All large joints are not diseased. In selecting a pup from a litter the big jointed ones ore to be preferred. Enlarged joints, from the want of the hard, earthy materials in the bone, which makes them yielding, so that they cannot support the weight of the body, consequently giving away, producing deformity, are, however, often met with, caused generally by bad food, lack of good water, fresh air and sunshine. (See Rickets.)