Is Inbreeding Dogs Illegal?

The controversy around purebred dogs and inbreeding is a complex issue with arguments on both sides. While some champion purebreds for their predictability and historic value, critics argue that the narrow gene pools caused by closed stud books lead to severe health and temperament issues.

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: inbreeding dogs is legal in most places, though some jurisdictions have bans or restrictions on the practice.

In this comprehensive guide, we will analyze the rationale behind inbreeding dogs, look at associated health risks, review applicable legislation region-by-region, summarize the science on better breeding practices, and explore public opinion.

What is Dog Inbreeding and Why is it Controversial?

Definition of Inbreeding and Linebreeding in Dogs

Inbreeding refers to the mating of closely related dogs, such as between siblings or parent and offspring. It results in offspring that have similar DNA and genetics. Linebreeding specifically attempts to concentrate the genes of one ancestor through continued breeding of its descendants with each other.

The main motive behind inbreeding dogs over successive generations is to preserve and intensify desirable qualities and eliminate unwanted traits.

While sometimes done with good intent, inbreeding significantly raises health risks by increasing the chances that puppies inherit two copies of detrimental recessive genes. It can result in congenital diseases and conditions like heart defects, deafness, vision problems, and more.

Thus, tight inbreeding in dogs remains controversial today.

Narrowing the Gene Pool: How Closed Stud Books Limit Diversity

In the 1800s, kennel clubs closed stud books in various breeds to only register purebreds of that breed. This isolates breeds from one another and diminishes genetic diversity over time as only a finite founding population exists.

Experts estimate around 60% of breeds today face compromised genetic diversity, predisposing them to heightened health problems.

Outcrossing programs that introduce outside blood are sometimes used to tackle this but face challenges like breeder reluctance and finding compatible mates of another breed. Ultimately, the closed stud book system makes improving breed health through gene pool expansion an uphill battle.

The Intent Behind Inbreeding Dogs

Inbreeding’s original intent was to purify bloodlines and set various breeds apart from one another. Breeders inbreeding dogs believed it could amplify the best traits through selection. For example, magnifying hunting instincts in working dogs.

Linebreeding specifically intends to concentrate an eminent ancestor’s attributes in descendants. However, geneticists now caution that the practice often does more harm than good.

While some outcrossing efforts occur in certain breeds, many breeders still actively inbreed to maintain bloodline purity for dog shows and adhere to strict breed standards. But critics argue these aesthetic standards worsen genetic problems.

Though the motivations differ, sustained inbreeding in show, working, and mixed-breed dogs remains highly controversial given its risks.

Health and Welfare Issues Associated With Inbred Dogs

Physical Conditions Correlated With Low Genetic Diversity

Inbreeding, or the mating of closely related dogs, has been linked to increased rates of certain physical health conditions in some breeds. These issues arise from a reduction in overall genetic diversity, which allows recessive mutations to manifest phenotypically at higher frequencies.

• Vision and hearing problems – Certain breeds like the Dalmatian are predisposed to deafness, likely due to limited diversity in genes important for normal auditory system development.
• Heart defects – Some small toy breeds tend to have higher rates of genetic heart conditions due to founding bottleneck effects.
• Skin and hair abnormalities – Repeated inbreeding can concentrate alleles for conditions like seasonal flank alopecia, which causes cyclic coat changes and hair loss in several sporting breeds.
• Skeletal issues – Hip and elbow dysplasia, patellar luxation, and many skeletal abnormalities have increased prevalence in some popular breeds. These defects likely result from inbreeding amplifying polygenic mutations that subtly alter growth and development.

Importantly, outcrossing programs that introduce new genetic lineages into bottlenecked breeds may help alleviate some of these physical health conditions over time. However, vigilance is still required in monitoring mating pair relatedness.

Behavioral Issues in Some Breeds

In addition to physical health impacts, some studies have uncovered correlations between high inbreeding coefficients and certain behavioral issues in dogs.

• Fearfulness – Increased anxiety and reactivity to stimuli is seen at modestly higher rates in inbred dogs according to some analyses. However, environment likely also plays a major role.
• Aggression issues – Certain breeds like the English Cocker Spaniel demonstrate inbreeding links to aggressive responses. These likely involve complex polygenic temperament traits.
• Cognitive impacts – While subtle, some studies have found attention, trainability, and performance on cognitive tests to be mildly reduced with increasing homozygosity.

Such behavioral issues may arise in part from high homozygosity unmasking recessive neurological mutations. However, variability within breeds is high, and outcrossing could potentially mitigate impacts over generations.

Shortened Lifespans

One of the clearest correlates of high inbreeding is mildly shortened lifespans in dogs. One expansive study found that the most inbred individuals had lifespans reduced by ~1 year on average compared to outbred dogs, even after controlling for body size differences between breeds.

The precise causes likely involve increased homozygosity subtly reducing overall fitness and the ability to cope with aging. Maintaining breed diversity and avoiding highly consanguineous matings may therefore help maximize lifespan potential.

Laws and Regulations on Inbreeding Dogs

Europe

Many European countries have laws prohibiting the inbreeding of dogs to an extent. For example, in Sweden, dog breeding is regulated under the Animal Welfare Act, which states that animals used for breeding should be suitably constructed and have no hereditary defects that could cause suffering.

This effectively prohibits close inbreeding.

The United Kingdom’s Kennel Club prohibits mating between first degree relatives (parent-offspring, full siblings). Some other registries like the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) recommend avoiding mating between half siblings.

However, enforcement of breeding regulations is not very strict in most European countries.

North America

In the United States and Canada, there are no nationwide laws regulating dog inbreeding. A few states, such as New York, have laws requiring pet dealers to maintain health and breeding records. But in general, inbreeding is not regulated unless it involves cruelty or impacts animal health.

