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Study: Most Dog Breeds Highly Inbred

ucdavis.edu

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Re: Study: Most Dog Breeds Highly Inbred

#81

Post by hycaria »

JadoJodo wrote: post #76

I've often wondered why breeders don't do more cross-breeding across areas. Travel time aside, I think it would be a good investment into what is literally a business. e.g. If I'm a Border Collie breeder in Nevada, I could meet up with another Border Collie breeder in Arizona or Idaho and do an "exchange". While this does water down the lines, as each breed is probably generally in the top-tier form of whatever they'…

This happens. Mostly buying fresh blood from overseas in my (European) experience. Like Maine coons from Russia, bull terriers from Australia … It’s more rare in the same country (where they could just buy sperm). Sometimes they just use a fellow breeders (and friend I suppose) male for a few litters.

Re: Study: Most Dog Breeds Highly Inbred

#82

Post by h2odragon »

californical wrote: post #69
h2odragon wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I put the effort into the first one i met; she was named "Rascal" and one of the best dogs evar! (as they all are, of course :) I had her when the next one decided she needed to try to be boss; and then that pup left to run a wild dog pack for a couple years. they were decent neighbors but didnt thrive. We'd put out food at their corner of the place and they'd sometimes accept some, she set and respect boundaries oth…

Thanks for sharing! I’m curious how you’d identify a “psycho” dog in a shelter, assuming you don’t have tons of time with the dogs. Are there some particular traits that are obvious or quickly identifiable? I’m curious just from a knowledge perspective, but also what someone should look out for if they’re adopting a dog?

My wife calls me a werewolf, I can't say she's wrong. I speak dog.

"Psycho" is probably a bad word to use. "Independent" could fit many of them. Too smart to be dogs. ... It's a spectrum and many of them can find places they fit.

There are dogs that you just can't trust. The ones whose greatest joy is being aggressive, and are independent minded or otherwise unwilling to listen to anyone else anymore. Or too stupid to understand, for whom the world is a terrifying place and there is nothing but cringe.

One of Rascal's puppy moves was, after peeing on the floor and not wanting to be pushed outside, a leap for the throat and bulldog "hang on and wrench" attack. That kind of disproportionate response is a bad sign. Lack of fear and "pain don't teach" are bad signs. Perhaps this dog would respond better to someone else or another dog or something but then again maybe not.

Re: Study: Most Dog Breeds Highly Inbred

#83

Post by bserge »

sktrdie wrote: post #33

What I find interesting is that dogs are way better adapt at living a “city life” or an “apartment life” than we ever will be (unless we start breeding for those traits ourselves). People think “ah dogs are animals and should live in nature and not in closed doors of a city apartment”. Nope, from a genetic point of view some dogs are way more naturally fit to live indoors (look at Maltese for instance who’s bread to…

It's the complete opposite as far as I know, genetic diversity makes animals more resistant to diseases.

Humans haven't stopped evolving, what the fuck. We're healthier, smarter, stronger than ever thanks in part to easy access to a massive genetic pool.

Re: Study: Most Dog Breeds Highly Inbred

#84

Post by matwood »

bArray wrote: post #25

This is well known. Sometimes people breed the grandfather with the bitch or even the father. I think 'Pedigree certificates' has a lot to answer for in this regard. It doesn't encourage any kind of genetic diversity and people are actively discouraged and punished for trying to introduce new blood into lines. Another group to blame are 'puppy farms', people who breed merely to make money and take no responsibility f…

Agree with everything you just said. My wife and I (mainly her) rescue French Bulldogs. They are popular so a lot of people get them without realizing all the health issues, then give them up once they realize the money and work involved. 2/3 of our current rescues have had the IVDD (spinal) surgery and are doing fine. One has also had palette surgery in an attempt to open her airway a bit more. None of them should be walked if it's > 75F.

We had another die from a ruptured spine and another die in my arms from a massive heart attack at 2 years old b/c of a genetic heart defect.

Obviously the rescues spay/neuter any dog that comes in. I wish I knew of a better solution, but we do what we can to help these animals since we have the means.

