Veterinarian Speaks Out on PETA and Westminister

[Rerun]

Just posted this because there is a lot of people out there that mistakenly believe that mixed breed dogs are generally healthier than purebreds...

... and this is totally untrue.

http://www.americanshihtzuclub.org/v...a_westminister

“Adorable mixed breeds” get cancer, epilepsy, allergies, heart disease, and orthopedic problems just like purebreds. I see it every day in my veterinary practice but mixed breed dogs aren’t tracked like the purebreds so they have a reputation as “healthier” that is actually undeserved in many cases. “ It is so sad that a lot of folks, including young veterinarians these days, buy into the “hybrid vigor” baloney. The vet schools have been infiltrated by the Animal Rights Extremists, who are teaching them this junk science in order to push their agenda. All animals have a certain amount of genetic load, which is to say there is absolutely no animal without some genetic problem of some sort of another.

Every single individual of every single species has at least a few genetic conditions. To use PeTA’s logic, all breeding of all kinds (including having human babies) should halt immediately. And to be honest, Ingrid Newkirk (the woman who founded PeTA) does believe exactly that. She thinks that humans should become extinct, along with dogs, cats, etc. This ridiculous scenario is precisely what she would like to see happen. So folks, if that is what you want...if you agree with Ingrid Newkirk’s whacky views, send your hard earned money to PeTA.

[Russic]

Interesting. Did not know that.

[J epworth]

If you read February's issue of National Geographic, they go into this issue, showing that physical differences between breeds of dogs are regulated by a surprisingly low number of genes. In general, all breeds of dogs have incredibly similar genes, moreso than any other species. This is due to the 10,000 years of domestication, not because of 200 years of selective breeding.

Simply put, a pure bred dog and a mutt only differ on the tiniest number of activated genes. Selective breeding and natural breeding for dogs leads to essentially the same genetic problems, because all dogs come from an incredibly small gene pool

[CaramonLS]

Originally Posted by Rerun

Just posted this because there is a lot of people out there that mistakenly believe that mixed breed dogs are generally healthier than purebreds...

... and this is totally untrue.

There isn't a single stat or figure that is made to support his conclusion.

Anecdotal evidence of "I see lots of dogs" is about as logically sound as a lot of CalgaryBorn's conclusions in Religious threads.

Maybe they should have interviewed a dog groomer instead, it would have been just as relevent as his opinion.

[troutman]

She thinks that humans should become extinct

Did she really ever say this?

Dogs That Changed the World
Selective Breeding Problems
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/episo...problems/1281/

Purebred Dogs Have Their Own Genes
http://www.genomenewsnetwork.org/art.../05/20/dog.php

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science...90023311002322

[TheyCallMeBruce]

Originally Posted by troutman

She thinks that humans should become extinct

Did she really ever say this?

Dogs That Changed the World
Selective Breeding Problems
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/episo...problems/1281/

Yes

http://rayharvey.org/index.php/tag/ingrid-newkirk/

“Mankind is a cancer; we’re the biggest blight on the face of the earth” (president of PETA and environmental activist Ingrid Newkirk).
“If you haven’t given voluntary human extinction much thought before, the idea of a world with no people in it may seem strange. But, if you give it a chance, I think you might agree that the extinction of Homo Sapiens would mean survival for millions, if not billions, of Earth-dwelling species…. Phasing out the human race will solve every problem on earth, social and environmental” (Ibid).

[Locke]

Bitch be crazy.

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by troutman

She thinks that humans should become extinct

Did she really ever say this?

Dogs That Changed the World
Selective Breeding Problems
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/episo...problems/1281/

Interesting article.. however if you read the comments below the article you'll find this :

Wyntrcrew says:
May 20, 2010 at 4:57 am
As a long time employee at a veterinary clinic, I have seen just as many or even more unhealthy mixed breed dogs as purebred, so the belief they are healthier is a myth. In purebred dogs it is just easier to predict specific problems due to their smaller gene pools. Mixed breeds also exhibit a much larger variety of health issues than is typically seen in purebred dogs.
In Padgett’s book, “Control of Canine Genetic Disease”, there is a list of dog breeds, including mixed and their identified problems. Mixed breeds top the list for number of problems with at least 220. The next highest on the list is poodles which have 145 problems and cockers 116. Still a high number, but still far fewer than mixed breeds. A great many mixes include crosses to poodles with one or more other breeds, so the risk for something going wrong in dogs with this sort of pedigree is even higher. More often than not, there’s no health testing or pedigree history and no breeder to consult, so mixed breeds may suffer longer or have to go through much more expensive testing to correctly identify their problem before they get adequate treatment
In spite of all the negative hype, inbreeding is only a problem when breeders fail to health test their dogs, research pedigrees and share important health information with one another. A truly ethical breeder is committed to their breed, is willing to openly discuss health issues in their breed and does all they can to provide healthy canine companions not only for the show ring, but as loving family companions.
One more note. The article talks about severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) in some breeds, but fails to mention that this problem has actually been eliminated in cardigan welsh corgis through the develoment of a DNA test and responsible breeding. PRA has also been nearly completely eliminated in cardigans through the same method and the newly available DNA test for DM (degenerative myelopathy, also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease in humans) will provide many responsible breeders with the means to eliminate this debilitating problem from their dogs over time.
Further, the research on these and other disorders, funded through organizations such as The Canine Health Fund will not only help dogs, but will also help to provide benefits for humans with similar health problems.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Locke

Bitch be crazy.

