Did the AKC ok 1st generation inbreeding?

[OntheBRINKofDisaster]

I heard this recently but couldnt find any info really online. Does anyone know if this is true?

[Helly]

As far as I know, first generation inbreeding has always been allowed. Before we had DNA testing, it was one of the few tools a breeder had to uncover hidden recessive genes. It's also one way to set certain traits in your lines, or to develop lines for outcrossing. It isn't the evil that everyone seems to think it is.

[borzoimom]

Unless I'm mistaken, AKC does not regulate breeding decisions. In-breeding, line-breeding, or outcrossing, AKC lets the breeders make those decisions. I do know of a breeder whose dogs (brother and sister) accidently bred. She had no problem registering the litter. A breed's parent club, may have opinions on in-breeding, but again, I don't know of any that forbid it. AKC is a fancier's group not a legislative body.

[Doubledogdare]

I believe the English and other EU kennel clubs have, or have been talking about, banning inbreeding. But I haven't heard anything about the AKC doing so.

[SwissNChow]

AKC is only a pedigree database and registering body. AKC does not regulate what you do or do not breed. They only register purebred litters out of dogs that are AKC registered with a few exceptions for importing dogs/semen. AKC does not claim to know what is best for breeding programs or for individual breeds and stands by the individuals right to make their own decisions.

[OntheBRINKofDisaster]

Ok, thanks!

[Helly]

I believe the English and other EU kennel clubs have, or have been talking about, banning inbreeding. But I haven't heard anything about the AKC doing so.

Anyone who's really studied breeding and knows how it's done realizes that such decisions are not in the best interest of purebred dogs.

Much discussion has taken place about restricted gene pools, which can have a detrimental effect, but most of it takes place without the understanding of why inbreeding is a valuable tool.

Inbreeding may reveal genetic disorders, but it does not cause them. If the genes are not there for, let's say Legg/Calve?Perthes Disease, inbreeding isn't going to put them there. And outcrossing won't make them go away, all it does is hide them for a little while longer.

In the past the only tool breeders really had to identify potential carriers of genetic disorders was to double up on the genetic material, and see what happened. That meant inbreeding.
Even now, when we have DNA testing, there isn't a DNA test for everything...yet. So it's sometimes still the only way to identify animals that carry defective genes.

Inbreeding is also a way of developing a line with the specific intent to outcross with another line. It's complicated, but it works to everyone's advantage when done properly.

[SwissNChow]

Helly, well said!

[Fast Ellie]

Helly's right on this subject. I've done out crossing, line breeding and inbreeding when I was still active with my poodles.