Keith,
Makes sense that popular dogs will be healthier if there
is a large gene pool to start. They stated that the Cavalier is the sixth
most common dog in the UK. Could be that too few were used to start to breed,
so many are now inter-related. I agree that irresponsible
breeders are to blame, but they are responding to a market so popularity does
matter. If people were not interested in the dogs, there would be no reason
to breed more. It may be very difficult to remedy the situation for
this breed in the UK now without importing different lines. According to
this report, serious heart and neurological issues are now common to the breed in
the UK.
Amy
From:
owner-pyrnet-l@pyrnet.org [mailto:owner-pyrnet-l@pyrnet.org] On Behalf Of KEITH
WEBER
Sent: Thursday, December 10, 2009 10:40 AM
To: Pyr-Net
Subject: [pyrnet] RE: Pedigree Dogs Exposed
Hello,
I do not think popularity really has anything to do with the health of the
breed. If you really think about it, the very popular breeds... ones with
millions of dogs, should be the most healthy (phyically and genetically)
as there will be a large gene pool and lots of good sires/dams to select among
and pair up.
The real problem underlying the health issues is irresponsible breeders.
The ones who are in it to produce a product (puppies) and make
money. Of course, these folks are not breed fanciers of
any sort, they choose a marketable breed, get a male and female,
and start up the assembly line.
I am quite disgusted with these sorts of folks... they are going to ruin
lots of breeds.
Keith and Soo
Weber
http://www.sdk-weber.com