A breeder in Sakaide city on Shikoku, Japan, took this photo of one of his little dogs, which are in demand and expensive. ( Hidekazu Kawanabe )
Posted on 12/28/2006 5:37:10 AM PST by TigerLikesRooster
A breeder in Sakaide city on Shikoku, Japan, took this photo of one of his little dogs, which are in demand and expensive. ( Hidekazu Kawanabe ) |
Genetic defects rise with fad-driven inbreeding of dogs in Japan
By Martin Fackler
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
TOKYO
Care for a Chihuahua with a blue hue? How about a teacup poodle so tiny it will fit into a purse — the canine equivalent of a bonsai? The Japanese sure do.
Rare and unique dogs are highly prized here and can set buyers back more than ¥1 million, or about $8,400. But the problem is what often arrives in the same litter: genetically defective sister and brother puppies born with missing paws or faces lacking eyes and a nose.
There have been dogs with brain disorders so severe that they spent all day running in circles, and others with bones so frail they dissolved in their bodies. Many carry hidden diseases that crop up years later, veterinarians and breeders say.
Kiyomi Miyauchi was heartbroken to discover this after one of two Boston terriers she bought years ago suddenly collapsed last year into spasms on the living room floor and died. In March, one of its puppies died the same way; another went blind.
Miyauchi stumbled across a widespread problem here that is only starting to get attention. Rampant inbreeding has given Japanese dogs some of the highest rates of genetic defects in the world, sometimes four times higher than in the United States and Europe.
These illnesses are the tragic consequences of the national penchant in Japan for turning things cute and cuddly into social status symbols.
(Excerpt) Read more at iht.com ...
Silly Japanese women, ping!
As soon as a dog breed gets popular here, the puppy mills get started and genetic defects abound.
Either buy from a reputable hobby breeder who gets all the genetic certifications (OFA, PennHip, eyes, etc.) or get a mutt from the pound.
Do mutts come with DNA charts?:-)
If they want a pet THAT small, why not get a hamster and dress it up as a dog?!
"Either buy from a reputable hobby breeder who gets all the genetic certifications (OFA, PennHip, eyes, etc.) or get a mutt from the pound."
or, adopt a liberal, but only after exausting all attempts to find a real dog
I have two Labrador Retrievers who are better bred than any D.A.R. member. My boss says I "give new meaning to the term 'informed consumer'."
But most people don't want to go to all that trouble (and expense). A pound mutt is usually not subject to the genetic issues that are concentrated by inbreeding. Hybrid vigor and all that. It's not risk free, because you have no idea what you're getting, plus people have been known to dump purebred dogs with serious health issues on the pound.
It's less risky than a "purebred" from a puppy mill, though.
Nah, you can't housebreak a liberal.
In the English-speaking world, all those who take up [genealogy] announce sooner or later that they can trace their descent back to Edward III. This should surprise no one with a rudimentary knowledge of mathematics; there are probably one or two well-bred basset hounds who could also trace their descent back to Edward III.— Peter Bowler, The Superior Person’s Book of Words.
Yep, they're called pedigrees and they are easily researched. Many of the breeds are now tracking defects and health issues through the various breed clubs.
Remember to spay or neuter your liberal. You don't want them breeding and increasing the population of unwanted liberals roaming the streets.
Well, a liberal can be your human shield.:-)
All purebreed dogs (for the most part) are inbred, that's how they create breeds.
Not an issue since most of them are gay. ;-)
It might still cut back on some of the problem with antisocial humping in public. :-)
Every hound was a different blend of colors and fur types, and some were tall while others were short, with different sorts and sizes of tails.
You might recommend simply getting a pup from a mixed breed litter from a hillbilly if you want a playful, hardworking, dog's dog sort of dog.
Neddy Three was a very busy guy!
It is an expense! I have golden retreivers from a champion field trial bloodline. When I buy my next female in the not too distant future (my dogs are 13 and 9 years old, mother and daughter), I expect to spend $1500 at least...but she will not have hip dysplasia, and I will know her ancestors back further generations than most Americans know theirs.
But it is worth it. And it supports those who work to keep the obvious problems out of the bloodlines.
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