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Study: Most Dog Breeds Highly Inbred

ucdavis.edu

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Re: Study: Most Dog Breeds Highly Inbred

#111

Post by kcb »

hairofadog wrote: post #102
bluedevil2k wrote: post #96

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What a negative and downright wrong thing to say. Dog owners are happier and healthier than non-dog owners. https://time.com/collection/guide-to-happiness/4870796/dog-o...

I'm not the person you're replying to, but: I love dogs, I have a dog, and I think dog breeding is a net evil. I wish it would stop. Edit: While it's admittedly over-the-top snarky, this video sums up my feelings nicely: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCv10_WvGxo

Personally I just worry that the result would be all dogs being pitbull mixes.

Re: Study: Most Dog Breeds Highly Inbred

#112

Post by TulliusCicero »

jqpabc123 wrote: post #45

A lot of dog "breeds" are basically just genetic deformities being perpetuated through in-breeding. For example, some French bulldogs have a face that is so deformed it can barely eat or breathe. Some people think such deformed animals look "cute" but various Kennel Clubs are starting to penalize them in dog shows.

It’s pretty gross. It’s animal abuse at that point, breeding in a way that you know causes the animal great suffering.

Re: Study: Most Dog Breeds Highly Inbred

#113

Post by slothtrop »

bluedevil2k wrote: post #96
f6v wrote: post #72

Dog breeding is mostly a net-negative for the society. Kind of like jewelry and luxury cars.

What a negative and downright wrong thing to say. Dog owners are happier and healthier than non-dog owners. https://time.com/collection/guide-to-happiness/4870796/dog-o...

What does that have to do with dog breeding? Add to the fact, there's more than one way to be healthier and happier.

Re: Study: Most Dog Breeds Highly Inbred

#114

Post by TulliusCicero »

nyanpasu64 wrote: post #3

Why not cross different dog breeds to increase total diversity instead of trying to protect what's left?

That happens too, there are quite a few ‘designer’ cross breeds, like labradoodle or cavapoo.

Article: https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/pets/g3414/cutest-mixe...

Re: Study: Most Dog Breeds Highly Inbred

#115

Post by clusterhacks »

AlbertCory wrote: post #103

I find these answers (mostly) refreshingly free of the Dog Rescue Nazis, who seem to troll anyone who mentions dogs in any context. Many of them operate "breed rescue groups." These groups are usually 501(c)(3) organizations and pay their chief officers a salary, which you can check on their IRS form 990. * * These groups come to the public animal shelters at opening time and claim any dog of their preferred breed, b…

Interesting rant - I have been glancing at shelters in my area over the last year and have been confused that it is almost entirely pit bulls and pit mixes. I thought maybe those types of dogs were just all people were into these days. I never see puppies available . . .

I'm leaning towards doing exactly what you did for a new pup - finding a caring family with a very small breeding program that focuses on socialization and a little selectivity in who they will provide pups.

Re: Study: Most Dog Breeds Highly Inbred

#116

Post by monkmartinez »

Jagerbizzle wrote: post #107
etempleton wrote: post #86

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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 who…

Our goldendoodle sounds very similar to this. She's great at "go see XYZ" or "go get ABC", knows all the party tricks, and will play fetch endlessly without ever wandering off no matter how far I throw the ball. If she ever happens to see a squirrel or a chipmunk however she'll try to rip the leash off of your arm; if she's ever off-leash and sees a critter like this you can throw the hours of trained recall out the…

Same experience.

Our goldendoodle is fantastic. Our neighbors can't believe she just chills with us in the front yard without a leash. They can't let their dogo out of the house without a fence or leash. She only barks once in a blue moon and everyone in the house is on immediate high alert when she does. Generally, its salesperson walking up the front driveway. She doesn't bark at UPS/Fedex any longer... which is good this time of year.

I run her every other day a few miles and she is right with me, generally off leash. When she sees a lizard tho, its game over. I have to stop and physically pull her off the bush she is buried in to get the lizard. She is very food motivated and the word "treat" is spelled out in our house because she will not leave you alone until she gets something if she hears that word.

My only complaint is grooming. To do it properly, I've been told requires brushing her everyday. Not happening. I have tried to do it 3 times a week... it takes like two hours and is completely exhausting. We just get her shaved every two months or so.

Re: Study: Most Dog Breeds Highly Inbred

#117

Post by nradov »

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.

Yes those seem to be mostly independent traits. Portuguese Water Dogs are generally rated above average for intelligence but they have a natural instinct to stay close to their owners and don't tend to run away.

Re: Study: Most Dog Breeds Highly Inbred

#118

Post by ed_balls »

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…

> it is borderline cruel keeping them in an apartment in some cases

I don't think this is true. You can have a husky in a flat, but have to go for a run every morning.

I have a German Shepard. She goes for 3 walks a day and a lot of weekend trips. The flat is just a kennel.

Re: Study: Most Dog Breeds Highly Inbred

#119

Post by AlbertCory »

LeifCarrotson wrote: post #108
AlbertCory wrote: post #103

I find these answers (mostly) refreshingly free of the Dog Rescue Nazis, who seem to troll anyone who mentions dogs in any context. Many of them operate "breed rescue groups." These groups are usually 501(c)(3) organizations and pay their chief officers a salary, which you can check on their IRS form 990. * * These groups come to the public animal shelters at opening time and claim any dog of their preferred breed, b…

> The end result when I was looking for a dog was that the shelters have nothing but pit bulls and Chihuahuas, and the dogs that the public prefers are all marked "reserved" or just gone. This is so frustrating! I'm currently looking for a dog, and the shelters near me have a few special needs dogs, a few "lab mixes" or "shepherd mixes" that are obviously Staffordshire terriers that happened to get lucky by having lo…

Thanks, I expected a flood of condemnations!

The term "backyard breeder" is just one step up in snobbery from "trailer trash."

I got my two cats from families that could be called backyard breeders. To me, that meant that children played with the kittens, which is especially crucial to cats.

So if you want a golden (fantastic dogs, btw!), there are lots of breeders. You might have to drive for a few hours to find one. I drove two hours for my Lab breeder.

Re: Study: Most Dog Breeds Highly Inbred

#120

Post by smorgusofborg »

LeifCarrotson wrote: post #108
AlbertCory wrote: post #103

I find these answers (mostly) refreshingly free of the Dog Rescue Nazis, who seem to troll anyone who mentions dogs in any context. Many of them operate "breed rescue groups." These groups are usually 501(c)(3) organizations and pay their chief officers a salary, which you can check on their IRS form 990. * * These groups come to the public animal shelters at opening time and claim any dog of their preferred breed, b…

> The end result when I was looking for a dog was that the shelters have nothing but pit bulls and Chihuahuas, and the dogs that the public prefers are all marked "reserved" or just gone. This is so frustrating! I'm currently looking for a dog, and the shelters near me have a few special needs dogs, a few "lab mixes" or "shepherd mixes" that are obviously Staffordshire terriers that happened to get lucky by having lo…

I find it a bit ironic that you and the OP seem to be saying these rescue groups work for their actual goal and the goal of the shelter.
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