Breeding's a Problem... Or is it? - John Bower, Veterinary Hospital Group Plymouth

Breeding’s a Problem – Breeding’s a Problem – or is it?or is it?

John Bower BVSc MRCVSJohn Bower BVSc MRCVS

The Veterinary Hospital Group, The Veterinary Hospital Group, Plymouth, UKPlymouth, UK

Dogs versus womenDogs versus women

• Dogs don’t mind you seeing other dogsDogs don’t mind you seeing other dogs• The later you come home, the better the The later you come home, the better the

welcomewelcome• Dogs don’t notice if you call them another Dogs don’t notice if you call them another

dog’s namedog’s name• Dogs think breaking wind is funnyDogs think breaking wind is funny• Dogs’ parents never visitDogs’ parents never visit• Dogs temperament is the same all month longDogs temperament is the same all month long

BreedingBreeding

• Basic FactsBasic Facts

• Who breeds?Who breeds?

• Breeders & PurchasersBreeders & Purchasers

• Breeding problemsBreeding problems

• Factors influencing behavioural developmentFactors influencing behavioural development

• Socialisation & Habituation – your roleSocialisation & Habituation – your role

• Hand rearingHand rearing

• RehomingRehoming

• Some breed related problemsSome breed related problems

Oestrus – Heat - CallingOestrus – Heat - Calling

• DogsDogs On heat twice a year On heat twice a year – Oestrus 3 weeks, usually mate & conceive Oestrus 3 weeks, usually mate & conceive

at about 10 daysat about 10 days

• CatsCats seasonally polyoestrousseasonally polyoestrous– Usually Spring & Autumn but not alwaysUsually Spring & Autumn but not always

– Mating stops the cat callingMating stops the cat calling

Gestation PeriodsGestation Periods

• DogDog 63 days63 days

• CatCat 63 days63 days

• RabbitRabbit 30-33 days30-33 days

• Guinea PigGuinea Pig 60-75 days60-75 days

• Rat/MouseRat/Mouse 21 days21 days

Birth (Parturition)Birth (Parturition)

• 3 stages of Labour:3 stages of Labour:– 11stst stage nest making, cervix dilating stage nest making, cervix dilating

– 22ndnd stage is the birth of the young stage is the birth of the young

– 33rdrd stage is expulsion of the placentas stage is expulsion of the placentas

Who Breeds?Who Breeds?

• Pedigree dogs & catsPedigree dogs & cats– ““Professional” BreedersProfessional” Breeders

– Pet OwnersPet Owners

• Mongrel dogs or MoggiesMongrel dogs or Moggies– Intentional - by pet ownersIntentional - by pet owners

– Unintentional; mismating, strays etc.Unintentional; mismating, strays etc.

• The results of both can end up in your The results of both can end up in your Rescue HomesRescue Homes

EssentialsEssentials

• Owners should only breed from:Owners should only breed from:– Physically healthy animals of correct agePhysically healthy animals of correct age

– Animals with sound temperament Animals with sound temperament

– Animals not carrying genetic defectsAnimals not carrying genetic defects

– Animals not closely related to each other Animals not closely related to each other

• Pedigree dogs & catsPedigree dogs & cats should be tested for should be tested for known Genetic Disorders of that breedknown Genetic Disorders of that breed

• CrossbredsCrossbreds should only be bred from if there should only be bred from if there are no behaviour or other adverse problemsare no behaviour or other adverse problems

In-breedingIn-breeding

• Mating animals to close relativesMating animals to close relatives• Is (was?) a common practice to increase Is (was?) a common practice to increase

chances of offspring similar to parentschances of offspring similar to parents• Does produce some “clones” of successful Does produce some “clones” of successful

show dogsshow dogs• Does however produce some animals with Does however produce some animals with

serious abnormalities which are inheritedserious abnormalities which are inherited• Is now beginning to be accepted as “bad Is now beginning to be accepted as “bad

practice”practice”

EssentialsEssentials• Purchasers should only buy:Purchasers should only buy:

– Pets from the premises they were born in, orPets from the premises they were born in, or

– Pets from reliable rescue homes where Pets from reliable rescue homes where temperament & health have been assessedtemperament & health have been assessed

– Pets whose parents they have seen if breeder or Pets whose parents they have seen if breeder or home bredhome bred

– Pedigree pets whose Pedigree pets whose

– parents have been tested parents have been tested

– & are free of genetic & are free of genetic

– defectsdefects

Rescue Home

In the UK………..In the UK………..

