Pedigree Dogs: Precious Pets or Monstrous Mutants?

[matty.the.damned]

An interesting piece from the BBC.

Pedigree dogs are suffering from genetic diseases following years of inbreeding, an investigation has found.

A BBC documentary says they are suffering acute problems because looks are emphasised over health when breeding dogs for shows.

The programme shows spaniels with brains too big for their skulls and boxers suffering from epilepsy.

The Kennel Club says it works tirelessly to improve the health of pedigree dogs.

Pedigree animals make up 75% of the seven million dogs in the UK and cost their owners over £10m in vets' fees each week.

(linkage)

There are two videos embedded in the linked article. One of approximately 2 minutes and another approaching 6 minutes. Both are worth watching.

I must say I side the with RSPCA here. I find the world of pedigree dog (or cat) breeding most distasteful. All those poor creatures bred into mutanthood for our entertainment. Give me a pound mongrel simply reeking of hybrid vigour any day.

But I'm not a vet nor a breeder of these creatures. Merely an opinionated reader of media. What do others think? Any and all insights would be most welcome.

MtD

 

[leon_heller]

I saw that programme as well. I simply can't understand the attitude of the Kennel Club and the breeders.

Most pedigree cats are OK. Burmese cats like mine, for instance, don't have any health problems and typically live to 18 years. They are very extrovert cats and all have the nice characteristic that they like people, even complete strangers.

Leon

 

[Ethan Thane Athen]

Most pedigree cats are OK. Burmese cats like mine, for instance, don't have any health problems and typically live to 18 years. They all have the nice characteristic that they like people, even complete strangers.

Leon

Indeed pedigree cats have a lot fewer problems than pedigree dogs (although Persions are a bit of an abomination in my view - cats should not be clumsy / incapable of going outside and killing things / incapable of keeping themselves clean) but then cats are the superior species ;o).

Not sure about 'liking people' being a proper cat characteristic though...at most they should reluctantly allow you to live in their house ;o).

 

[PingOfPong]

The answer is monstrous mutants.

I've never seen a pedigreed dog that I liked. Mutts simply make the best pets of all. They're more vibrant.

 

[Hokulele]

I agree in general, but would make a distinction between a purebred dog and a pedigreed (show) dog. My husband is allergic to almost all dogs with the exception of those breeds that have hair rather than fur, such as poodles. Yes, we do own a poodle, but it is purebred, not pedigreed (we couldn't care less if it gets shown). Poodle-crosses are no guarantee of coat, so sadly, mutts are not an option for us.

Interestingly enough, there has been some interest from a local Service Dog agency in getting our dog (female) on their potential breeders list. She doesn't have the issues that most pedigreed dogs have, yet she is purebred, and people who need a service dog but are allergic to most breeds can deal with her. I would argue there is a big difference between purebred and overbred.

Working breeds, such as sheepdogs, also come to mind.

 

[Darat]

I have had mutts and pedigree dogs and shown my pedigree dogs.

The problem is 100% with and caused by the show breeders (as a generalisation so of course not all are like this but from my personal experience the vast majority of them are), they care only to win, the dogs' welfare is not a consideration for them.

The KC could put a stop to it almost overnight - if they said that no dog could be a champion unless it was tested for and found to be free of X, Y, Z the show breeders would have no option but to address the problems found in many pedigree breeds.

I saw the BBC documentary and the argument that if the KC did this it would mean that they'd lose their "influence" is a disingenuous argument, the show breeders want those rosettes, that is why they show their dogs. Remove the chance of them winning a rosette and either they'd stop the perpetuation of many of the inherited problems or stop breeding dogs full stop - either way the problem would be solved.

 

[leon_heller]

Indeed pedigree cats have a lot fewer problems than pedigree dogs (although Persions are a bit of an abomination in my view - cats should not be clumsy / incapable of going outside and killing things / incapable of keeping themselves clean) but then cats are the superior species ;o).

