Dog breeders and dog buyers may find genetic as an intimidating and confusing topic. Break those common misconceptions about genetics and English bulldog breeding as we offer basic concepts of breeding. An average person should know how to dispel myths in breeding and owning purebred dogs. Here are few myths and why they should remain as myths.
Myths
Myths 1: Purebreds are “weaker” than mutts.
A mixed-breed dog is also called mutt, mongrel, tyke, cur, bitzer, feist or random-bred dog. Mongrels exhibit more genetic faults and inherited disease traits than any breed. Statistics would show that this idea is a myth. This myth never seems to convince anybody most probably due to the combination of the following:
1. Crippled and sickly mutts are less likely to be counted as they are less likely to be among people.
2. It is profoundly true that Nature does a great job on keeping her children than a manipulative man would do. Nature doesn’t look after her children individually. Sickness, death and dying are normal regulators to separate out the numbers to an acceptable level. Nature has her own way of controlling the disease by letting afflicted individuals be born, suffer and die.
Myth 2: The best dog breeding is between an uncle and niece or aunt and nephew.
There is no single explanation to further justify the combination of breeding. Some people have gotten poor puppies while some luckily are raising nice and healthy puppies. Is it limited to uncle-niece or aunt-nephew combination? The answer is negative. As in any breeding, the quality of a dog is a priority when considering the type of dog breed. Unfortunately, there are no ready-made formulas for dog breeding.
Myth 3: Breeding a moody bitch will steady her temperament
When a bitch has a poor temperament, breeding is not going to help it improve. In fact, it will only increase the risk of producing more dogs with flighty temperaments.
Myth 4: Any dog carrying an undesirable gene should be neutered.
Every breeds of dog carries genes for undesirable traits including health problems. An average of three to five bad genes is carried by each dog. If this myth is true then all dogs should be neutered leaving no more dogs. The secret is to avoid doubling up on such genes when breeding. With increasing DNA tests being developed for different genes in different breeds, it will be increasingly possible. When dogs identified as carriers are bred only to dogs tested clear of the gene then the progeny should only be carriers and clears, not affected.
Myth 5: Repeat litters are never as good as the first ones.
People who believe this myth have this pseudo-scientific explanation behind it: “To avoid inbreeding in the population, nature makes sure the second litter isn’t as good.” How on nature make this possible? According to the theory, the eggs will only allow inferior sperm to fertilize them if the eggs recognize the sperm as coming from the same sire the bitch was bred to last time. Not unless the bitch is bred to a different stud in between, the offspring will only be sired by the inferior sperm. If humans follow this logic, all second-born children of humans would be e inferior unless the mother had been fooling around with another man!
To set facts straight, no mechanism has ever been identified by which an English bulldog or its eggs could recognize sperm from the same male or the last time she got pregnant. The eggs similarly don’t have any way to differentiate sperm carrying good dog-show traits versus bad dog-show traits. Although it is true that repeat breeding often aren’t as good enough as first breeding but that’s more likely due to statistical chance.
Breeders are most likely to do repeat breeding especially those extraordinary puppies. The extraordinary qualities of these puppies depended in part on the random shuffle of genes in the eggs and sperm. The chance of getting such a fortunate chance shuffle twice in a row is lower than the chance of getting an “average” shuffle. It is then expected that the litter quality will tend to regress toward the mean.
Myth 6: It costs too much to have my pet spayed or neutered.
The cost of spaying or neutering your pet will based on several factors namely sex, age, and size and vets fees. The cost, however, is a one time fee and is worth spending for when you take into consideration all the benefits it has to offer. You tend to pay more when paying for the care of your litter until they’re old enough to leave their own mother. It will provide you peace of mind as well over the health of your pet and avoid unwanted pregnancy and litters.
Myth 7: I don’t want my male dog to feel less of a male after neutered.
Pets aren’t endowed with the sense of sexuality or same ego that humans have. Neutering will not change anything on your pet’s outlook nor suffer any emotional distress about neutering.
Myth 8: My pet will get lazy and put on weight when he is neutered.
The weight gain of dogs isn’t directly caused by neutering. Laziness and excessive feedings may be some of the reasons behind the weight gain as well as lack of physical activity. Spraying or neutering doesn’t have an affect on their eating patterns or tendency of becoming lazy.
Myth 9: Its better for the female dog if she has a litter.
Medical evidence has pointed out that a female dog is in fact a healthier dog that is spayed before her first heat. Many veterinarians are now offering to sterilize kittens and puppies as young as eight weeks to help prevent unwanted litters later in life.
Myth 10: My children should experience the miracle of birth.
The fact that most dogs give birth in the very early hours of the morning and require privacy and seclusion during its sensitive time of giving birth are enough reasons not to let your children watch it.
By allowing your children to watch your dog giving birth is wrong in all aspects. Only a very irresponsible and inconsiderate dog owner would let an audience stand in presence before your dog.
Myth 11: My English bulldog is purebred it should be used for breeding.
It is quite unfortunate that 1 in every 4 unwanted purebred pets are brought to animal shelters. It’s not necessary to breed your dog upon knowing it is a purebred. The motive of breeding your dog should not be solely to establish a puppy mill. There are far too many unwanted and sickly animals including English bulldogs due to such activities of creating a “puppy factory“. Only an irresponsible owner would even consider breeding for this reason.
