DOG BREEDS

DOG BREEDS.

The term breed refers to dog types or land-race of a dog (also called natural breed  or ancient breed). Dog breeds are groups of closely related and visibly similar domestic dogs, which are all of the subspecies  having characteristic traits that are selected and maintained by humans, bred from a known foundation stock. The term dog breed is also used to refer to natural breeds or 

land-races, which arose through time in response to a particular environment that included humans, with little or no selective breeding by humans. Such breeds are undocumented, and are identified by their appearance and often by a style of working. Ancient dog breeds are some of the modern (documented) descendants of such natural breed.

PUREBRED DOG.

If your choice is on a purebred dog to adopt over a mixed breed dog, make that move after an in-depth study on a balanced view on the advantages and disadvantages of a purebred dog, and then make the decision.

ADVANTAGES OF A PUREBRED DOG.

Purebred dogs have ‘many’ traits that are foreseeable.

Each breed has its own unique set of genes that distinguishes it from

every other breed.

These genes produce the ‘wanted’ traits for that breed, including size, coat, colour, shape, head etc. And since each breed was developed for a different reason like guarding, hunting, herding, the traits that are ‘wanted’ are different for each other.

Traits are carried on genes, so within each breed, all the genes with the wanted traits gets spread throughout the gene-pool of that particular breed.

TEMPERAMENT

Purebred dogs have some temperament behaviour traits that are anticipated, so if you need an energetic dog you can choose a breed whose genes inherits high energy.

However, temperament can also be based on a dog’s environment.

DISADVANTAGES.

Many people get purebred dogs but their predictable genes might not suit you and work against your choice.

Suppose you choose a Golden Retriever, you will need to accept his heavy shedding, his powerful body could knock over small children or an elderly person. His enthusiastic tail might send a few lowly kept breakables flying.

You have to research the breed on their shedding, brushing, trimming, clipping etc. Do your homework before you choose the breed.

PREDICTABILITY.

A purebred puppy can grow to be different than what you expected as some purebred dogs do not conform to the norm of their breed.

PUREBRED DOGS CAN BE A GOOD CHOICE:

1… If you know which characteristics you want in a dog.

2…If you acquire your dog from someone who is doing all the right things to produce good tempered healthy family pets.

3…If there is a breed that ‘has’ all the characteristics you want, (which is highly unlikely) compromise is almost always required when choosing a dog breed.

4…If you are willing to accept the greater potential for genetic health problems (much worse in some breeds than in others)

5…If you are willing to pay a high price for a puppy, or else adopt an adult dog through an animal shelter or a rescue group.

HEALTH PROBLEMS OF PUREBRED DOGS.

1.      Crippling bone and joint disorder.

2.      Cancer – the number one killer of many breeds.

3.      Eye disease that causes reduced sight or total blindness.

4.      Blood clotting disease.

5.      Heart disease that drastically shortens a dog’s life.

6.      Kidney and liver disease.

7.      Seizure disorder such as epilepsy.

8.      Skin disease that causes frantic itching.

9.      Digestive disorder that cause chronic diarrhoea and vomiting.

10.  Hormonal and endocrine system disease like Diabetes and Hypothyroidism.

You’re probably shocked by that long list of health problems.

Over 500 genetic health problems occur in dogs and I mean all kinds of dogs, purebred, crossbred, and mixed-bred. But the risk of health problems occurring in purebred dogs is higher than in cross and mixed breed.

  

                                                                PEDIGREE DOGS. 

A pedigree dog is the offspring of two dogs of the same breed.

A debate has been raging in Britain on Pedigree dogs like the English Bulldog, Pug, Boston Terrier just to name three who suffer an array of health problems. 

In Sweden a new attack on pedigree dog has started that not only are they unhealthy but are also stupid. It states dog bred for appearance especially for shows, may look attractive but they also link to introversion, boring personality with unhealthy life.

The reason for this is most dog breeding is a hobby of dog lovers and commercial breeders who rather than adopting safer activity, do not address the quality of their life, health and welfare.

PEDIGREE DOG EXPOSED.

In Britain there are about seven million dogs of 200 different breed.

Pedigree dog owners spend a whopping 10 million pounds “per week” on  veterinary expenses due to their genetic defects.

Watch this video, a research documentary on pedigree dogs.

  

                                                                  PARIAH DOGS.

The term ‘Pariah’ dog is not derogatory in the canine context and refers to a class of primitive dogs of a specific type. A generic term earlier used for any stray of feral dog.

It is also called ‘Indian Native Dog’ or also referred to as ‘INDog.

Other names include Pye-dog, Pie-dog or Pi-dog and some parts of the world as ‘Mutts’.

Recently at Cornell University’s ‘Village Dog Genetic Diversity Project’

reveals Indian Dogs including INDogs, are genetically highly distinct from dog populations in other countries sampled by them.

GENES.

Since these dogs have never been selectively bred, their appearance, physical features and mental characteristics remain almost identical.

CHARACTER.

It is an extremely alert and a very social dog. They are mostly found with aboriginal, tribal or farming and village communities, they are extremely cautious and courageous as their rural inhabitant is often close to forest and wild predators.

They make excellent watch dogs and are very territorial and defencive. If given a good socialising as pups they are the best companions with families and children.

They are highly intelligent and can be trained easily.

They are modest eaters and rarely overeat. They are an active breed and flourish with exercise and long walks.

They bark at the slightest doubt or provocation and could be noisy. They can be uncomfortable around strangers and can get defensive.

HEALTH.

They have very few health problems and develop well with minimal maintenance.

Their skin needs very little grooming and are themselves relatively clean. They have no body odour. They have no genetic health ailments as they are naturally evolved and all their flaws are bred out as only the fittest survive.

As they are a healthy breed, with good care an average life expectancy is sometimes over 15 years.

Unlike modern breeds, pariah dogs including INDogs breed only once a year. The bitches come into season around July to October and the pups are born from October to December.

INDogs are  found throughout Indian Subcontinent and are often kept as pets in remote villages. Many in cities are ownerless scavengers.

However the ones in large cities and towns are no longer pure original INDogs but are often cross with modern breeds.

This page was published to give an insight to all on the contrast between a purebred dog

and a humble pie-dog. The choice is yours.