Not sure about 'liking people' being a proper cat characteristic though...at most they should reluctantly allow you to live in their house ;o).

I think that Persians look grotesque, as well.

Burmese are called "dog cats" in Burma, because of their behaviour. Mine fetches like a dog, as most of them do. All the western cats could be considered to be inbred, as they are all descended from one female that was imported into the USA 70 or so years ago that was mated to a Siamese. They do have a reputation for being very healthy, in spite of that.

Leon

 

[alfaniner]

Really?? There were no cats in the US before about 1938? And all the rest are Siamese descendants? I find that difficult to believe.

 

[Cuddles]

It's hardly surprising. Just look at the royal families around Europe. Inbreeding just isn't a great idea, whatever species you are.

 

[Naughtyhippo]

And all these moggies in the UK never made it over, then or since? and they aren't 'western'?

 

[casebro]

I disagree a bit with the "healthier mongrel" myth.

If you were to breed a mongrel from two lines that are rife with a defect, the pup has no better chance of being defect free than either purebred. Some genetic defects are so common in many breeds, I think it is just chance that any crosses at all are free of those diseases. Like hip dysplasia.

I can't see picking a breed based on looks. There are so many other characteristics that are more important.

And one thought that struck me was "how many genes are different between all the breeds of dogs?". There has to be a finite number of variations inherent in the one gene pool. Can you re-breed the basset from a dachshund and a beagle? Sort of re-load the software to get a virus-free reboot?

That all said, I went out of my way to find a medium sized cross breed pup. Half standard poodle, half Australian Cattle Dog. Smart as a whip, and at seven months, doesn't smell like a dog, not even when wet. (I've read that the Dingo doesn't smell either, and Dingo is a major ancestor of the ACD.) So I think I got lucky. But there was no information on temperament of less common crosses. We picked her out of a litter of eight. The almost most-passive one. The personalities were varied, and obvious, at eight weeks. So litters ought to be sorted, even littermates are different. One was long haired, genetic chance. I suspect that breeders can select out the bad ones young, but are not going to cull a litter when pups are soooo valuable. Like my nephew's deaf great dane. The breeder who let it go ought to be put down.

 

[Shalamar]

Hmmm. I can see that., I see a lot of issues with pedigreed, and even purebred dogs.

I do have a purebred dog. She's a greyhound. The greys seem to have fewer issues than other purebreds as they are bred for speed and temperment. Not looks. Ours is a retired racer, and the sweetest animal. No aggression, and her only desire in the world is to meet everyone, sniff them, and get attention. (And sleep on the couch). Most Greyhounds are a lot like this, according to the various greyhound rescue groups, though some aren't very good around small dogs and cats. They are trained to chase a small furry object around a track.

While greyhounds can have some issues specific to the breed, most of the serious defects don't happen as the animals won't get bred. Its one of the reasons why greyhounds have a wider variety of coats, both in colours and patterns.

 

[leon_heller]

Really?? There were no cats in the US before about 1938? And all the rest are Siamese descendants? I find that difficult to believe.

I was referring to Burmese cats, of course.

Leon

 

[roger]

Purebreed dogs are (generally) bred for jobs or specific purposes. A hunting dog might need coarse fur (to protect against briars), a short tail (don't want it getting caught up in the brush), etc. If it hunts by sight it will need very different facial geometry than if it hunts by scent (big ears and jowls help stir up scent along the ground). If it needs to go through water it will need water resistant fur and perhaps webbed toes. A guard dog needs an even temperment but distrust strangers. Some guard dogs are intented to do things like babysit - they must be extremely gentle. A German Shepard is more for police work, and isn't nearly as gentle. A terrier needs to not fear pain, and be tenacious. A husky needs to be nearly impervious to cold, not get snow balled up in its paws, and yearn to pull. Etc.

