Pure-bred Dogs The price of pedigree Sophie Anderson

The evolution of breed ● Domestication ● Breeding for function ● The kennel club ● Breeding for form

1. Inbreeding ● Increases both desirable and undesirable traits ● Decreases genetic diversity ● Cause of congenital deformity, low fertility and weakened immune system

2. Hereditary disease ● No mandatory screening ● Many disorders are recessive ● Historically dogs culled for non- conformity tg_10_2511_a_diseases_and_descriptions-gribbles1.pdf

3. Physical deformity ● Influenced by breed standard eg. Bulldog ● “The face, measured from the front of the cheek-bone to the nose, should be as short as possible, and its skin should be deeply and closely wrinkled.”

Positive Actions ● Accredited Breeder Scheme (NZKC) ● Increasing knowledge of genetics and available screening can reduce hereditary disease ● Modern vets and breeders oppose culling of healthy animals