THE CLINICAL TRUTHS ABOUT PURE BREEDS, MIXED BREEDS, AND DESIGNER BREEDS

[jules77]

http://www.naiaonline...s-and-designer-breeds

[woofgang]

seems like a biased site to me.....

[woofgang]

this article for instance supports bulk breeding of puppies and puppies being sold in pet shops.
http://www.naiaonline...ition-statements/dogs

[lankeela]

Spooky, I came on here to post an article about 'Doodles' which explains that these so called 'designer dogs' are no more healthy than purebred dogs of the breeds used to produce them. If the parents carry genetic problems then they will be passed on to the puppies, whether they are purebred, crossbred or mongrels.

[RATTER15]

It was always said the mongrels were healthier stronger dogs, I think that maybe in years gone by this was the case when most dogs had a free roam of the neighbourhood and only the fittest tougher dogs got to mate the bitches. this practice of allowing dogs to stray in this manner is now thankfully unacceptable.

Some pure bred dogs are a pretty poor example of good healthy dogs but these issues are at last being addressed, often by the specific breed clubs and sometimes by the Kennel Club and some by public outcry and the likes of Panorama.

[wolf63]

I like dogs - pedigree or non-pedigree. Both the dogs that I have had the pleasure of living with were cross-breeds.

What does anger/irritate/infuriate me is the people selling 'designer dogs' at very greedy prices. Having said that I have seen a few articles on-line about Labradoodle guide and assistance dogs and they are gorgeous.

[lankeela]

Wolf the man who 'invented' the Labradoodle says he wishes he had never done it because of all the problems with them and people jumping on the bandwaggon selling all sorts of Doodles for sheer profit with no regard to the health of the parents or the puppies.

[lankeela]

The article I was going to post, but unfortunately its on facebook so don't know if everyone will get it: https://www.facebook..../doc/192415067536841/

[lankeela]

Fair warning, if you have a "Doodle" this article will probably hurt your feelings. But if you want to learn about your breed, read on. Doodles are cute, fluffy, lovable, hypoallergenic, non-shedding, and everywhere these days. The "Perfect Dog" quoted one national magazine. Seems everyone wants a "Doodle: to be their "perfect dog". Doodles are also aggressive, unruly, plagued with skin and coat conditions, chronic ear infections, hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, epilepsy, autoimmune hypothyroidism, Progressive Retinal Atrophy (blindness), Tricuspid Valve Dysplasia (heart abnormalities), Exercise Intolerance and Collapse (EIC), and this is just in the Labrador side of the family. http://woodhavenlabs.com/clearances.html . The Labrador is only one half of the "Doodle" equation. The other half of the equation is the Poodle. Poodles carry and should be tested for Hips, Elbows, Patellas, Eyes for Entropion, Juvenile Cataracts, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, vWD (Von Willebrands) by DNA, Congenital Cardiac Screening, Addisons (Blood), Thyroid (Blood), Sebaceous Adenitis (Skin Punch), JRD/Juvenile Renal Disease by DNA at Dogenes.COM, ONT, CAN and Neonatal Encephalopathy/Ataxia by DNA at the University of Missouri Vet Lab. (Thyroid, Sebaceous Adenities, Addisons and Eyes are tested/updated, registered annually.) http://www.marquisdia...les.com/Genetics.html

[Canary42]

One of those "vested interest" bits of "research" IMO.

[lankeela]

The "Doodle" breeds in America were created by breeders as an attempt to produce a supposedly hypoallergenic, supposedly non-shedding dog that would appeal to the pet buying public. Seems having a mutt is a status symbol these days. The "Doodle" is a toy, miniature, or standard size purebred Poodle mixed with another breed. In short a mixed breed or cross-bred dog. The original intent of Wally Cochran of the Royal Guide Dogs in Australia was to produce hypoallergenic guide dogs for blind clients. Only some of the dogs were hypoallergenic and had a wide variation of coats, some shed some did not. Some had wonderful temperaments, some did not. Mr. Cochran is quoted saying he "Regrets being the founder of what has now become a fashionable trend" Please see the link: http://labradoodle-do.../labradoodle-history/ http://doodlerescue.o...ry-of-the-labradoodle Breeders, especially American breeders jumped on this new breeding bandwagon like fleas on a alley cat. There was a demand for these cute, supposedly hypoallergenic, supposedly non-shedding dogs. In reality the dogs did shed, were not hypoallergenic, could be aloof, aggressive, and were plagued with a variety of genetic diseases.