Of course, some take it to extremes. That English Bulldogs need to be born by C-section is an abomination, not to mention they require regular human maintanance just to clean out the folds in their faces.

A responsible breeder will maintain the integrity of the breed and it's purpose, which always means a sound dog in health and temperment. OTOH, I've seen quite a few show bred dogs that are just twigged up nervousness - that shows well in the ring, and is probably a side effect of inbreeding as well. And we all know of the health problems caused by some of these body designs.

I have one pure bred dog and one probable mutt (mutt is my current avatar). Both are great dogs in different ways. The pure bred one is very high conformance, and she is a joy to behold. Not just aesthetically, but more so her personality and athletic skill. No way a mutt could touch her in the latter two departments. OTOH, she is a working dog with great independence, and it takes everything we've got just to keep up with her and provide for her. A mutt will rarely require that. It all depends on what you want and value. A docile family pet to lay at your feet while you watch tv? I'd go to the pound and get a mutt. Want to skijor in the winter with your best pal? Get a GSP or the like. Weight pull? Get a pit bull. etc.

I'm happy with my pure bred, and with my mutt. And, for what it's worth, the 'mutt' has more health issues than the pure bred.

 

[AgeGap]

BBC documentary was shocking. The dogs were nearly as inbred as their owners.
KC did appear to be run by bufoons.

 

[Tiktaalik]

I really think a lot of it depends on what the purebred dog was originally bred for and how long ago it was developed. My current female Cattle Dog is purebred and pedigreed, but she'd never make it in a show. My previous female cattle dog lived 15 1/2 years and was healthy and active up to a couple months before her death. But cattle dogs (blue/red heeleers) were just developed about 120-140 years ago, and they were bred for independent intelligence, but also endurance, and an ability to work cattle without being vicious. They wouldn't be much use if they had lots of physical issues; those with physical issues were more likely to be weeded out than those who were just "ugly".

Perhaps those dogs who were bred specifically for looks are more prone to genetic disorders (not as much attention to health). None of my cattle dogs have had genetic issues, but I know deafness runs in the breed (through the Dalmation line). Deafness wouldn't necessarily have been culled as the dogs generally work without lots of human direction (unlike border collies, for example).

As far as hybrid vigor, my current male dog is mixed breed (part cattle dog and part...something else) and he is "running down" a lot faster than my female purebred. I have to admit that I don't expect him to live as long, though I hope he surprises me.

 

[roger]

Some show dogs are real working dogs when not being shown- huskies that actually pull sleds during the winter, etc. OTOH, American Staffordshire Terriers (pit bull - not that the AKC would ever recognize that), are pretty much all shown overweight by about 10 lbs to have any chance of winning. This breed is wire thin with ripped bulging muscles when in shape, like my dog.

It just breaks my heart to see what I call the 'fur' dogs - dogs with very unpractical show cuts. Hair over their eyes, touching the ground, etc.

 

[INRM]

Cuddles,

Great point

 

[Hokulele]

It just breaks my heart to see what I call the 'fur' dogs - dogs with very unpractical show cuts. Hair over their eyes, touching the ground, etc.

I have always hated the traditional poodle show cuts, as they require almost constant upkeep, such as keeping the paws and face shaved and the pom-poms trimmed and brushed out. Our dog is kept clipped for comfort and ease of grooming (regular baths and brushing). Most people who see her on the beach or on the trail recognize her as a poodle from conformation and attitude rather than by cut.

 

[PetersCreek]

I've got one of those purebred dogs that'd never make it in a show. He's a "field" Lab as opposed to a "bench" Lab. Show labs as I know them are stocky, short-coupled dogs whereas mine is trimmer and leggier. No health problems and personality-wise, he's all Lab: bright, playful, and energetic.

I do remember years ago that Irish Setters had a reputation for inbreeding problems, which reinforced in my mind by a couple of examples. Stupidity on four legs, they were. Shame, too. I've read the field dogs are gems.