Dog Breeding - History

Studies reveal humans enjoyed taking dogs as pets even in prehistoric times. For thousands of years man has enjoyed a good relationship with certain types of dog. Dogs which proved useful were fed and taken care of. Over time dogs became domesticated until they reached the point where they were able to serve a variety of purposes. There are now different groups of dogs including hunting dogs, sight hounds, and guardian or livestock dogs. To maintain certain characteristics people deliberately mated different breeds.

Years ago purebred dogs were purely for the rich and famous. Today purebred dogs are more affordable because of the huge amount of competition in the dog breeding industry. Some breeders concentrate on purebreds, while others prefer to focus their attention on mixed breed or cross breed dogs. Different forms of breeding exist, and these include out-crossing, inbreeding and line breeding.

The dogs should be registered at kennel clubs. Stud owners should also be registered to enable you to receive the necessary documents. The American Kennel Club, or AKC as it is known, is quite popular in the US and it maintains a large database of dogs, including information about their lineage, achievements, and working qualities. These dogs are also associated with the kennel clubs in the US.

Purebreds are recorded separately in the registry. Dog breeders are actively encouraged to check the registry to learn more about particular dog breeds. The breeder can use the records to analyze pedigrees, traits, and other important information. The registration process will differ according to the state you live in, the registries, and the kennel clubs. A certain breed will have standards which the breeder will need to adhere to. The breeder should follow all the rules to ensure the health of the dogs.

The dogs will be required to undergo eye examinations, hip certifications, and joint x-rays. Your dog will have to undergo variety of tests and tasks before obtaining its certification. An expert will have to evaluate your dog's working qualities and other factors before certification can be granted.

New breeders are often nicknamed 'backyard breeders.' These mass producing businesses are called puppy mills, or puppy farms. Animal activists dislike all forms of dog breeding. As a breeder it is your responsibility to behave in an ethical manner. Animal activists claim that inbreeding increases the chances of dogs inheriting genetic disorders. They feel the world is becoming overpopulated with pets, and they also protest against the annual killing of pets in animal shelters.

Dog breeders are well aware of the fact that dogs possess inheritable characteristics in the same way that humans do. It is therefore important to ensure that only the good characteristics are passed on to pups. Common hereditary problems include hip dysplasia, heart conditions, eye problems, bone or joint conditions, and deafness.

Breed clubs and dog registries conduct extensive studies into these inherited conditions so that breeders can have enough information to help prevent them. The OFA (Orthopedic Foundation of Animals) collates useful information for dog breeders.

Dog breeding enjoys a long and rich history. People have chosen dogs as their pets for thousands of years, so it's no wonder dogs are able to enjoy such a close relationship with their human companions. Do you want to become a dog breeder? Make a decision now.

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Dog Breeding and Genetic Diseases

The dog breeding world has been accused of prioritizing appearance over inherited disease problems and government control of the production of both pedigree and non-pedigree dogs could be a helpful tool for solving this problem. Kennel clubs issue standard that define the appearance of show winning dogs. At the same time, more genetic screening tests are being introduced in an attempt to solve problems related to inherited diseases.

The frequency of inherited conditions can be decreased by implementing good breeding practices. Many disorders that are believed to be inherited are now studied and there are ways to identify the disease, recognize carriers of the disease but the specific patterns of inheritance have not been established yet. There are breed dispositions, so dogs classified in these breeds should not be used in breeding programs.

Many breeders make efforts to ensure the highest standards of welfare, take proper care of their dogs and try to ensure good homes for the puppies. They spend time and resources to make sure that genetic disorders in their lines are avoided. However, there are amateur breeders and puppy mills where there is no screening and poor genetic health is perpetuated.

Common hereditary diseases can affect different organs. Buyers of pure-bred puppies should ask for certification as a means of protecting themselves from amateur breeders that use questionable practices to breed their dogs.

