Breeding dogs or breeding pets for that matter is a very serious business. One that requires knowledge about genetics and behavioral traits in order to positively contribute to the betterment of the species or breed. Unfortunately most breeders are in this game for the “easy money”, while others are genuinely thinking they are doing a “good job’ however in fact they are one of the main factors in the declination of many dog breeds health.
Why do we breed dogs?
Simply explained, humans started breeding dogs to perform a specific task or job. They were bred with utility in mind, such as hunting game, herding livestock or protection. Dogs were bred with purpose, like the Chihuahuas that kept tarantulas out of the houses in Mexico, hence these dogs posess a lot of hunt drives. Another example is the German Shepherd that was bred as a multi purposed dog for the German Military, able to track people, be agile, obedient and a good protector for his partner, the soldier. The dogs that were bred were carefully selected on health and behavior traits. Any pup that didn’t met the standard was culled. A practice that in the modern days would seem very cruel.
Today’s lack of breeding standard!
Terrible slouch back and crooked legs and feet. Example of BAD breeding standards
Over the last 70 years dogs are bred not for purpose but rather looks. More red color in the coat, taller, bigger, smaller etc. No utility standards anymore, if it looks good that’s enough. Temperament, behavioral traits but more important health standards are thrown out of the window. The prettier the dog the more money breeders make. A practice that introduced many genetic defects in to many breeds. Today, almost ALL breeds suffer from hereditary diseases and defects. Some of them preventable by implementing higher breed standards.
Today, there are more back yard breeders and commercial breeders that have absolutely no idea what they are doing and are also not interested in improving a breed. Their only interest is the mighty dollar.
DNA? - BREEDERS DON’T CARE!
In 2021 modern technology and DNA testing have capabilities in where many of these genetic defects can be identified. Easy tests kits are the DNA kits from EMBARK.
GSD with perfect back and legs
For example Degenerative myelopathy, in short DM and also now as chronic degenerative radiculomyelopahty (CDRM), is a disease affecting the spinal cord, resulting in slowly progressive hind limb weakness and paralysis. A condition that could easily be bred out all dog breeds if breeders would honor ethical breeding standards. It is my personal opinion that only DM CLEAR dogs should be bred together, if of course they are also clear of all other detectable hereditary diseases. So many breeders believe that with breeding for example a one allele positive DM dog with a clear dog, non of the offspring will be ok. Well in theory that might be the case, however some of these offspring will still be one allele positive. If people then start breeding their beautiful shepherd with their neighbors beautiful shepherd we might end of with DM positive dogs again. So only breeding CLEAR dogs is the only way to eliminate this disease. I give this example as it is very easy and cheap to test.
In Belgium and the Netherlands for example it is illegal to breed dogs and all pets for that matter that have known genetic defects. Royal decree article 3.4 of June 17 2014 and the European protection of breeding practices for pets (Trb. 1988,1) prohibits breeding of all animals with known genetic defects and hereditary diseases. That same article prohibits a female to be bred more than one time per a 12 month period. A practice I applaud.
Captain Max Emil Friedrich von Stephanitz
I hope that through education and legislation breeding practices in the United States and hopefully world wide will change. We owe it to the old creators like Captain Max Emil Friedrich von Stephanitz, the father of the German Shepherd. To conclude in his words: “ The breeding of Shepherd dogs is the breeding of working dogs, Utility is the true criterion of beauty, correctly bred, the German shepherd has firmness of nerves, attentiveness, unshockability, tractability, watchfulness, reliability and incorruptibility together with courage, fighting tenacity and hardness. In a body that is athletic, strong, agile and healthy.”
- Bart de Gols -