Pedigree dogs: didn't we already know they were messed up?

I accept that this may be in the wrong forum; perhaps Science, etc. would have been better.

Anyway, I note from the picture of the day that we're being told that pedigree dogs are prone to genetic hiccups due to generations of in-breeding. What I'm wondering is why this is news. (Aside: should be a question mark at the end of that last sentence?) Haven't we known this for years: that boxers (the dogs) are prone to arthritis, and that labradors are prone to Alzeihmers? (details of which breeds suffer from which diseases may be garbled)

After all, isn't that why the Hapsburgs were so messed up? By the end of the dynasty, they all had severe breathing difficulties, due to strangely formed chins and noses.

Well it was news to me. It's a response to the program aired on BBC last night which I found quite shocking. Effectively dogs are being bred to win shows, where it would appear that the more genetically deformed they are, the more likely they are to win the show. Last years crufts winner, a Pekingese, was effectively unable to walk, breath, or control it's body temperature.

Cavaliers have a brain condition that causes a painful death in 5 years. But breeders are still breeding wiith them.

Attempts to get the Kennel Club to introduce some basic health checks for breeding dogs have been shunned.

The whole thing struck me as a severe case of cruelty to animals.

EvotingMachine0197 wrote:

Well it was news to me. It's a response to the program aired on BBC last night which I found quite shocking. Effectively dogs are being bred to win shows, where it would appear that the more genetically deformed they are, the more likely they are to win the show. Last years crufts winner, a Pekingese, was effectively unable to walk, breath, or control it's body temperature.

Cavaliers have a brain condition that causes a painful death in 5 years. But breeders are still breeding wiith them.

Attempts to get the Kennel Club to introduce some basic health checks for breeding dogs have been shunned.

The whole thing struck me as a severe case of cruelty to animals.

It is awful, and I don't think I knew the full extent of it, but I remember hearing about this when I was in primary school, when a friend's dog had to be put down because of its arthritis. The vet told them it was common among members of that breed. (I think it was boxers, but I could be wrong.)

I thought it was common knowledge that pedigree dogs had genetic disorders. I have heard that they also have behavioural difficulties. The best dogs are cross breeds.

The best dogs are well trained dogs. I know a family whose dog I would like to shoot it is so badly trained. It makes visiting their home a real chore.

TheBear wrote:

I accept that this may be in the wrong forum; perhaps Science, etc. would have been better.

Anyway, I note from the picture of the day that we're being told that pedigree dogs are prone to genetic hiccups due to generations of in-breeding. What I'm wondering is why this is news. (Aside: should be a question mark at the end of that last sentence?) Haven't we known this for years: that boxers (the dogs) are prone to arthritis, and that labradors are prone to Alzeihmers? (details of which breeds suffer from which diseases may be garbled)

After all, isn't that why the Hapsburgs were so messed up? By the end of the dynasty, they all had severe breathing difficulties, due to strangely formed chins and noses.

Yes, I remember reading about this as a child and being horrified. I believed that the Kennel Club had adjusted its standards to some extent since then so I'm surprised that a very unhealthy dog could be awarded a prize.

This is one of the reasons why we always have always had mongrels - the vets bills are virtually non existent in comparison with pedigrees non stop trips with ear and eye and back problems.

On the whole I think Irish dogs are better bred than English. There are fewer "toy" breeds owned here. Far more dogs here are outdoor working dogs and not owned for their looks but for their health, stamina and intelligence.

The Eye of the Newt tells us that, due to the dangerous inbreeding in canine circles, the BBC is reconsidering its coverage of Crufts. He further asks if this means they will also be looking at their screening of the 'twelfth'. What other scheduling should be revisited if dangerous inbreeding is now unacceptable?

lukedelmege wrote:

The Eye of the Newt tells us that, due to the dangerous inbreeding in canine circles, the BBC is reconsidering its coverage of Crufts. He further asks if this means they will also be looking at their screening of the 'twelfth'. What other scheduling should be revisited if dangerous inbreeding is now unacceptable?

I suppose anything at all to do with the British royal family ?

cactus flower wrote:

lukedelmege wrote:

The Eye of the Newt tells us that, due to the dangerous inbreeding in canine circles, the BBC is reconsidering its coverage of Crufts. He further asks if this means they will also be looking at their screening of the 'twelfth'. What other scheduling should be revisited if dangerous inbreeding is now unacceptable?

I suppose anything at all to do with the British royal family ?

http://www.breakingnews.ie/business/mhidmheykfgb/

Well! Pedigree have withdrawn sponsorship of Crufts because of the Kennel Club standards that encourage in-breeding.

Just bought a toy poodle puppy last week. Absolutely one of the most beautiful dogs I have ever seen, and he has taken over the family.

clareman51 wrote:

Just bought a toy poodle puppy last week. Absolutely one of the most beautiful dogs I have ever seen, and he has taken over the family.

Jealous I am. My dog died over 6 months ago and I'm just about ready for a new one. It'll be off to the pound for a look before too long. Poodles were gun-dogs originally weren't they?

Poodles are probably the smartest member of the dog family, but while law agencies know they would be the best canines to assist them, the look of them is not macho enough.
My brother-in-law has a King Charles, and he says it is so dumb, that when you look into it's eyes, you can see out it's ears.

clareman51 wrote:

Poodles are probably the smartest member of the dog family, but while law agencies know they would be the best canines to assist them, the look of them is not macho enough.
My brother-in-law has a King Charles, and he says it is so dumb, that when you look into it's eyes, you can see out it's ears.

What about the sheepdog or border collie - isn't that a fairly bright one too ?

I didn't realise poodles might be gun dogs although they do look like terriers with a white perm. Will you put your fella in the shows ?

Definitely no. He is a house pet, and will probably get him neutered as well (It avoids certain cancers, etc). He will just be a member of the family.