Pedigree Dog Inbreeding: Breeds That Have Been Devastated

Pug Breed Commonly Affected By Pedigree Dog Inbreeding

Dogs and humans go back a long way. Thousands of years of mutual kinship has cemented our loving relationship with our canine friends. It is no accident that a dog is said to be ‘Man’s best friend.’ As a consequence of our close ties with dogs, we owe a duty of care to protect and look after these animals. These duty has been breached in the case of pedigree dog inbreeding.

Sadly, a lot of pedigree dog breeding has caused serious complications for dogs. Several breeds have been devastated by inbreeding and if current attitudes and habits persist many breeds will become infertile and die out such is the seriousness of the problem.

Rhodesian Ridgebacks

A recent BBC programme, Pedigree Dogs Exposed, highlighted the plight of many Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs. It is now known that the ‘ridge’ is a mild form of spina bifida. The ridge can cause serious complications for the breed.

About ten per cent of Rhodesian Ridgebacks suffer from dermoid sinus which are holes that can burrow the whole way into either the dog’s spinal cord or brain.

Pugs: Genetically Deformed

Pug dogs are one of the most inbred of all dog breeds. The pedigree is so inbred, genetically-speaking, it is more endangered than the Panda Bear.

Knee disorders, stomach problems, larynx collapses, elongated soft pallets and breathing problems brought about because of its squashed face are just some of the issues that affects pugs.

Other problems pugs are also challenged with include a curvature of the spine and a propensity to suffer from eye injuries largely caused by a lack of facial structure which would normally protect the dog. The spinal problems are caused by dog breeder’s desire to have a curled tail called a ‘screw tail’.

Pedigree Dog Inbreeding: The Devastating Bulldog Changes

Modern English Bulldogs are a far cry from their bull-baiting predecessors. A popular myth that surrounds the dogs facial appearance is that the folds of skin are said to channel away the bull’s blood from the dog’s eyes. The facial structure is also said to allow the dog to breathe while it is holding on to the bull.

Both of these stories can be proved to be false when one draws a comparison to the original dog. The much longer jawline and the absence of facial skin folds shows these notions to be fabrications.

If modern bulldogs were used for bull-baiting now, they would in all probability be killed by the bull as they lack the necessary agility.
The bulldog has become so distorted that assistance is often required for mating and birth. According to the Journal of Small Animal Practice 80 per cent of these dogs have to have a Caesarian section performed due to their large heads getting stuck in the birth canal.

Most airline companies will not fly bulldog, pekingese and pug breeds simply because they are prone to respiratory disease and dying on transit. One/fifth of these dogs die due to heart attacks.

Breeds Affected By Pedigree Inbreeding

• Dachshunds originally had much longer legs. Now its stomach scraps along the ground. They are beset by joint and spinal problems.
• Labradors experience joint and eye disorders.
• Springer spaniels suffer from an enzyme deficiency found solely in that particular breed.
• Golden Retrievers develop an abnormally high level of cancer.
• The West Island Terrier are affected by a large number of allergies.
• Basset hounds endure arthritis which plagues the breed when they reach old age.
• Boxers suffer from heart disease, and a high rate of both cancer and epilepsy.

Perhaps the most visually acute case is that of the German Shepherd show-dogs which have difficulty walking. As a consequence, this type of extreme dog breeding has been widely criticised.

Recommended Reading From Amazon

Check out Yellow Magpie’s The Dog: Man’s Most Useful Best Friend for a more general discussion on what makes dogs so special.

For those who are interested in discovering more about the myriad of problems that surround pedigree dog breeding, the BBC Pedigree Dogs Exposed is an excellent place to start. It is freely available on Youtube.

For people who care about their dog’s health, Victoria Stilwell’s book, It is Me Or Your Dog: How To Have The Perfect Pet is the ultimate bible on the subject.

Amazon.co.uk
For people living in Ireland or the United Kingdom you can access It Is Me Or Your Dog: How To Have The Perfect Pet here.

Amazon.ca
For those living in Canada you can obtain It Is Me Or Your Dog: How To Have The Perfect Pet from here.

Amazon.de
For Germany: It Is Me Or Your Dog: How To Have The Perfect Pet.

Amazon.fr
For France: It Is Me Or Your Dog: How To Have The Perfect Pet.