Breeding - Page 1

I have a masters degree in biology, and I specialized in genetics.   Having your dogs hips and elbows x-rayed before breeding is appropriate and ethical, yes, however, whether or not your dog is without display of genetic mutation, they CAN still in fact, produce puppies that do have the mutation that causes HD and elbow problems.  The more inline breeding in their genetics, the more likely it is that they will pass on mutated genes.  If they breed with another dog that was inline bred, and even more disatrous still, if they are bred with an inline bred dog that has more than one dog from the same linebred line as their own, the more likely mutated alleles are going to line up like cherries on a slot machine.  Only very sophisticated genetic testing that doesn't have a club yet can determine the probability of HD and other problems in a dogs progeny.  So yes, having OFA give their stamp of approval is NICE, but it really doesn't mean crap in the grand scheme of things.  IN FACT, GSD breeders need to pay more attention to their own inbreeding backyards and spend less time investigating everyone else.  I do ONE litter at a time, and I do more screening on my dogs than any GSD person posting comments about ethical breeding.  I usually keep to myself, because my puppies speak for themself and I don't need validation nor approval from anyone that think they are so all knowing and impressive.  That's all I have to say about that.  : )

What is the purpose of this post other then trying to bait someone into an argument?  

I just love it...!

As a 15 year old kid in sophomore biology class, i understood this. I also came up with this theory without reading any info/opinions about it from anyone else. I agree with you a lot. I think that too much line breeding over and over and over is causing many mutations. These mutations may be recessive, and thats why you see it in some of the progeny and not in the dog that is being bred. Although I do think that 5-5 and some cases of 4-4 on dogs who produced solid dogs, and nothing but health, can be healthy in a way. I read some where that, not close, but not distant relations, can produce even healthier offspring. I do not think your objective is for an argument but more for the education for others. Thanks for posting this, so i dont feel like the only one!!!

Rocco:
    Masters in Biology, with specialization in genetics, I am impressed. As a high school graduate myself, I am eager to gain wisdom from you regarding line breeding and genetics.

I flunked highschool biology.  But, for those of you that have trouble comprehending the OP, the "point" isn't how much Rocco knows, it's how much he knows in spite of how much better YOU think you know.  Nice to know I'm not the only one who gets sick of the attitudes among our flocks.

i was thinking something like that, but didnt have the factual knowledge, to support it, but it makes perfect sence thx @ Rocco

Some of us have known this for decades, the ones you need to reach wont listen or acknowledge because it may go against what they LIKE.

as a student of the human animal, {GSDs are a better subject and a lot more honest] I love to be taught about new things and learn from everyone. [ a fool learns from no one] I find it difficult to listen to a teacher or someone whom has the ability to impart their vast knowledge when they call me a ''****'' or my friends ''*****'' . One good thing about higher education, there is aways a peer review to stop someone with a slanted- pointed- angry mission from getting too far off base and gain the title Dr. **** PhD.

After reading this , I pondered why it was posted ........

I didnt flunk hs biology and in fact I went to vet school but agree completely with darylehret. "I do more screening on my dogs than any GSD person posting comments about ethical breeding.  I usually keep to myself, because my puppies speak for themself and I don't need validation nor approval from anyone that think they are so all knowing and impressive.  That's all I have to say about that."  I can see the humble boat must have passed you by while you were posting here. I also see that your female is not OFA, SV, Penn Hip etc and wonder if you posted this because your own dog is not cleared and you have pups on the ground? Nor are too many of the dogs in the pedigree. After thinking about it, it sounds more like a rebuttal to someone else. So I would say this to you...........

You may have a masters degree and have degree's in genetics. It still won't get you too far with other dog people. Proof is in the paper. It's not 100% but it at least tells the other person you give a damn to xray your own dogs before you breed them whether you have a crystal ball or not.

Barb