Posted by Vanessa
on May 14, 2009, 7:49 pm, in reply to "out-crossing?"
72.39.193.129
"The thing is, you can't develop a line/breed to it's fullest potential without going through the difficult process of keeping litters, culling and fine tuning. The part that's difficult to grasp for some is that in order to breed dogs properly all litters can't be sold; brood litters must be kept. It's whether your motivation is to fatten your wallet or truly improve the breed. This is chess not checkers!"
Agreed!!!
question though, is not out-crossing more beneficial as far as preventing genetic related disease and health issues? as line breeding can concentrate those genes, some of which wont manifest until much later in life, even perhaps after several years, litters and breedings have already taken place? i think line breeding has its place, but it is a seriously delicate balance, especially if there's a matador on the end of it. i am still soaking in the how to's of breeding for long term goals. but my previous work with breeding/line breeding different species, is that close breeding carries these effects. Hence why so many breeds have health issues common to that breed. the question is, how does one keep a line phenotypically consistant without out-crosses and without some sacrafice to the health and hardiness of the line? how many people chart the negative heath related recessives when they occur to attempt to determin the source animal(s)?
no species is perfect, they all have their genetic diseases, my concern is with the development in breeds of dogs there is little natural selection allowed to take place, it is up to us to do everything in our power to make the best choices, and cut our losses when necessary, even on the phenotypically most pleasing dog.....i'm going off on a rant now so i'll stop! lol
but curious about thoughts on this one :D
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