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Re: [pyrnet] RE: Pedigree Dogs Exposed



I have a friend who is a breeder/exhibitor who is working with Stanford to eliminate genetic disease prevalent in her breed while maintaining desired qualities. She lost $5,000. last year. Although she has only 1-3 litters a year, her dogs are pricey, but worth it and have lovely temperaments as well. 
 
Shari
 
In a message dated 12/10/2009 11:29:56 A.M. Central Standard Time, laurie88888@yahoo.com writes:
Hello,
 
Genetics is one of my favorite topcis to teach in my college bio classes and I often use canine examples.  A large gene pool is theoretically great but is only useful if all members are participating in breeding.  It is true that if all members of a *species* are interbreeding recessive diseases and health issues are much more rare.  Please remember that in the case of a dog breed we are automatically dealing with an artifically-selected subset of the species so the gene pool is already reduced and modified. 
 
In the case of show-quality dogs the gene pool is further reduced.  Certain individuals and lines are used much more extensively and it's the care a breeder takes to *not* breed dogs with defects that matters.  But we all know that there are breeders who breed dogs that have known defects because the value of other characteristics of the dog prevail.  So we have to think about the actual gene pool that is being used - just because a breed becomes popular and more numerous doesn't solve any problems.  This leads to the second issue, as we all know - back-yard breeders, often well-intentioned people who are just naive, that breed without checking for known disorders in the breed.  They usually don't know what the issues are and certainly wouldn't pay the hundreds of dollars to have their dogs checked prior to breeding - even if they think they are going to make lots of money selling pups.  There is no quality-checking going on.  In both cases (unethical breeder and back-yard breeder) the appearance of recessive genetic/health problems is not being addressed through good selection of the parents of the next generation. (Please realize I do know that sometimes these issues arise after a dog has been bred, sometimes extensively - but it's still the breeder's duty to make every effort to get that genetic set out of the breeding pool.)
 
Speaking to the choir here, I'm sure, but really, the only way to clear up these problems is for breeders to be responsible in their own crosses and for breeders to be sure pet-quality puppies they sell are spayed or neutered.  Even the sale of show-quality puppies should include some assurance that the new owners have knowledge of possible genetic/health issues and must return to the original breeder before breeding their dog.
 
Personally I see trends in breeds that don't seem to make the breed more "popular" to the general public - such as the newer type German Shepard that crouches in the rear end and the changes in the Irish Setter prior to that.  Somehow the breeds morph into new "trendy" forms and I'm not sure how that occurs - I certianly don't think it's a preference coming from the general public - except perhaps by the overdue influence of certain breeders?
 
Laurie

--- On Thu, 12/10/09, Amy Bailey <amy.bailey@myfairpoint.net> wrote:

From: Amy Bailey <amy.bailey@myfairpoint.net>
Subject: RE: [pyrnet] RE: Pedigree Dogs Exposed
To: pyrnet-l@pyrnet.org
Date: Thursday, December 10, 2009, 11:00 AM

Keith,

 

Makes sense that popular dogs will be healthier  if there is a large gene pool to start.  They stated that the Cavalier is the sixth most common dog in the UK.  Could be that too few were used to start to breed, so many are now inter-related.    I agree that irresponsible breeders are to blame, but they are responding to a market so popularity does matter.  If people were not interested in the dogs, there would be no reason to breed more.   It may be very difficult to remedy the situation for this breed in the UK now without importing different lines.  According to this report, serious heart and neurological issues are now common to the breed in the UK.   

Amy

From: owner-pyrnet-l@pyrnet.org [mailto:owner-pyrnet-l@pyrnet.org] On Behalf Of KEITH WEBER
Sent: Thursday, December 10, 2009 10:40 AM
To: Pyr-Net
Subject: [pyrnet] RE: Pedigree Dogs Exposed

Hello,
I do not think popularity really has anything to do with the health of the breed. If you really think about it, the very popular breeds... ones with millions of dogs, should be the most healthy (phyically and genetically) as there will be a large gene pool and lots of good sires/dams to select among and pair up.  
 
The real problem underlying the health issues is irresponsible breeders.  The ones who are in it to produce a product (puppies) and make money.  Of course, these folks are not breed fanciers of any sort, they choose a marketable breed, get a male and female, and start up the assembly line.
 
I am quite disgusted with these sorts of folks... they are going to ruin lots of breeds.

  Keith and Soo Weber                                              
  http://www.sdk-weber.com