Animal Protection: Stop inbreeding, open registries, ban unhealthy breeds, curtail shows

[Henk ten Klooster]

Ban unhealthy breeds, attack inbreeding by opening up of registries permanently, stop breed standard exaggeration, curtail shows.

That is the advice of the Animal Protection the Netherlands (Dierenbescherming). With more than 40% of purebred dogs something is wrong, states the organization. Main source of that according to Animal Protection: dogshows.

Most Dutch media were focusing on this these days, after broadcasting of the British documentary Pedigree Dogs Exposed on television.

How is that in your culture and what is your opinion?

[eva ciechonska]

Don't be facetious Margaret, it doesn't become a woman of your experience, you know full well what I meant. You know your argument can equally be applied to working lines and lets not start on that one again. I am trying to keep a positive balance here.

[Margaret Sierakowski]

Glad you knew I was being facetious (VBG). I have exactly the same problem in IRWS - who are said to be a breed with few genetic and health problems, so I constantly wonder why I have such difficulty finding a good stud dog to use who doesnt carry some genetic baggage with him that I would rather not acquire if I can avoid it

[Catherine Carter]

The main problem in the UK is that breeders tend to use the latest big winner as the main stud dog and discard all these healthy and beautiful other Irish who live to a right old age BUT have not won as many CC.s and awards! This is why we have such a bottleneck at the moment in the Breed!

[Cassie Allen]

I do not think that is just a problem in the UK. Over in th US it is also. I also wonder if the breeders that are mentoring there puppy buyers, that are breeding for the best dog in the area they choose to compete in, may not have the best breeding program then they share that practice with the next generation and every greneration of breeders loose a little bit more till you get breeders that breed line of dogs that always have some type of health problem and do not live to a ripe old age of 13 plus. I hope I explained it well enough.

[Pat Aldridge]

Catherine, it has taken how many pages of postings for this succinct summation to appear - it's called "hitting the nail on the head". Thank you.

This article may be of interest:

[Catherine Carter]

Thank you Pat!

The link you have given us is very much in line with what I think!

[ursula wilby]

Very good...

[Susan Stone]

Thanks for the article!

What I like most is the way it explains that it is not necessarily the 'money aspect' of breeding that leads to a complete silence when unpleasant truths raise their head. It is far more the emotional commitment to one's own lines, to our own favoured dogs we have at home, to the love and pride we have in our own dogs... money is not (always) an issue.

On the other hand I would put a question mark behind what Jerold Bell, geneticist, claims. I do know that his views are not shared by all geneticists - just as not all dog breeders share the same views of other dog breeders...;-)

[Pat Aldridge]

I agree, Susan - often this aspect is not put forward. It is easier in the modern world to think "money".

In this instance I do think Dr Bell has explained why defective genes become spread throughout a breed when unsuspected/possible carriers of such genes are used. Look no further than PRA in the past.

I don't always agree with Dr Bell on everything either LOL

[eva ciechonska]

Susan, do you not agree that Jerold Bell does make a valid point about breeding out recessive genes through selectively mating good dogs who are proven carriers to proven clear dogs and retaining the best of the clear offspring to breed on from. This is a far better way of controling and eliminating a recessive defect than just outbreeding all the time in the hope that it will disappear. That is the best way of losing control. Please re-read Margaret Sierakowski's comment dated 23rd dec. She makes some good points on that specific subject

[Susan Stone]

Eva, I have started a new discussion trying to explain my views. I fully agree with Mararet's comment. If you read the article by Jerold Bell in the ISAE annual review of 2006 I think you may understand my reaction. In his final paragraph he states: quote: 'Breeders should concentrate on selecting towards the breed standard, based on ideal temperament, performance, and conformation and should select against the significant breed-realted health issues. If breeders continually breed healthy, superior examples of their breed and avoid the popular sire syndrome, the genetic health of the breed can be maintained.' end quote
From what I have learned in these last few years about genetics and the narrowing of the gene pool, that is not good enough. Think of Amberlight Firecracker. Once he was confirmed a CLAD carrier he was no longer used at stud except by maybe one or two breeders...

[eva ciechonska]

I do agree with your comments and appreciate your reaction. Many thought that CLAD carriers should be eliminated from the gene pool all together, not surprisingly this applied more to males than to females. Presumably because breeders did not want to lose their bitch lines. It was a great shame they did not choose to invest in Firecracker but he lives on through his grandson Concept, so the lines are still there and clear of course.