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InBreeding
The growth of the Labradoodle and Australian Labradoodle opens an unprecedented opportunity; to guide the
development of a breed based on current understanding of health, genetics, and family needs.
Past breeding practices offered no DNA testing, little understanding of Hip Dysplasia, recessive inherited
alleles and like health issues. Pedigrees were built purely on physical appearance, name recognition and the desire
to win in the conformation ring. Current knowledge REQUIRES us to address these issues and act accordingly to preserve
and establish the Labradoodle and Australian Labradoodle breed with integrity.
The ALAA does NOT allow inbreeding, the breeding of closely related breeding dogs, (within 4 generations)
OR the use of a Dam or Stud from this type of breeding. ie breeding siblings, half
siblings, parents, and/or grandparents to one or another. A breeder member must make sure before buying, leasing, or outside
studding that the Dam or Stud has not been in-bred as defined above. No ALAA member may use a Dam or Stud that is a product of
inbreeding within their program or from a non-members program. ALAA breeders see the breeders only webpage for an example.
Line breeding is a form of inbreeding; however line breeding
is the breeding of distant ancestors. Although the ALAA does not ban the practice of line breeding there are
considerations to be made when considering this practice.
Many breeders still cling to the idea that inbreeding is the only route to success, and that they can use it
as a tool to identify and weed out genetic problems in their line. The concept that outstanding animals can be produced
by inbreeding -- by doubling up on the good alleles while somehow avoiding the bad, is just not possible. Studies on a
wide variety of species have demonstrated that highly inbred individuals frequently live shorter lives and have fewer
progeny. This is called inbreeding depression.
Inbreeding depression results, in part, from the bringing together of deleterious recessive alleles inherited
via both parents from a common ancestor. In humans, where genetic diseases of this type are relatively rare, the
frequency of affected individuals is often higher in small populations that are culturally or geographically isolated.
In dogs, man has created similar isolated populations by restricting genetic exchange between pure breeds. However,
given a sufficiently large and diverse group of founding dogs, there is no reason why the average purebred should not
lead a long, healthy life - if responsibly bred.
Linebreeding can also focus on one ancestor who is considered exceptional. Particularly if it is a male, this
exceptional ancestor may end up as grandfather and great great-grandfather -- sometimes more than twice -- in the same
pedigree. The result is a disproportionate number of genes coming from a single ancestor. Beyond the conventional
close-relative inbreeding, this is another practice that has much the same effect as inbreeding, namely the popular
sire phenomenon (generally over-use of a well-promoted champion). In fact, many who breed to such a dog believe they
are doing a "good thing," as they will be increasing the frequency of occurrence of the genes that made him a champion.
What they may not realize is that they are increasing the frequency of all genes carried by this animal -- whether they
are good, bad, or innocuous -- and that champions, like any other animal, carry a number of undesirable recessive
alleles that are masked by wild-type alleles. The result of the popular sire phenomenon is that almost all members of
the breed will carry a little bit of the sire, and any undesirable trait carried by the sire will no longer be rare.
Finding a safe, unrelated mate then becomes an exercise in futility.
Sometimes two different alleles may be better than one. Consider the major histocompatibility complex (MHC).
These genes are responsible for distinguishing "self" from "foreign", and a heterozygous individual can recognize more
possibilities than a homozygous one. Having a variety of MHC alleles is even more important to population survival. Not
only does this provide better defense against pathogens, but there is growing evidence that parents who carry different
MHC haplotypes may have fewer fertility problems. Today one is hard pressed to find a conservation or zoo biologist
concerned with preserving an endangered species who would not list maintaining maximum genetic diversity as one of
his/her primary goals.
In recent years, purebred dogs have experienced increasing problems with hereditary diseases and defects.
The causes are complex, including the number of undesirable recessive alleles, the presence of lethal equivalents
in all individuals, genetic bottlenecks, closed gene pools, gene pool fragmentation, and genetic drift, but all are
attributable to inbreeding. For more detailed information on these issues click for the Canine Diversity Project.