Dogs can be affected by inherited disease of the eye, such as cataracts, glaucoma or progressive retinal atrophy. Collie eye anomaly is a problem with the blood supply to the retina and can result in a detached retina before two years of age, and eventually in blindness. All collie breeds can be affected by this condition.

Other inherited diseases can be musculoskeletal disorders. Hip dysplasia is one common disease and can cause osteoarthritis in the joint, the dogs affected by this condition becoming lame. Large breeds and some medium-sized breeds are commonly affected by hip dysplasia.

Heart diseases, such as mitral valve disease, aortic stenosis, tricuspid valve dysplasia are another group of inherited disorders. Endocrine disorders such as diabetes mellitus or hyperthyroidism can also be caused by genetic factors.

A pedigree puppy can be chosen to suit your lifestyle so that you will be better able to take care of it. With pedigree puppies you can find out about genetic tests that are available for the specific breed, but you have to make sure you choose a good breeder.

Just as humans can be unhealthy, dogs can suffer from genetic disorders. Kennel clubs make efforts to improve the health of pedigree dogs and use certifications to ensure that the dogs they are responsible for are checked for diseases. Moreover, they are involved in keeping such problems under control for future generations.

Breed standards are continuously reviewed and health schemes are implemented to avoid perpetuating sicknesses in future generations of dogs. Even though there are breeders that continue to breed unhealthy dogs, pet owners can actively combat such practices by refusing to buy puppies from such breeders.

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Dog Breeding - Joint Problems

Hip problems can affect several different breeds, and they need to be identified early on. You may have thought smaller dogs were immune from hip problems but this is not the case. In fact hip problems can occur in dogs of any breed, and at any time. You cannot be sure if your own dog is suffering from hip problems, but the information in this article should help you to make a determination.

The commonest hip condition is known as hip dysplasia, a term which refers to the malformation or deterioration of the hip joint. The hip joint is sited on a socket which secures the head of the femur. When the socket is excessively shallow it gives rise hip dysplasia. Following diagnosis the problem needs to be treated urgently because it can cause a lot of pain, especially when the cartilage has already been destroyed. Asymptomatic dogs should not be used for breeding. Although the condition is common among the larger breeds studies have shown that smaller breeds including Cocker Spaniels and Shetland Sheepdogs can also be affected.

It is difficult to tell if your dog has dysplasia without a radiograph. Your vet will not be able to analyse the results, and therefore you will need to send the hip x-ray to the Orthopedic Foundation of Animals in the US. The evaluation process normally takes several weeks. There are similar programs available in Britain, Europe, or Canada, but the certification will vary depending on the age of the dog.

Some organizations issue certification for dogs aged one year and above, whilst others wait until the dog is at least two years old. Look for an organization which provides the appropriate certification.

There is another joint problem called OCD or Osteochondrosis Dessicans which is located in the elbow area. This condition arises when the flake or bone spur wears out, giving rise to a lot of pain and stiffness. In order to obtain the correct diagnosis your dog's elbow joints will have to be x-rayed. Dogs with hip dysplasia may also be suffering with OCD.

Patellar Luxation is another joint problem sometimes seen in dogs. It is a condition which affects the dog's kneecaps, and is usually associated with the smaller breeds. When the kneecap slips out of position it causes the dog's leg to become locked in a straight position. Fortunately this condition can be treated successfully with surgery. Nevertheless, it is not a good idea to breed dogs suffering with this condition because of its hereditary nature. There is a strong possibility that any pups will inherit the condition.

If you speak to an expert they will be able to tell you more about the various joint problems. As well as the problems already mentioned dogs can suffer from a condition known as hock which affects the spine; and there are many other joint problems you need to be aware of. You will need to learn as much as possible about the dog breed you're handling. Carry out research into bloodlines and potential joint problems; and since most of the conditions are hereditary in nature you will need to take extra care when selecting a breed.

Dog breeding is not an easy task. Learn as much as you can about the subject, and keep up to date with any developments. To be a successful breeder you will need to keep your dogs fit and healthy.

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