The Trouble with Pedigree Breeds

Pedigree Dog

A pedigree dog is born from two dogs of the same breed and has been registered in a recognized club. Many dog owners have a breed of pedigree dog. Dog breed can either be pedigree, cross or mixed breed.

This breed comes with exaggerated features or transmission of inherited diseases from parents due to deliberate selection.

Additionally, these dogs are faced with health and welfare problems which have an impact on their quality of life.

Due to constant changes and alterations in selective breeding practices, the American Kennel Club and other such organizations have set standards defining what each pedigree breed should look like.

Common Problems in Pedigree Breeds

Some of these problems are not limited to pedigree dogs only, but also, affects crossbreed and purebred.

Nevertheless, alteration of traits is the root of genetic problems that are seen now in the pedigree breed.

Dwarfism due to Short Legs in Corgis

Clearly, these common problems have become more rampant in pedigree dogs due to their unique repeated breeding practices and not minding about the welfare and health of the dog.

Despite, this some pedigree breeds are more prone to inherited problems than others. When a breed is healthy and has superior traits the breeder tend to breed it with so many others spreading inherited disorders as a result of lack of genetic diversity.

Sadly, they are driven with a desire to produce more great breeds in spite of, passing inherited disorders, diseases, genes, and health issues in the process.

The common pedigree breed problems are ear infections, obesity, and skin growths.

• Obesity

Obesity is a nutrition deficiency problem that is common in dogs that have a poor diet, eat excess and do not exercise.

Obese Bulldog

It can be controlled with involving your dog in exercises, playing games, making her runs and walk, give scheduled meals and regulate portions.

Keeping your dog fit will reduce his chances of getting heart diseases, orthopedic diseases, and diabetic diseases.

Avoid giving treats in between meals or during training, you can opt to give vegan bites instead.

Pug, Labrador retriever are some of the breeds affected by overweight.

• Ear Infection.

These are common infections in dogs. When you see your dog scratching, shaking the head he might be coming down with an ear infection.

An ear infection can be caused by mites, bacterial infection or yeast.

Pedigree breeds affected by ear infections are Labrador retriever, cocker spaniel, poodles, Pitbulls, and Shar peis.

Most of these breeds have heavy skin and folds, hairy ears except Labrador retriever which is prone due to its love for the water as it is mostly wet.

• Skin Growths

Underlying genetic predisposition to cancer makes it likely for some breeds of pedigree dogs to be at increased risk of certain types of cancer.

Health Disorders In Pedigree

• Abnormal Body Appearances

The numerous breeding practices has led to producing dogs which bend towards abnormalities, for instance, some have large head, others have flat faces leading to difficulties in breathing and exercising.

Abnormal Bowed Appearance

These abnormalities make the dogs suffer and if severe get heart attacks or inherit heart problems reducing the quality of life.

Especially, the English Bulldog has been noted to have difficulties in breathing, walking, giving birth and is dispositioned to numerous heritable diseases.

Common Breeds Affected:

• Basset hound- with long ears.
• Dachshund-long back.
• Shar-Pei- Excessive skin is prone to infection.
• Corgi-short legs (dwarfism).
• Bulldogs-large head leads to difficulty for puppies to be born naturally.
• Chihuahua-small domed head, likely to suffer from hydrocephalus.

• Joint Problems

Unquestionably, heavy dogs can suffer from joint problems and difficulties in walking. Not only, is the dog not able to walk or exercise but also, the excess weight can lead to obesity.

Limbs can be positioned abnormally, for example, bowed leading to difficulties in movement and joint degeneration.

Furthermore, pedigree breed likely to suffer from joint and hip problems is; German shepherd, great dune, Chihuahuas.

• Difficulties in breathing-Brachycephalic breed

Brachycephalic refers to breeds with a short skull, short nose and flat face of dogs. Additionally, this defect can lead to difficulties in breathing, snorting, snoring and if not treated can lead to major issues later as the airways are partially blocked.

Flat-Faced Dogs

Nonetheless, you can seek assistance from your vet for a possible solution, as this condition can be corrected with surgery to avoid serious health issues. Remember not all dogs may need surgery only severe cases.

Pugs, Shih Tzus, and Chihuahuas, Chow Chows, Pekingese, Lhasa Apso, Bull Mastiffs, and English Toy Spaniels are the most likely pedigree to be affected.

Besides, these breeds can also suffer from vision disorders as their eyes stick out of the skull making them prone to injury.

Why Pedigree Breed?

Subsequently, people have been breeding dogs for certain traits; to make them better in appearance and as a great companion. In addition to this, due to various beneficial reason, one would go for a pedigree because of the following reasons:

• Get what you want

Not only, are you able to get a dog that suits your lifestyle but also, your desire.

Different dog breeds have different traits, characteristics hence with a pedigree breed you know almost the dog traits, character, strength, and weakness. Obviously, this will make you know beforehand if you will get along well.

Moreover, you will need to decide what is important to you, and exactly what you want from your pet. Particularly, If you have an active family you can choose an active breed that will fit in your busy outdoor activities, for instance, hiking, hunting.

• Sure Assistance from Breeder

Importantly, you can seek assistance from your breeder for any issues associated with the pedigree from health, training, vet needs.

With a pedigree breed, you can quickly verify the dogs’ information.

The dog comes with a certificate which commonly shows the dog’s official name, show titles, and registration number. Additionally, the document will also list similar information for the dog’s ancestors and also can include DNA and health identification.

• Superior Traits

If you are looking for a breed with all the good traits, looks, and temperament of a particular breed, then a pedigree will be a great choice. Currently, the Kennel Club records and openly publish the results of DNA tests for over 70 different inherited diseases, representing approximately 10,000 DNA tested dogs each year.

Clearly, this determines whether the offspring carries the specific mutation associated with a particular disease and enables a breeder to know a dog’s “hereditary status”.

Common pedigree breeds

Pedigree Breed

• Pug
• English bulldog
• Riecks
• Boston Terrier
• Newfoundland
• Poddle
• German Shepherd
• Labrador retriever
• French bulldog
• Boxer

Solutions

1. Screening Schemes Incorporation

Breeding strategies incorporating screening schemes have been shown to be successful in significantly reducing the prevalence of an inherited disorder and improving the overall health in certain breeds.

     2. Moral Obligation from the Breeders

Indeed, breeders have a moral obligation to ensure that selective breeding does not make the dog suffer but is improving the welfare and health of the dog all round.

Final Thoughts

Many breeds have high rates of heritable diseases and physical disorders leading to deformities, disability, suffering, and pain.

The welfare of pedigree breed has not been protected over the years from the breeders or the kennel clubs as the breeding practices and efforts are ineffective in safeguarding the dogs.

The future of pedigree dogs now depends on the changes in breeding and selection practices fast by all the parties involved. Following this, the health and welfare of the pedigree dog in the future can be successful.

Importantly, pedigree practices now come with DNA testing and breeding records inclusive of health issues.

As well as that, having a certificate for pedigree informs you whether the dog is healthy. Particularly, her ancestors have been tested for genetic diseases which can be a problem for the breed in the future.

Last but not least, pedigree breeds mostly have better appearances and good genes.