New Study Confirms That Most Dog Breeds Are Highly Inbred

Inbreeding is sometimes used to develop traits unique to certain dog breeds, such as the dalmatian’s distinguishing markings or the dachshund’s stubby legs.

However, a new study indicates that most breeds are now heavily inbred, raising a dog’s risk of health problems.

Danika Bannasch, the study’s leader, stated, “It’s amazing how inbreeding appears to matter to health.”

Her genomic research of 227 breeds revealed a 25% average inbreeding rate. That’s the same as having a full sibling with whom you share genetic DNA. That amount is significantly higher than what is considered safe for wild animals or people.

According to Bannasch, the cause of why some breeds of dogs are more inbred than others is a mix of a small original population followed by breeding for specific features, which are generally oriented on looks rather than function.

While she doesn’t believe there is a solution out of inbred breeds, she does think there are ways to maintain a breed’s genetic variation and wellness. This includes breeder awareness and tracking of inbreeding levels and careful management to prevent loss of existing genetic variation.

Bannasch underlined the importance of maintaining genetic variation in the few breeds with low levels of inbreeding.

The finding of this study can be found at Canine Medicine and Genetics.