Re: Study: Most Dog Breeds Highly Inbred

#85

Post by pimlottc »

bArray wrote: post #25

This is well known. Sometimes people breed the grandfather with the bitch or even the father. I think 'Pedigree certificates' has a lot to answer for in this regard. It doesn't encourage any kind of genetic diversity and people are actively discouraged and punished for trying to introduce new blood into lines. Another group to blame are 'puppy farms', people who breed merely to make money and take no responsibility f…

> Generally you want your dog to be smart enough to read your queues and work around you

I think you mean "cues" here.

For reading queues, a rabbit is more popular.

Re: Study: Most Dog Breeds Highly Inbred

#86

Post by etempleton »

retrac wrote: post #56
thih9 wrote: post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> not so smart that it's getting bored or trying to figure out how to escape. This could be understood as if the most intelligent dogs were always bored or trying to escape. To clarify: intelligent dogs do need more stimulation, this is very true. But as long as they get it, they're happy.

It's my experience that a dog's tendency to wander or want to escape has only a little to do with its intelligence. (Their ability to effect an escape is a different matter.) I think it's partly just a personality trait. I've met stupid, misanthropic chihuahuas that won't wander and intelligent, deeply loyal huskies that chase after everything they can see.

We tend to measure a dog's intelligence by obedience and trainability, but dogs like huskies and beagles do not follow that rule. There is a reason there are always beagles readily available for adoption.

My beagle growing up extremely smart--he knew every trick you can think of; he could remember specific objects by name; track someone's scent in an instant if you said find XXX; and seemed at times to understand whole sentences. Unfortunately, he also was stubborn, independent, and had an insatiable drive to follow scents.

Re: Study: Most Dog Breeds Highly Inbred

#87

Post by denton-scratch »

a-saleh wrote: post #52
thih9 wrote: post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> not so smart that it's getting bored or trying to figure out how to escape. This could be understood as if the most intelligent dogs were always bored or trying to escape. To clarify: intelligent dogs do need more stimulation, this is very true. But as long as they get it, they're happy.

I discussed this with my partner that takes her hobby of dog-training very seriously (like, we live with three dogs, and she sometimes does payed woroshops, e.t.c) that Border Colies are often considered to be the most intelligent dogs, but that might be mostly a side-product of breeding them to be eager to please. In theory many other breeds could be more intelligent, but border collie is the one most likely to be e…

The Border Collie is indeed intelligent. It is overwhelmingly the sheepdog preferred by Welsh shepherds. It is also loyal, good-natured, and pretty safe around children. This breed doesn't suffer health problems due to inbreeding, because it isn't a (UK) Kennel Club breed; there's no such thing as a "pedigree" Border Collie in the UK.

Re: Study: Most Dog Breeds Highly Inbred

#88

Post by smt88 »

moralestapia wrote: post #15

Is there a pair of dog breeds who is so different from each other such that no offspring is possible between them?

I don't know if this counts, but a lot of bulldog-like dogs can't give live birth because they're so deformed and unnatural. They can only give birth by C-section.

Re: Study: Most Dog Breeds Highly Inbred

#89

Post by clusterhacks »

dfsegoat wrote: post #49
sktrdie wrote: post #33

What I find interesting is that dogs are way better adapt at living a “city life” or an “apartment life” than we ever will be (unless we start breeding for those traits ourselves). People think “ah dogs are animals and should live in nature and not in closed doors of a city apartment”. Nope, from a genetic point of view some dogs are way more naturally fit to live indoors (look at Maltese for instance who’s bread to…

> What I find interesting is that dogs are way better adapt at living a “city life” or an “apartment life” This is certainly not the case with some of the herding / working dog breeds (GSD, Malinois etc) - it is borderline cruel keeping them in an apartment in some cases, and dangerous in others. I lived with a presa canario for a year in an apartment (roommates dog) - it was not a good situation for the dog or anyon…

I had a Malinois for 15.5 years. She was a wonderful dog in most respects but frankly required a significant amount of management despite years of training and socialization on top of a large fenced yard and ample daily exercise.

I would heavily caution people to deeply consider what owning high-drive and super-reactive dogs actually means in day-to-day life. Dogs with these temperaments do have wonderful (and fun) qualities but simply require specialized environments and handling.

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