Page 43 - 2nd Quarter 2018

B Y PERI N ORMAN

APPROACHING

HEALTH

DIFFERENTLY

Source: Norman, Peri. THE CANINE CHRONICLE “Preservation Breeders: Approaching Health Differently.” February 2018 Vol 43 No 2. www.caninechronicle.com.
concept of preservation breeders in the canine In the past few years, breeders are beginning to adopt the label
The world is relatively new in contrast to wildlife con- of preservation breeder or heritage breeder in response to changes
in the way our society values dogs from varying sources. Often
servation and breeding of heritage livestock. Since
the completion of genome mapping for both hu- purebred dogs come out on the short end of the stick in the mind
mans and dogs within the first five years of this century, a veritable of John Q. Public. This perception is based on advertising cam-
tidal wave of information has become available based on the ge- paigns designed to promote random-bred dogs and studies that
netic research made possible by this achievement. This has facili- show purebred dogs as “less healthy” based on various measures.
tated a more nuanced way to look at diseases and their treatment, We all know that putting a new name on an old picture doesn’t
and the interplay between genetics and environmental influences. change it. A rose is still a rose and lipstick doesn’t change the pig.
The question that presents itself is how to effectively utilize this It is important that as breeders we are able to define preservation
tsunami of new information to improve the lives of our canine com- breeding in some concrete ways and be able to articulate that in-
panions. A breeder who recognizes and embraces the golden op- formation to all the stakeholders. One of the crucial differences be-
portunity being presented by ongoing genetic research to breed tween a preservation breeder and a responsible breeder revolves
healthier dogs can be considered a true preservation breeder. around the new tools we have to assess the status of the gene pools
Since the heyday of pet overpopulation in the 1970s, a subset of of our breeds and a preservation breeder’s determination to use that
purebred dog breeders has defined themselves as responsible information to improve diversity and health in the entire population
breeders. They are also sometimes called hobby breeders. Respon- of their chosen breed.
sible breeders are most often purebred dog breeders and competi- The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals had its beginnings
tors in various dog sports. However, breeders of purpose-bred dogs rooted in a coalition of the German Shepherd Dog Club of Amer-
can be responsible as well. Reduced to its most concise definition, ica, the Golden Retriever Club of America, and concerned individ-
a responsible dog breeder is one who strives to breed healthy, so- uals including exhibitors, breeders and veterinarians mobilized by
cially well-adjusted dogs and who always takes their dogs back John M. Olin, a philanthropist, inventor and field trial enthusiast.
should the owner be unable or unwilling to provide a suitable home This momentous occasion ushered in a long era of phenotypical
for them. screening (x-rays and eye exams are examples of phenotypic

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