The Practical Applications of Canine Genetics

By William Given

For most dog breeders, the highly experienced and novice alike, genetics can be both a confusing and intimidating topic. This article is intended to dispel some of the more commonly held misconceptions about the practical application of canine genetics, and offer some simplified explanations which will hopefully help the average guy (or gal) understand a few of the basic concepts of genetics that are important in owning and breeding purebred dogs. This is not intended to be a scholarly article, but rather to serve as an introductory primer on the subject.

THE FALLACIES:

1. Purebred dogs are genetically “weaker” than mixed breed dogs. Mongrels, as they are often referred to, are susceptible to the exact same canine diseases that occur in pure-bred dogs and with the same frequency for common diseases, and they exhibit more genetic faults and negative inherited traits than any single pure breed of dog. There have been countless studies with verified statistics that show this premise is a fraud, however, these studies never seem to convince those committed to believing the myth.

This is quite likely due to a combination of the following factors:

A) No veterinarian, veterinary research biologist, breeder or owner has ever attributed a single fault or disease to a mixed breed mating.
B) The average healthy mixed breed dog goes relatively unnoticed except by his or her adoring family, while one chronically ill purebred Labrador Retriever or German Shepherd Dog with hip dysplasia gets more than their share of the press. This is due to the agenda promoted by AR groups.
C) Sick and injured mutts are much less likely to be counted in any survey as they are less likely to be one of those dogs taken to a veterinary hospital or clinic for expensive, palliative care.
D) There is a certain charm in believing that “Dame Nature” does a much better job than does man with the support of the science of genetics and thorough pedigree analysis. We should be quick to acknowledge that she does not look after any of her creations. Injury, illness and death is how Nature thins out her population. Nature’s method for managing inherited or congenital conditions is to allow those individuals so stricken to die. As breeders, we do a much better job. We work hard to increase the odds of healthy puppies which will enjoy long lives with owners who cherish them.

Short URL: http://caninechronicle.com/?p=116128

Posted by Alex on Nov 18 2016. Filed under Current Articles, Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.