Pure Pedigrees, Not so Great Genetics

By Amanda Glowa

Purebred dogs often win best in show, but typically come last in the comparison of health and well-being. Twenty-nine percent of people purchase their dogs from breeders (ASPCA), often not realizing the severe genetic diseases that can accompany that choice. Are we sacrificing health for looks when it comes to our dogs? In this article, we discuss what breeding is, why it’s done, and how it affects the health of our beloved canine companions. 

What does it mean to be purebred? Merriam-Webster defines purebred as being “bred from members of a recognized breed, strain, or kind without any admixture of other blood over many generations”. We’ve been breeding dogs for almost 4,000 years, but the majority of the breeds we know and love today have developed over the last two hundred years. We used to breed dogs for jobs and pure athleticism, but with the introduction of dog shows and the American Kennel Club, we now breed them for appearance. To keep a dog purebred, the two dogs breeding must be from the exact same gene pool. These gene pools are already limited so breeders often use line breeding, or in other words, mating dogs that are directly related. As with humans, the inbreeding of dogs puts them at risk for a multitude of health risks such as weakened immune systems and physical problems like hip dysplasia.

​There are many reasons why people look to purchase purebred dogs. First, you know the physical traits your purebred puppy will have. If you are looking for an English yellow Labrador retriever, you know the approximate size, color, and shape the puppy will be when it grows up. With a mix or crossover puppy, it is similar to humans in which we do not know what traits from each parent will be passed down. Second, some aspects of temperament can be predicted with purebred dogs. If you are looking for a very high energy dog, that can be predicted by its breed. If you are looking for a dog as a companion or a hunting dog, the success it can have in that position can also be predicted by its breed. Lastly, people often believe that if their puppy was raised by a professional breeder, it will become a friendly adult dog. Unfortunately, this is not always the case and is dependent on the individual dog. Like people, all dogs are different and have different personalities. 

While there are many pros and cons involved with purebred dogs, by far one of the main concerns is the effect that breeding has on a dog’s health and well-being. The bulldog is one of the prime examples for this concern. Bulldogs were originally used to help control livestock, particularly in the act of bull baiting (hence the name-bulldogs). Bull baiting was the practice of a dog biting onto a tethered bull’s nose and bringing them to the ground. The short stalky dogs we know today would not be capable of such a job, but that’s because they were bred in such a way. In fact, bulldogs used to look extraordinarily similar to pit bulls. Bull baiting was outlawed and it was a common concern that bulldogs would go extinct. To prevent this, they were no longer bred for athleticism, instead being bred for a large head, short legs, and an even shorter, pushed in muzzle. While we successfully made the bulldog cuter, we managed to breed a dog that is extremely susceptible to overheating and can no longer swim. On top of those things, the majority of bulldogs have difficulty mating, moving, and breathing. In fact, bulldogs require artificial insemination to breed because they cannot naturally mate by mounting the female. Due to poor breeding practices, the bone structure of the female bulldog cannot support the weight of the male. They can’t even birth naturally as the majority of the puppies heads are too big to fit through the birth canal, requiring caesarean sections in about eighty percent of bulldog births. We made the mere existence of the bulldog difficult.

Regrettably, bulldogs are not the only breed that faces the genetic health issues humans have caused with breeding. At age five, almost 70% of the King Charles Cavaliers suffer from Canine Syringomyelia, what Scientific American describes as “a debilitating neurological disorder in which the brain is too large for the skull, causing severe pain in the neck and shoulders, along with damage to parts of the dog’s spinal cord.” Dachshunds, otherwise known as wiener dogs, were bred for their elongated body which puts them at a predisposed risk for Intervertebral Disk Disease, a debilitating disease that causes ruptured spinal discs. The prestigious Westminster dog show 4-time winning breed, the Pekingese often suffer from their eyes popping out of their sockets because they do not fully enclose the eyeball. The list of problems facing dogs due to breeding is a long one.

There are a few things that can be done to lower the risk for genetic diseases such as those previously listed. Quality breeders can do genetic testing on prospective breeding matches and avoid breeding them based on results that show defects. They can also breed dogs from genetic lines that are farther apart to help create diversity in the gene pool. Unfortunately, with the popularity of amateur breeders and puppy mills the already small gene pool with many breeds continues to shrink. There is hope that with scientific research some of these breeds can keep the same form and personality, but be crossed with other dogs to form a healthier pedigree. There are a few things we can personally do to keep our beloved canines healthy such as ensuring that if you buy a dog, do your research and ensure that it is from a responsible breeder. The reason breeding is still common is because there is an economic demand for it so you can also not contribute at all and support your local shelters by adopting through them.

​There is no right or wrong choice when it comes to deciding to bring home a purebred or mixed breed dog, the important thing is to be fully informed of your decision. It is also important to know that you can find many purebred dogs in shelters. There are even breed specific rescue groups! Shelters often cost less and provided all necessary medical treatment for you.  You can save a life while still having the dog of your dreams! If you do decide to bring home a purebred pup, do your research about the breed and especially the breeder if that’s the route you take. Make your decision knowing that hefty veterinary bills and illness can accompany that purebred certificate. No matter what you choose, I wish you and your pup happy times!

References:
"Pet Statistics." ASPCA. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Mar. 2017.
Bastian, John. "The History of Bulldogs." Cesar's Way. N.p., 07 Dec. 2015. Web. 23 Mar. 2017.
Maldarelli, Claire, and Scienceline. "Although Purebred Dogs Can Be Best in Show, Are They Worst in Health?" Scientific American. N.p., 20 Feb. 2014. Web. 23 Mar. 2017.

AUTHOR BIO

​Amanda Glowa is completing her sophomore year of college at Mankato State University majoring in Pre-Vet studies. She often spends time with her beloved pug Finn and can be found at the local dog park. She is employed as a pet care attendent at a dog kennel. She frequently job shadows at veterinary offices. Amanda’s main passion in life is the care and wellness of small animals.