Pedigree Dogs Exposed.

[bendigo]

Originally Posted by LisaLQ

Yes - essentially, if you continually outcross, your whole line could carry something like (for example) higher risk of tumours. If you line breed you bring those to the fore so that you can remove them from your gene pool (and no, that doesn't mean bumping anything off - just not breeding from them). If you dont line breed then you never know what your animals might be prone to - could eventually breed to another animal carrying the same genetic problem, and then realise you have to start all over again because ALL of your other animals will carry the same thing.

I would not get breeding rats from someone who didnt responsibly breed, and that includes line breeding. If someone continually outcrossed, they could not guarantee the health of their lines because their animals could be carrying several recessive genes that would only show up when it was too late, and the whole of your breeding stock could be unusable.

exactly, the problem isnt line breeding at all though i do think this should be regulated, its the lack of health testing done on the breeding animals. as well as removing undesirable traits (often looks) it can also cement in genetic faults which can have devistating effects on the dogs.

the problem i really have with the KC is the standards which are set for each breed, these often encorage body shapes which cause the animal health issues

[LisaLQ]

Absolutely - I feel the KC has been unfairly bashed though somewhat - as despite their obvious problems on the breed standards side of things, they do expect breeders to breed responsibly in order to get KC registering...and all the crap backyard breeders now can say "not KC so healthy pups!" when in fact their dogs are likely to be overbred, unhealth-tested and not even anywhere near breeding quality.

The breed problems are a problem for all dogs - not just those registered with the KC. And a lot of irresponsible breeders will now be raking in the pennies because people wont want to get a registered dog.

That show has an awful lot to answer for - but what do you expect when one of the people helping make the show thinks all greyhounds are evil and should be killed.

[bendigo]

Originally Posted by LisaLQ

Absolutely - I feel the KC has been unfairly bashed though somewhat - as despite their obvious problems on the breed standards side of things, they do expect breeders to breed responsibly in order to get KC registering...and all the crap backyard breeders now can say "not KC so healthy pups!" when in fact their dogs are likely to be overbred, unhealth-tested and not even anywhere near breeding quality.

The breed problems are a problem for all dogs - not just those registered with the KC. And a lot of irresponsible breeders will now be raking in the pennies because people wont want to get a registered dog.

That show has an awful lot to answer for - but what do you expect when one of the people helping make the show thinks all greyhounds are evil and should be killed.

really? WHY!!?

[LisaLQ]

It was Emma Milne - she's an ignorant nasty piece of work. Shouldn't have become a vet IMO.

Sighthound Welfare Trust - Online forums -> Emma Milne article (Dogs Today) bad for greyhound welfare

Emma Milne in Dogs Today - The Greyhound Sanctuary

She later apologised IIRC, but you have to be really wrong in the head to say something that cruel.

[FallenAngel]

I watched this the other day at uni and I feel that it was incredibly bias against the kennel club but some of the people that they talked to really need their heads looking at!

Its all about breeding "perfection" in body but not in health. How is it normal for a dog that cant even give birth without being cut open. or breeding a dog thats brain doesnt fit in its skull! How is it normal!

I understand that there are some very good breeders out there that know what is best for their dogs health wise and work to get the best health for the breed but there are others who stick strictly to kennel club standards whatever the results.

[sophs87]

Originally Posted by LisaLQ

Yeah it saddens me too that looks are worth more than health to many - just because I think the programme was really bad fact wise, I dont disagree that there is a huge problem with breed standards and those breeding for looks.

It's just as rife out of the KC as within it though - at least with the KC they can (somewhat) regulate how often a bitch is bred from etc. Just their standards suck, most of the dogs bred today couldn't do the job they were originally made to do - it's very very sad.

I agree there. The show also shows pictures of how pugs used to look, it makes you want to cry that the dogs have been changed so much just to look pretty, i would hate it if my dog was a beautifull show winner but fitted x amount of times a day.

[Nebbz]

I found the whole thing interesting, obviously its very bias but i have to admit seeing those dogs in such pain, and the bull dog with epelepsy (sp) made me extremely upset to watch this, i personally couldnt see my dog go through that poor things, i dont know much on breeding dogs, how ever been looking in to it, but more and more things are putting me off breeding my dog in the future.