"Inbreeding was once a valuable tool in shaping today’s breeds. As these have now reached a high degree of
homogeneity, it has lost its importance and turned into a fatal and disastrous habit." Hellmuth Wachtel, PhD
Statement from the ALAA veterinarian breeding specialist consultant:
Inbreeding should NOT be considered during the development of the Labradoodle or Australian Labradoodle
due to the fact that inbreeding and line breeding can magnify defects by concentrating the factors which determine
both phenotype and genotype. All breeders must study pedigrees and do extensive health screening before breeding any
dog. Current DNA testing does not include enough factors to introduce inbreeding with confidence.
Sincerely, Dr. Arun Summit Boulevard Animal Hospital Laser Surgery & Pet Dental Center, Florida Animal Reproductive Center
& Frozen Semen Bank
All of the following ALAA Code of Ethics and Rules and Requirements apply to inbreeding as well as other health issues
Listed under Breeder Accreditation and Quality Program
- A breeder must register all bred litters. Although all litters must be submitted, some litters will not be registered due to an ethics conflict. These litters include, but are not limited to, litters of dogs bred under the age of 1 year or over the age of six, and litters in which the breeder has disregarded health and genetic standards by implementing or allowing inbreeding and/or permitting two dogs to breed knowing health issues of the cross may result.
- A breeder must conduct his breeding program in accordance with the ALAA’s "Standards of Excellence in Breeding Practices."
- Infractions to the Accreditation and Quality Program, Standards of Excellence in Breeding Practices and/or Code of Ethics should be reported to the IALA/ALAA Quality Assurance Officer by the member immediately following the possible infraction with a formal request for assistance, response and action. This immediate request will be reviewed, and the IALA/ALAA response to the infraction may result in deactivation, suspension, fine and/or probation.
Listed under Standards of Excellence in Breeding Practices
- Understand the health concerns specific to the Labradoodle and/or Australian Labradoodle breed
- Be considered an expert in breeding practices by studying breeding in general and Labradoodle and/or Australian Labradoodle breeding in particular. A breeder must implement the lessons in their breeding program and stay current at all times.
- (If buying or selling a dog of inbreeding) A breeder selling breeding dogs agrees to:
- Select breeding puppies with care for temperament, health, coat and conformation
- Make certain buyer understands and follows ethical breeding practices.
ALAA Code of Ethics In consideration of the ALAA electing me/us to its Accredited Breeders membership under the ALAA Sister Association group, and approval of that renewal, I pledge to the ALAA, that:
- I shall breed with the soundness of the Labradoodle or Australian Labradoodle in mind...
Listed under Disciplinary Penalties
- Understand the negative health impacts of inbreeding and line breeding at this stage in the development of the breed and take all precautions against the practice. ---Class D
- Class D, C or B penalties are dependent on number and severity of offence, chronic problems will be handled with higher penalties
Note: Excerpts and some general information obtained from the Canine Diversity Project, John Armstrong
The IALA/ALAA is a not for profit association dedicated to the Australian Labradoodle and Labradoodle breeds. Our health information is written in
association and/or in conjunction with the following resource(s), veterinarian(s) and association(s). As the ALAA is dedicated to informing our member
breeders as to the latest advances in health care, health testing and diagnostic medicines and not marketing an individual breeders program we are able
to aid our breeders in understanding these methods and to develop breeding strategies which in turn produce the highest quality puppies. To gain more
information on the programs, health testing and breeding strategies the ALAA has written, please ask our consults and current recourses:
Dr. Arun, Veterinarian Breeding Specialist, Summit Blvd Animal Hospital (ALAA consultant),
Dr. Dodds and
Hemopet (ALAA assisting in Dr. Dodds Addisons Research and using Hemopet/Dr. Dodds Thyroid Testing with personal assistance of Dr. Dodds),
OFA (Hip, Elbow, Patella and using recommended Thyroid and PRA prcd testing methods),
Dr. Kent Wallace, DVM, MSc, DACVR (OFA Certified Radiologist with the highly regarded Veterinary Multi-Imaging Group),
PennHIP, (hip testing)
BVA (Hip testing),
UCDavis (Addisons Research Initiative, ALAA is participating, genetic kit can be ordered via ALAA Heath Committee /UCDavis),
Dental Vet (Underbite and Orthodontics), and
Vet Dentistry ,
Optigen (PRA prcd) and
Articles,
CERF Canine Eye Registry Foundation
Antech Thyroid Testing and Addisons Research and
Update on Antech Thyroid Testing
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Australian Labradoodle Association of America, Inc.