Page 107 - The Pembroke & Cardigan Welsh Corgi Worldwide Magazine

The Excessive Use of Genetic Testing in Canine Breeding:
A Double-Edged Sword

from that perspective:
Canine breeding has seen significant
advancements in recent decades, with the
development of genetic tests that can help
identify and prevent hereditary diseases in dog
breeds. However, this technological advance is
not without challenges and concerns, and the
excessive use of genetic testing raises several
issues that deserve careful attention.

Costs and Accessibility:

Excessive use of genetic testing can significantly
increase the costs of breeding a purebred dog.
This can make purebred dogs unaffordable for
people who want quality pets. Additionally, it
can put pressure on breeders to recoup their
investments by selling puppies at higher prices.
This, in itself, is not the main problem, but the
cost also impacts how the breeder's role is
perceived by the non-professional public. It
might even create a counterproductive effect
by increasing the visibility of diseases. It might
seem like a breed is very unhealthy if so many
tests are needed to rule out diseases, and people
might opt for mixed-breed dogs, believing they
are healthier and longer-lived than well-bred
ones. Secondary to this, it encourages the myth
that mixed-breed dogs are healthier and longer-
lived than well-bred ones.

becomes a puddle.

Reduction of Genetic Diversity: Overemphasizing Genetics at the
Expense of Other Factors:
When breeders focus on eliminating potentially
problematic genetic variants, they can limit Genetics are an important part of a dog's health,
genetic diversity in a breed. This can lead to a but they are not the only factor. Excessive focus
"genetic bottleneck," reducing the breed's ability on genetic testing can lead to neglect of other
to adapt to environmental changes or combat aspects of a dog's health, such as diet, exercise,
new disease threats. It's a case of creating a management, and general veterinary care.
bigger problem by trying to eliminate a smaller What's worse, if we focus solely on health, we
one, by the book. If only animals free of any kind risk losing the breed's typical characteristics.
of genetic probability of having a disease are Prioritizing health over breed type would lead to
allowed to breed, we lose valuable information the disappearance of the breed. There are many
by excluding the majority. The genetic pool examples in other breeds that have suffered

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