The modern concept of purebred dogs, with their predictable traits and appearances, has come under increasing scrutiny due to the health and welfare issues associated with inbreeding and extreme conformation traits. Dog breeding has long been a topic of both fascination and controversy. As society evolves, so too must our approach to dog breeding. This month I want to share some of the key points from the paper “A new future for dog breeding” and discuss the implications for breeders, kennel clubs, and dog lovers alike.
The Rise and Fall of Purebred Dogs
The domestication of dogs began between 40,000 and 15,000 years ago, with early humans selectively breeding wolves for traits such as tameness and sociability. Over time, this led to the development of various dog breeds, each with specific functions and appearances. The modern notion of purebred dogs, however, is a relatively recent invention, dating back to the Victorian era in Britain. During this time, dog shows and breed registries became popular, and the concept of a “pure” bloodline was established.
While purebred dogs offer predictability in terms of size, behaviour, and grooming needs, they can also suffer from a high burden of inherited disorders due to limited founder populations and inbreeding. Extreme conformation traits, such as short muzzles and excessive skin folds, further exacerbate these health issues. As a result, the concept of purebred dogs has faced increasing criticism from academics, the public, and the media.
Emerging Trends in Dog Breeding
In response to these concerns, several new trends have emerged in dog breeding:
1. Decline of Traditional Kennel Clubs: The influence of traditional kennel clubs has diminished, with more dogs being sold without pedigrees or registration documents. This shift has also led to the growing popularity of designer breeds and mixed-breed dogs, which are often perceived (and promoted) as healthier alternatives to purebred dogs.
2. Stricter Legal Restrictions: Many countries have implemented stricter legal restrictions on dog breeding to address health and welfare concerns. These regulations aim to ensure that breeders prioritise the health and well-being of their dogs over aesthetic traits. In some cases, the legislation is likely to have unintended consequences and these won’t be beneficial for the dogs.
3. Designer Breeds and Mixed-Breed Dogs: The popularity of designer breeds, such as Labradoodles and Cockapoos, has surged in recent years. These deliberate crosses of established breeds are often marketed as healthier alternatives to purebred dogs. Similarly, mixed-breed dogs are gaining popularity due to their perceived health benefits.
Health and Welfare Concerns
Despite the growing popularity of designer breeds and mixed-breed dogs, these dogs are not without their own health and behavioural problems. For example, designer breeds can inherit health issues from both parent breeds, while mixed-breed dogs may still suffer from genetic disorders. I have also previously written about some of the findings from VetCompass research which shows that the most common health conditions seen by vets are actually more related to husbandry issues than to a breed predisposition. However, it is essential to recognise that the predictability of purebred dogs can offer benefits for human-dog relationships, as owners can better anticipate their dogs’ needs and behaviours.
Future Directions for Dog Breeding
The paper suggests several key directions for the future of dog breeding. There are significant implications for both breeders and for kennel clubs:
1. Reopening Breed Registries: To increase genetic diversity and improve overall breed health, breed registries should be reopened to allow the inclusion of non-pedigree dogs that meet health and phenotypic criteria.
2. Revising Breed Standards: Breed standards should be revised to remove wording that promotes extreme conformation traits. This is intended to encourage breeders to select for healthier and more functional dogs.
3. Health-Focused Selection: Breeders should prioritise health-based breeding practices, selecting against disease-predisposing genotypes and phenotypes. This would need to involve kennel clubs promoting health-focused breeding practices and providing guidelines for breeders to follow.
4. Promoting Appropriate Canine Behaviour: Dog showing and breeding should focus on promoting appropriate behaviour and temperament in dogs, not just appearances. This can help ensure that dogs are well-suited for their roles in society, most of which are destined to be family pets.
5. Collaboration and Education: Breeders, vets, and researchers should collaborate to implement health-focused breeding practices. Education and training for breeders are essential to stay updated on best practices and advancements in genetic testing and health screening. For the majority of breeders who may only ever breed one litter, there is probably a big education gap to be filled. How to find and reach those people before they decide to breed is clearly a major challenge.
6. Public Awareness: Increasing public awareness of the health and welfare issues associated with dog breeding can help shift demand towards healthier breeds and mixed-breed dogs.
Conclusion
The future of dog breeding lies in striking a balance between the predictability of purebred dogs and the health benefits of mixed-breed dogs. The paper implies that we can find middle ground. If we can’t, I fear we will be subject to yet more badly thought-through legislation, simply because there is pressure on politicians to “do something”. Not only that but we will still have to deal with the issues of breed and conformation-related health issues, declining genetic diversity, and increasing public backlash against pedigree dogs and dog shows. Collaboration between breeders, kennel clubs, vets, and researchers is essential to achieve these goals. Ultimately, the well-being of our canine companions should be at the heart of all breeding practices.
You can read the full article here: (https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/animal-welfare/article/new-future-for-dog-breeding/494149CEA8BFAAE8D2E1E29889C5D6A8).
