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:thumb:
Selective breeding to an extent isn't a bad thing, or at least it wasn't in the past when it was done for reasons other than vanity and producing expensive (and weird-looking, imo) pets. It's awful reading about some of the health problems pedigrees have, iirc Dalmatians are particularly affected because their breeding process is so strict.
The process of breed differentiation causes deliberate inbreeding. This inbreeding decreases genetic diversity which also decreases heterozygosity, thus increasing homozygosity. Which makes deletarious recessive aleles more likely to be expressed. Which basically means that pure bred dogs are more prone to diseases and morpheological problems than cross breeds and mongrels.
A classic example is the bull dog, it has been bred for its short snout which makes it extremely prone to respiratory problems. Big dogs such as retrievers and boxers are prone to hip displaycia (sp?!).
Cross breeding dogs kind of dilutes the alleles and brings back heterozygosity.
so yes therefore you are wrong
That's because white animals are quite often born deaf. It's the same with white boxers.
A lot of the little dog breeds were bred specifically for lookign nice and being lap dogs, which is a little sad. I don't liek the thought of dogs as fashion items.
Ilora x
Yeah, it's a little peculiar, to say the least. But where's there's demand...
I didn't know that about white animals, you learn something new every day!
White cats with blue eyes are more likey to be deaf in both ears. White cats with one blue eye are more likely to be deaf in on the blue eyed side. Those with orange eyes have a far higher chance of being able to hear.
Intresting eh?
Surely not all white ones though? I've had loads of westies and none of them have been deaf, or does that depend on how 'inbred' they are?
It doesn't affect every breed.
I know it affects Dally's, boxers, and white cats.
I'd actually always wondered if cats having one blue eye was an indication of anything since I see them all the time. Who says this place isn't an education!?
You're really wrong stargalaxative.
I always wanted a dog, and I fancy a collie, cos they're supposed to be very bright.
:yes:. I've a Border Collie/Lab cross and she is the most loyal/intelligent/active/friendly/gorgeous (etcetc) dog ever. Am just a bit biased toward Collies of any type, though some of the pure-breeds can be a bit fierce and also destructive as rainbow brite said.
Definitely depends on what you're looking for and what you have to offer the dog, too.
At least with a collie I'd have someone to go running with.
At least he has the ability to admit when he's wrong.
Don't you mean sundial though?
The labradoodle that is.
They look quite cute.