The American Kennel Club prohibits registration of any dogs born from father-daughter, mother-son or full sibling matings, unless special permission is granted. But such limitations are voluntary policies rather than legal mandates. Monitoring and enforcement against inbreeding are minimal.

Asia and Australia

Many Asian and Pacific countries like India, New Zealand and Taiwan have enacted animal welfare laws that include some provisions related to dog breeding. For example, Taiwan’s Animal Protection Act prohibits breeding animals with genetic diseases.

Australia’s state laws require breeding organizations to develop codes of practice that include policies on avoiding mating between close relatives.

However, legal oversight of dog inbreeding itself is still limited in Asia and Australia. Breeding practices are governed predominantly by kennel clubs and breeder associations rather than national laws.

Bans on Extreme Physical Traits

Some jurisdictions have banned the breeding of dogs with extreme physical traits, which sometimes stems from intensive inbreeding. For example, nine European countries have banned breeding of brachycephalic (flat-faced) dogs like French Bulldogs and Pugs, due to their breathing problems and high risk of eye diseases.

The Netherlands ban breeding of dogs with excessively short legs, like Dachshunds and Corgis, which can cause mobility issues.

While such bans help address issues arising from selective breeding and inbreeding, they target specific physical traits rather than inbreeding itself. Broad regulations or limitations on dog inbreeding practices are still uncommon worldwide.

Better Practices: Expanding Genetic Diversity

Outcrossing Programs

Outcrossing refers to the practice of breeding dogs from different lines or breeds in order to increase genetic diversity and reduce the risks associated with inbreeding (AKC). Many kennel clubs and breeders have established outcrossing programs to carefully introduce new founding dogs.

For example, Dalmatian breeders outcrossed with Pointers in the early 2000s to eliminate a genetic mutation causing urinary stones (PBS). When done responsibly over multiple generations, outcrossing can effectively expand the gene pool.

Introducing New Founders

Another method for increasing diversity is to introduce completely new founding dogs from unrelated lines into the breeding population. In 2013, the Norwegian Lundehund Club of America began searching globally for new Lundehund specimens to outcross after their population dwindled to less than 50 dogs in the 1990s (DogWellNet).

Over a dozen new dogs from remote Norwegian villages were introduced. While the process can take over a decade, adding new founders from isolated related breeds can be vital for restoring diversity.

Opening Stud Books With Caution

Breed clubs maintain “stud books” tracking pedigree lineage that are usually closed to outside dogs. However, the Institute of Canine Biology has advocated for carefully reopening stud books by bringing in working dogs from the country of origin that meet the performance standards but not “purebred” paperwork requirements (ICB).

For example, herding collies could integrate excellent working farm dogs from Britain that lack formal pedigrees. Such infusions of “new blood” into overwritten breed lines can improve health, but must be approached cautiously with genetic testing and monitoring to avoid inherited conditions.

Public Opinion on Purebred Dogs and Inbreeding

Inbreeding in purebred dogs has become a controversial topic in recent years. While breeders argue it is necessary to preserve desired physical and behavioral traits, others raise serious concerns about the health and welfare of dogs subject to this practice.

Public opinion on the acceptability of inbreeding dogs is decidedly mixed.

Growing Awareness of Health Risks

There is increasing public awareness that intensive inbreeding of purebred dogs has been linked to various inherited diseases and conditions. According to the American Kennel Club’s own research, the rate of hip dysplasia in purebred dogs is around 15-40%, much higher than in mixed breed dogs.

Other common health issues in purebreds like breathing difficulties, joint problems, heart conditions and blood disorders have also been connected to closed gene pools and inbreeding.

As more prospective owners learn about these risks, they are reconsidering buying purebred puppies from breeders who actively inbreed dogs. There is growing sentiment that the emphasis on achieving breed standards in looks and behavior should not come at the expense of the dogs’ health and quality of life.

Ethical Concerns About Breeding Practices

Another issue making headlines is the appalling cruelty found at some unscrupulous dog breeding facilities, commonly described as “puppy mills.” An ASPCA study on substandard breeders found many dogs confined to overcrowded and unsanitary cages without adequate veterinary care, food, water or socialization.

There was also evidence of inhumane euthanasia methods.

While intensified public scrutiny has led to closer regulation of commercial breeders in many areas, inbreeding dogs persists. But there are signs of gradually shifting attitudes – according to a 2019 survey by the Human Society, 74% of potential dog owners said they would consider adopting a mixed breed dog from a shelter, rather than buying a purebred.

Calls to Outlaw Extreme Inbreeding Practices

A number of animal welfare charities and veterinary associations have called for legislation strictly limiting the degree of allowed inbreeding to protect dog health. There have also been demands for better oversight and transparency from kennel clubs and breeders around their policies and pedigrees.

While concrete legal changes have so far been limited, the increased advocacy does signal evolving public views on acceptable breeding ethics.

On the other hand, breeders argue that meticulous management of rare breeds would be difficult without closely planned dog inbreeding. Maintaining heritage traits and healthy bloodlines requires some linebreeding, even if extremes like father-daughter matings might be indefensible.

As this debate continues, what is certain is that public awareness and scrutiny of standard breeding practices is growing sharper.

Conclusion

While inbreeding enables breeders to refine and set physical and behavioral type, scientific evidence clearly shows narrow gene pools lead to poorer health and shorter lives. As public opinion shifts, kennel clubs may open stud books and revise breeding standards that reward extreme traits.

The path forward lies in carefully expanding genetic diversity while preserving breed identity. Instead of bans, collaborative education and incentives for ethical outcrossing better serve the welfare of dogs.