Probably, she is also correct though. The best thing that could happen to this planet is the extinction of mankind.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by Rerun

Interesting article.. however if you read the comments below the article you'll find this :

That is helpful, but more anecdotal evidence. What does science say?

[onetwo_threefour]

Ahhh... it's not often you get to see a real nihilist in such a high profile. I find it interesting that an international organization would take on a public face that would so clearly alienate them from anybody with an instinct for self-preservation. I'm not being facetious here, I really do find it interesting and wonder if it is just so disorganized a movement that nobody thinks about the consequences of something like this.

[coaster]

I had to laugh at who thanked post #3.

[missdpuck]

In moments of anger i've often thought the whole human race should be blown to bits.

In any case, I started studying birds as a hobby. Just generally speaking, it's interesting how many species wreak havoc on their own little worlds. Every one leaves a footprint.

[Handsome B. Wonderful]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Probably, she is also correct though. The best thing that could happen to this planet is the extinction of mankind.

[afc wimbledon]

Originally Posted by troutman

That is helpful, but more anecdotal evidence. What does science say?

Science says that if you are a lazy crappy breeder who breeds the same genetic stock together over and over again, mating male dogs to their own off spring as the bitches 'wear out' with over breeding you will cause problems.

Science also says it isnt a great idea to intensivly select and breed dogs in order to come up with a certain 'look' that is bound to cause a dog problems, German Shephards arn't supposed to have sloping back legs we breed them that way and now they have massively increased back leg problems.

Science says that yes, all dogs will potentially have some health issues, but that the application of breed standards increases the problems of some breeds and bad breeding practises are bad for all dogs.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Handsome B. Wonderful

Not saying I agree PETA's point of view but go ahead and explain to me how the planet would not benefit from the human race going extinct? You can't. I would love to see our race embrace the preservation of the planet but it isn't going to happen because mankind is more concerned with making a dollar and damn the consequences. Again, I am not advocating the extinction of my fellow man and she is looking at it the wrong way but her stance on the subject as far as the planet thriving is technically correct.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Not saying I agree PETA's point of view but go ahead and explain to me how the planet would not benefit from the human race going extinct? You can't. I would love to see our race embrace the preservation of the planet but it isn't going to happen because mankind is more concerned with making a dollar and damn the consequences. Again, I am not advocating the extinction of my fellow man and she is looking at it the wrong way but her stance on the subject as far as the planet thriving is technically correct.

I understand what you're saying, and I get where she's coming from, but its also asinine and stupid.

To have a leader of an organization have this as a stance is beyond moronic and people should let this stupid organization die of monetary starvation. Why would you help an organization that would prefer to have you dead?

To advocate planned extinction goes to show that PETA is full of nutcases and unworthy of any support. The concept of treating animals ethically, within reason, is an admirable one, all PETA does is show that they only believe in the extreme and revolutionary and are useless at actually helping to find solutions to current problems plaguing animals right now.

Now, her stance is 'technically' correct, the world would be better place without us, but who cares?

All I can say is that she'd better not have any kids.

[Cowperson]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Not saying I agree PETA's point of view but go ahead and explain to me how the planet would not benefit from the human race going extinct? You can't. I would love to see our race embrace the preservation of the planet but it isn't going to happen because mankind is more concerned with making a dollar and damn the consequences. Again, I am not advocating the extinction of my fellow man and she is looking at it the wrong way but her stance on the subject as far as the planet thriving is technically correct.

If you've ever watched a cat toying with a mouse for an hour before executing it, you'd wonder why a world without humans would be an improvement. The animal world isn't exactly all hugs and kisses.

And species going extinct are often replaced by those more adaptable to the changed environment.

We can probably agree less humans - probably half - would be a good argument to have.

Cowperson

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Cowperson

If you've ever watched a cat toying with a mouse for an hour before executing it, you'd wonder why a world without humans would be an improvement. The animal world isn't exactly all hugs and kisses.

And species going extinct are often replaced by those more adaptable to the changed environment.

We can probably agree less humans - probably half - would be a good argument to have.

Cowperson

While the cat can be cruel to the mouse the cat is not destroying the entire world by doing so like many of the things man does. One is based on instinct and nature, the other is based on greed and profit at the expense of anything.
We have to move forward as a race and look after our planet and fellow creatures a lot better than we do or our children are doomed. PETA is out to lunch though, there are some serious nutcases running that show.

[afc wimbledon]

If I read an article about how great GM cars were in a magazine published by GM I might think the writer was a bit biased, I tend to feel the same way about a vet who is writing about how good (or at least not bad) pure bred dogs are in a pure breed dog breed publication.

####zu's are incidently very prone to breed standard related health issues, as are all toy breeds.