for the production of true 



midgets, which typically grow normally for five 



or six years after birth and then stop growing. 



They may or may not become sexually mature and 



often retain infantile faces. Among dogs the King 



Charles spaniel is in "shape, outline and expression 



ahnost a picture of the human midget " (Stockard). 



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