[lankeela]

How did all this go wrong? Well, aren't mixed breed dogs healthier? Have better temperaments? Live longer? And aren't they soooo much better than purebred dogs? No, No, No, No, and resoundingly NO. Dogs are only as healthy as their genetics allow. Almost everyone "knows" that German Shepherd Dogs have hip dysplasia. And they "know" that Doberman Pinschers turn on their owners. And they "know" Golden Retrievers are the best family dogs. Guess what, they don't "know" squat. Everything dog is governed by genetics, just like all living creatures are the product of their genetics. You have brown or blue eyes because the genetics for those color eyes came from your parents. Dogs are no different. Dogs carry the genetics for good or bad health. A dog with hip dysplasia when bred to another dog with hip dysplasia make puppies with hip dysplasia. German Shepherd Dog breeders have been working for years to eliminate the incidence of hip dysplasia knowing it is a polymorphous gene affected by genetics, environment, and diet. Poodles are affected with a number of genetic health abnormalities and Labrador Retrievers are too. The affected purebred dogs didn't come from the ethical breeders, they came from irresponsible breeders who didn't or wouldn't test the genetic health of their breeding dogs. The ethical, responsible breeders have been trying for years to undo the damage done by the irresponsible breeders. But the ethical breeders can have only so many healthy puppies. When demand outpaces the number of healthy puppies available, the irresponsible breeders have plenty of people to buy their unhealthy dogs. Irresponsible breeders are literally committing fraud by not telling their buyers the puppies are affected with genetic diseases. Irresponsible breeders may offer some vague promises but they always act surprised when an owner calls the breeder with a question or complaint about their puppy. Irresponsible breeders take the money and make the sick puppy your problem

[lankeela]

Genetic abnormalities in purebred dogs are not the result of "inbreeding" or "line breeding" they are the result of irresponsible breeding. Humans carry any number of genetic abnormalities but we don't blame our parents or grandparents for producing children with potential genetic problems such as Alzheimer's, or psoriasis. And I am in no way suggesting people be "tested" as that was the realm of Hitler and his atrocities. But if parents know they both have a genetic abnormality that they can pass on to their children that is fatal, they usually opt not to have children. Humans have freewill regarding their choice of mates and they have freewill whether to procreate. Dogs do not have those choices or the ability to make rational decisions about their children. Genetic abnormalities exist in every species, human or animal. The problems begin when dogs with easily identified genetic problems such as Degenerative (chronic and progressive) Myelopathy (DM) are bred and produce the genetic disease in their offspring. This particular disease which is similar to Multiple Sclerosis in humans, causes paralysis of the spinal cord and resultant degeneration of the spine. The disease affects German Shepherd Dogs but is also found in Boxers, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, Wire Fox Terriers, Poodles and others breeds. So ethical breeders test for the diseases for which tests are available. With Degenerative (chronic and progressive) Myelopathy a simple cheek swab for the DNA from each dog is collected and a check for $65.00 submitted to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA), The sample of DNA is analysed and this will determine if the dog is normal (carrying one normal gene from the father and one normal gene from the mother) which will produce puppies without DM; or a carrier (carrying one normal gene from the father or mother and a mutated gene from either the father or mother) which will produce carrier puppies, or carrying 2 mutated genes (one mutated gene from each parent) and designated as affected/at risk. This simple and inexpensive procedure can determine whether a particular dog should be bred. Isn't it reasonable to expect a breeder to perform this test to save a lot of future pain for the dog and a broken heart for the owner? What is so difficult about this??

