Any experienced
breeder in your particular breed should be able to help you evaluate your bitch honestly and without the rosy glow of love changing your perspective.
Keeping a breed pure results in a very small genetic pool to choose from, and this can lead to a higher rate of certain health
issues in particular breeds.
In the meantime, when dog owners are considering adopting a certain breed of dog, they should consult a veterinarian to discuss what diseases are
prevalent in that particular breed.
If you are
interested in a particular breed, your animal shelter can help you locate a breed specific adoption group that will match you with the type of dog you want.
In addition, knowing what dog illnesses are
common in particular breeds can help you and your vet determine what a particular illness might be.
They also specialize
in a particular breed of animal, like equine medicine or exotics or in a medical specialty, like ophthalmology, oncology, pathology or dermatology.
If you know someone who has relinquished a purebred puppy of the breed that you are considering for a fraction of the cost that they paid for it or for free, you need to ask them some serious and pointed questions before deciding to
invest in that particular breed of puppy.
Conscientious breeders are active across the
board in their particular breed — this helps them to keep up to date on health issues and other concerns, and keeps them in touch with their breed's entire community.
To be more specific, cases of hemangiosarcoma, osteosarcoma, fibrosarcoma, and malignant histiocystosis commonly occur at higher
levels in this particular breed.
A reputable breeder should be able to tell you what kinds of problems might be
present in the particular breed (for example, Deafness, hip dysplasia, entropian, thyroid problems, etc) and what kind of testing is available to find it.
A number of genetic disorders plague the cat fancy; some occur most
often in particular breeds while others can affect cats of any breed.
Like ear cropping, tail docking
developed in particular breeds for particular purposes and is facing challenges based on outdated and misleading information.
Breeders may also breed dogs for profit, for show, because of an
interest in a particular breed, or to correct some issue and improve the soundness of a breed.
Once obtained, test results can be shared with your veterinarian to help get a better picture of your dog's ideal size and weight and any potential health problems commonly
seen in particular breeds.
Control of Genetic Disease by Dr. George A. Padgett, DVM (Veterinary Pathologist at Michigan State University with special interest in canine genetics and what role breed clubs play in the control of the genetic
diseases in their particular breed).
Since it is most
common in these particular breeds of dogs there is likely a genetic factor that contributes to the development of the cancer, although the exact link or marker is not known.
Some are most commonly seen in old dogs, others in females, others in males and
some in particular breeds depending on different circumstances.
While I thoroughly understand and accept the beliefs of those who feel it is wrong to breed anything «less than perfect»
in any particular breed, and if you aren't showing your dogs, then you have no right to breed them, I have a few things to say to those of you who take this stand.
If you want a specific breed of dog, you can find nearly any breed at a breed - specific rescue, or find a responsible breeder that specializes
in that particular breed (and will not sell a puppy to you without meeting you first).
Access to our Wanted list, where visitors can place notices that they are interested
in a particular breed and would like to be contacted
Some trainers even specialize
in a particular breed.
And, if you are interested
in a particular breed, you may also find there are specialist rehoming charities, for example that deal with Labradors or German Shepherds.
Over the course of many years, we have gathered and relied on only the best private professional certified USDA licensed breeders and facilities, especially those that specialize
in a particular breed or size, to find puppies for American Dog Club.
Some specialize
in a particular breed.
PLEASE adopt a companion animal from your local shelter, humane society, rescue organization (some specialize
in a particular breed) or veterinarian.