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General Discussion of Dog Breeds
We get our idea of dog breeds and "standards of perfection" from the nineteenth century. Our notion of a "breed" is so demanding and narrow that it can only be maintained by extreme inbreeding and severe selection. Along with these practices go loss of genetic diversity and an upsurge in genetic disease. Have outmoded ideals and eugenic notions brought us to a state of genetic crisis in our dog breeds?

5 Topics

38 Posts

Last post by ditkoofseppala
on 09 Sep 2008, 14:51
Chinook
The Chinook breed currently faces a crisis in its existence. One minority breed faction has taken the breed to the American Kennel Club's "Foundation Stock Service," from which it is now ready to enter the AKC Miscellaneous Class at any time, and from there to full AKC recognition within two years. Much of the present UKC breed population may be left out of the new AKC Chinook stud book, including several bloodlines that hold the best potential for increasing the genetic diversity of the breed; in any case, can this breed possibly prosper in an AKC closed stud book?

2 Topics

11 Posts

Last post by ditkoofseppala
on 27 Aug 2008, 05:25
Seppala Siberian Sleddog
The Seppala Siberian Sleddog exists as a small "evolving breed" population that separated from the Siberian Husky mainstream in 1997 when The Canadian Kennel Club refused registration of new Siberia import stock, blocking genetic renewal for Seppalas. It is recognised in Canada by the Working Canine Association of Canada, a chartered Animal Pedigree Association under the Animal Pedigree Act. Can this tiny population actually become a pilot project for genetic renewal, or is it just as much at risk as other small-population rare breeds?

6 Topics

45 Posts

Last post by Joel
on 15 Dec 2009, 10:32
Other Breeds
Many dog breeds today have problems that are directly related to the breed-purity fetish, to registries, or to closed stud books and inbreeding. We will gladly create a separate forum here for serious discussion of any breed (within the terms of the overall focus of 21st Century Dog Breeds) for which there is sufficient interest. Please email admin to request a new forum. Otherwise you can simply post a topic in this forum. (Please note, though, that these forums are not designed for general breed chat.)

2 Topics

3 Posts

Last post by ditkoofseppala
on 06 Jun 2008, 15:17
Alaskan Husky
The "Alaskan husky" isn't a breed -- or is it? It has only a defining purpose, with no restrictions as to breed type or ancestry. Nevertheless, it is a well-recognised population group. Can selection for purpose alone make a breed?

1 Topics

18 Posts

Last post by ditkoofseppala
on 30 Oct 2008, 16:33
Canine Hybrids
Domestic dogs "hybridise" freely with other members of genus Canis. This forum is for discussion of such inter-species hybrids -- if, indeed, they actually are true hybrids. Or is the entire genus actually a super-species?

1 Topics

6 Posts

Last post by ditkoofseppala
on 08 Jun 2008, 14:55

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Registries
Large national "all-breed" registries have created the purebred dog fancy as we know it today. They regulate dog shows, license show judges, bestow titles, recognise breeds, recognise other registries, identify foundation stock and generally control the overall structure of dog breeding. Should registries have that much power and control over dog breeding and breeders? Would our dogs be better off with single-breed registries instead of these massive, powerful national all-breed registries? Or is there a more radical solution that would totally eliminate registry politics?

5 Topics

42 Posts

Last post by Sheryl
on 31 Oct 2008, 10:22
The Purebred Concept
The concept of the "purebred" animal has developed over the past century to its present state. Stud books are inaugurated with very small founder groups, then closer forever in defense of "breed purity." Today it is taken for granted that the slightest input from outside a breed's original founder group results in "mongrels." These racist ideas appear to have resulted in bad genetics for today's dog breeds. Should "purebred" necessarily imply rigidly and permanently closed stud books? Do we need to think again about our definition of "purebred"?

1 Topics

5 Posts

Last post by ditkoofseppala
on 12 Sep 2008, 03:45
Population Genetics
The science of population genetics has been around for almost a century but has yet to become generally known to the world of purebred dogs. What does population genetics tell us about the way we breed our dogs, the nature of our breeds, and the structure of our canine registries?

1 Topics

2 Posts

Last post by rwelshman
on 07 Jun 2008, 21:50
Inbreeding and Artificial Selection
Modern show dog 'purebred' breeding could not exist without inbreeding, at least given current practices and judging norms. Repeated cycles of inbreeding and artificial selection lead to the depletion of canine breed genomes and loss of healthy genetic diversity. The Victorian pursuit of "excellence" has proven to be the enemy of canine genetic health. Why must there be so much inbreeding? Why should extreme selection be part of the dog game? Now it is becoming evident that screening programmes directed against genetic disease could result in a new "killer wave" of additional artificial selection. Is there any way out of this hopeless cycle?

4 Topics

29 Posts

Last post by hicntry
on 05 Sep 2008, 20:52

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