[lankeela]

Back to the "Doodles". With the rise in popularity of the breed, demand for puppies increased, and the breeders jumped on the bandwagon. "Doodles" are selling for exorbitant amounts of money. More money than a health tested purebred puppy from an ethical breeder! Exorbitant prices for a puppy from untested parents, with no guarantees of health. In our little local pet advertisements there are listed: Goldendoodles (Golden Retriever x Poodle), Labradoodles Labrador Retriever x Poodle), Saintadoodles (Saint Bernard x Poodle), Maladoodles (Malamute x Poodle), Gordondoodles (Gordon Setter x Poodle), Borzadoodle (Borzoi x Poodle). And on the small side of the size scale Pugadoodle (Pug x Toy Poodle), Beagdoodle (Beagle x Toy or Miniature Poodle), Scoodle (Scottish Terrier x Minature Poodle), Snoodle (Schnauzer x Miniature Poodle). Getting the picture? I actually called the breeder of the Gordondoodles and asked about the puppies. The cost of the puppies was $2500.00 and she said she had a waiting list. I asked if she tested the parents? Her answer was "Test for what?". Obviously no testing on those parents for hip dysplasia or any of the genetic diseases common to both Poodles and Gordon Setters. "Send a $300.00 deposit within two days to hold a puppy", she went on. What did she feed these extraordinarily expensive puppies? The cheapest crap dog food on the market. Were the puppies checked by a veterinarian? She said "No, I can decide who was sick or not." Did she do any vaccinations? She answered "No they were too young for shots." How old were the puppies when she allowed them to leave for their new homes? "Usually 6-8 weeks", she answered. Pennsylvania Animal Law requires puppies be 8 weeks of age to leave. So this supposed breeder, who claimed to be a licensed "Professional Breeder" with over 50 dogs in her kennel, was earning a nice living from the unsuspecting buyers who were obviously flocking to her door. She got a little annoyed with my questions and impatient to get off the telephone since I wasn't begging to buy one of her puppies. Fat chance. So dear reader, if you have a "Doodle" love it and hope for the best. If you are considering a "Doodle" carefully question any breeder about health testing, the conditions the dogs live in, the diet they are fed, and be sure any guarantees for health are in writing. If you wind up with a genetic nightmare with health and behavior issues, I can only pray you find the help you need and to say you were warned. Purebred dog breeders that are ethical and truly concerned about their breed do the genetic testing, keep the dogs in optimum conditions, and stand by their dogs for life. Put the blame for all the dogs dumped into rescues and shelters, dogs who suffer a lifetime of poor health, who break their owner's hearts, right where it belongs.

[woofgang]

Yup and there are breeders of "purebreds" who do as badly.

[lankeela]

Can't disagree there, but its down to puppy buyers to ensure they go to reputable breeders who health test. Puppy farmers and back yard breeders love the people who don't ask any questions and 'only want a pet' but they are entitled to a healthy typical specimen of their chosen breed but of course they will have to pay the going rate, which some people don't want to do - just hope they don't end up paying far more in vets bills and emotions.

[jules77]

Good posts L. Sadly there are too many unethical breeders who only see pound signs when breeding, and wont fork out for appropriate health tests.

[woofgang]

I agree with that too but can only be suspicious of a sit that supports "well run" puppy farms and dogs sold from "well run" petshops

[ladybirder]

Agree woof, unbelievable.

[lankeela]

This is obviously an American site, which would explain the 'support' for commercial kennels and petshops as there is a greater demand for puppies than we would see in this country. It does however stress the importance of checking the facilities and paperwork before purchasing, to ensure they are not buying from poorly run establishments which we would call puppy farms over here.

[woofgang]

Yup and those well run farms and petshops will ship your puppy to you mail order...just pop it in a carrier and onto a plane...no investigation into who you are or why you want a dog, if you have the money, they have the puppy for you.
And if you think the uk have an unwanted pet problem....well you ain't seen nuthin.