Due to the potential for long-term health issues, it is typically thought to be dangerous to breed dogs from the same litter. Even if inbreeding is carefully planned and controlled, it can eventually lead to other indirect issues.
However, for dog breeds to survive, there must still be some degree of inbreeding; otherwise, Labradors won’t look like Labradors anymore, and so on. However, it is advised that breeding dogs not have the same parents or ancestors in a four-generation pedigree. This makes sure that a litter’s genetic makeup is similar to that of its parents but not so similar that it drastically reduces the gene pool over time.
What To Do?
As you can see, inbreeding causes serious issues because the offspring are receiving a significant amount of the same genetic material. The risks at stake may be too high.
Consult a knowledgeable breeder who is willing to serve as your mentor if inbreeding is something you’re thinking about doing seriously. In general, you should carefully investigate at least three generations back before considering this practice to see if there is a history of health issues or undesirable traits.
Therefore, inbreeding should only be done if the breeder can confirm that both dogs are completely healthy, are ideal examples of the breed, and have no history of passing recessive (hidden) traits down through successive generations. Inbreeding can only be taken into account after that, but keep in mind that even in their expert hands, there may be risks involved.
It might be safer to breed two healthy, unrelated dogs if you don’t have a mentor but are determined to breed rather than risking having puppies with genetic defects, compromised immune systems, and a whole host of other potential health issues.
Puppies are already susceptible to a wide range of diseases. After birth, their immune system naturally deteriorates, which could cause issues with infections and bacteria.
The strongest justification for inbreeding is the possibility of producing offspring with predictable characteristics. That’s why it’s such a common practice.
Some think that the problem is caused by inbreeding depression and the persistence of behavioral disorders that are genetically linked.
For the most part, inbreeding is legal. Some jurisdictions in the world consider it unlawful. However, as long as there is no animal cruelty present, it usually is not a problem.
These dogs often suffer from complications their entire life. A straightforward cold could develop into a serious issue.
What is the most inbred dog?
The Norwegian Lundehund has the highest level of inbreeding by a wide margin (more than 80%). This breed experiences extremely low fertility, a high puppy mortality rate, as well as gastrointestinal conditions that are frequently fatal.
FAQ
What would happen if you breed a brother and sister dog?
There is a high likelihood that female dogs who have been impregnated by their brother will not give birth to healthy pups. Although they might have a trouble-free birth, inbreeding typically causes spontaneous miscarriages and uterine complications. With incestuous pregnancies, the hormones frequently become out of balance.
Can brother and sister dogs have normal puppies?
Yes, brother and sister dogs can have puppies. Inbreeding is a common practice among several professional breeders. It has some advantages, such as preserving a specific breed with the same physical characteristics. However, it is typically discouraged because of things like decreased fertility in the next generation.