Re: Pedigree dogs 'are as healthy as mongrels' say scientists Probably true for general ailments but I still think you should research any purebred choice very carefully for breed specific health issues and ensure you've had appropriate health tests done wherever possible
Re: Pedigree dogs 'are as healthy as mongrels' say scientists Unfortunately, newspaper interpretation of studies can be very far from accurate. Here is what the Institute of Canine Biology had to say recently This is a quote from very interesting report on a study that has been widely misinterpreted by the press. The Institutes interpretation is a very different one. You can read it here: Purebred v Mixed bred The first graph is particularly clear.
Re: Pedigree dogs 'are as healthy as mongrels' say scientists very interesting reading.. the link to the clinical paper is here: http://www.2ndchance.info/cushings-Bellumori2013.pdf
Re: Pedigree dogs 'are as healthy as mongrels' say scientists Good read (I'm always chuffed when something I've found expands and becomes of real interest )
Re: Pedigree dogs 'are as healthy as mongrels' say scientists As the authors say, there are a number of potential confounds in this study which was based only on a sample of dogs voluntarily brought to the vet (quote below is from the article Pippa linked to, i.e. http://www.instituteofcaninebiology.org/purebred-vs-mixed.html "Using data on clinical occurrence of disease is fraught with difficulty because of many sources of potential complication - [e.g.]perhaps purebred dogs are more likely to receive veterinary treatment than mixed breeds". Apart from making a contribution towards settling debates (a valuable thing) I wonder, though, what is the contribution made by this kind of research? If purebred dogs are more or less prone to heritable diseases than mixed breed dogs, what do we do with that information?
Re: Pedigree dogs 'are as healthy as mongrels' say scientists Many scientists believe that breeding within closed registries is a mistake and will inevitably lead to a genetic 'dead end'. Data like this (if not wilfully misinterpreted) could help to provide a basis for discussing alternatives to our closed registers and the potential of controlled outcrossing to maintain genetic health whilst preserving the form and function of our pedigree breeds. Of course, it is a big leap, an impossible leap for many breeders, to consider outcrossing. But it seems likely that it is one that may be forced on them more and more frequently in the future.
Re: Pedigree dogs 'are as healthy as mongrels' say scientists Yes, that would be worthwhile. I don't know enough about genetics to know how small a breed gene pool is too small, but I wonder if the 'genetic dead end' fears are well founded. I've got a couple of bird geneticist/ecologist friends who know about these things - must quiz them! To me the value of outcrossing lies more in helping breeds steer away from problems like inherited deafness in Dalmations. Also incredibly short faces in Bulldogs etc. I think there's definitely a role for outcrossing to try to reverse some of the more pitiful effects of pursuing physiological extremes as well as the impact of devastating inherited diseases.
Re: Pedigree dogs 'are as healthy as mongrels' say scientists Have a look at this site Rachael The Institute of Canine Biology This is a brief summary of current concerns over the effects of genetic drift within closed registers. This page has a helpful explanation of what happens in closed gene pools What's in the Gene Pool Might stick this up in the health section Rachael - as a topic for discussion
Re: Pedigree dogs 'are as healthy as mongrels' say scientists Will have a good read of all that - thanks!
