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In reply to the discussion: We’re Breeding Dogs to Death [View all]The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,601 posts)7. Same for cats.
An article about how inbreeding to get a "breed standard" works, and what happens:
The effects of inbreeding have been dire. Siamese have cancer rates rivaling those of Bernese mountain dogs and other cancer-prone dog breeds. They are especially prone to breast cancer. Accordingly, the life span of the Siamese is considerably shorterwith a median length of 1012 years in one studythan that of the average house cat (1520 years). Other natural breeds, such as the Abyssinian, also have shortened life expectancies as a result of inbreeding. Those that live longest are prone to blindness by means of progressive retinal atrophy and other defects of premature aging.
http://www.salon.com/2015/05/25/how_fancy_cats_evolved_the_science_of_our_most_adorable_pets/
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With racehorses the problem is horses bred to sell as babies for big bucks not horses bred to race.
bklyncowgirl
May 2015
#19
Yeah, how used up or non-winning greyhounds are put down is a tragic, dirty secret. nt
brush
Jun 2015
#126
I would blame idiots who think they can buy a chihuahua and "be like" Paris, et al.
Scootaloo
Jun 2015
#109
Yes -- makes me so mad! I feel horrible for the poor tiny-nosed "smoosh faced" kitties.
Arugula Latte
May 2015
#41
Jackson Galaxy, the "My Cat From Hell" behaviorist, went on an absolutely
bullwinkle428
Jun 2015
#102
Even the dogs you take in as strays or adopt from the shelter came from somewhere.
pnwmom
May 2015
#70
No, but you eat meat, don't you? It's an animal product that is bought and sold.
pnwmom
May 2015
#73
No. If it was illegal to sell dogs, then no one would be having 'pure bred' breeds anymore.
Lancero
Jun 2015
#113
In some breeds, including Goldens, neutering raises the risk of serious cancers.
pnwmom
Jun 2015
#108
There is an alternative, without the health effects, that is far more common in Europe.
pnwmom
Jun 2015
#127
I had a border collie mix when the AKC was considering adding them to a breed list
hollysmom
May 2015
#31
My brother and sister-in-law adopted a CKCS a couple of years ago. The poor thing
bullwinkle428
Jun 2015
#104
Yeah, it started with the domestication of non-human life all those years ago
The2ndWheel
May 2015
#24
And this is what the bushes and the creepy eugenics people want to do to humans
Dont call me Shirley
May 2015
#49
I've done a little more reading on this, and learned some interesting things.
The Velveteen Ocelot
May 2015
#74