• 1 in 5 dogs has a behaviour problem 1 in 5 dogs has a behaviour problem (genuine or perceived)(genuine or perceived)

• Of these, 1 in 7 is due to lack of good Of these, 1 in 7 is due to lack of good socialisation and habituationsocialisation and habituation

• 50 % of dogs and cats in rescue centres 50 % of dogs and cats in rescue centres are there because of their behaviourare there because of their behaviour

• Many breeds have conformation or Many breeds have conformation or medical inherited problemsmedical inherited problems

Factors influencing behaviour Factors influencing behaviour development development

• Breed and inherent behaviourBreed and inherent behaviour

• Maternal behaviourMaternal behaviour

• Early environmentEarly environment

• Socialisation & habituationSocialisation & habituation

• Behaviour of other pets & humansBehaviour of other pets & humans

• Disease and ageingDisease and ageing

Even the size of one species varies enormously

Great Dane

Yorkshire Terrier





• Socialisation, habituation, & handlingSocialisation, habituation, & handling



BadGood





• Socialisation, habituation, & handlingSocialisation, habituation, & handling



What is socialisation ?What is socialisation ?

The process by which an animal learns to The process by which an animal learns to recognise and relate to the species with recognise and relate to the species with which it liveswhich it lives

This may be other domestic pets as well as This may be other domestic pets as well as humans, and possibly livestockhumans, and possibly livestock

Primary phase 3-14 weeks in dogs, 2-7 Primary phase 3-14 weeks in dogs, 2-7 weeks in cats. Secondary phase around weeks in cats. Secondary phase around pubertypuberty

What is habituation?What is habituation?

The process by which an animal becomes The process by which an animal becomes accustomed to its environment.accustomed to its environment.

This may include domestic machines, This may include domestic machines, telephone, door bell, farm machinery, telephone, door bell, farm machinery, traffic, aircraft, skateboards, hot air traffic, aircraft, skateboards, hot air balloons, kites, gun fire etcballoons, kites, gun fire etc

Same ages as for socialisationSame ages as for socialisation





• Socialisation & habituationSocialisation & habituation


Be aware that:Be aware that:

• Fear related problems are the Fear related problems are the commonest type genetically transferredcommonest type genetically transferred

• Most other behavioural problems are due Most other behavioural problems are due to either:to either:– Poor early socialisation or habituationPoor early socialisation or habituation

– Incorrect handling by new ownerIncorrect handling by new owner

– Wrongly placed petWrongly placed pet

Socialisation of PuppiesSocialisation of Puppies

• Socialisation age 3 – 12 weeksSocialisation age 3 – 12 weeks

• From 1From 1stst vaccination at say 8 weeks vaccination at say 8 weeks onwards, expose to environment safelyonwards, expose to environment safely

• Pups who experience things after 14 Pups who experience things after 14 weeks of age for the first time may weeks of age for the first time may remain fearful of it for liferemain fearful of it for life

Your roleYour role

• Essential to handle pups gently and Essential to handle pups gently and frequently between 3 – 14 weeks of agefrequently between 3 – 14 weeks of age

• Different peopleDifferent people

• Examine feet, mouth, ears, eyes, coatExamine feet, mouth, ears, eyes, coat

• Add food to bowl while eatingAdd food to bowl while eating

• Sit in their basket!Sit in their basket!

• Reward good behaviourReward good behaviour

• Pass on this advice to new ownersPass on this advice to new owners

Ensure you have examined pet Ensure you have examined pet thoroughlythoroughly

Socialisation of KittensSocialisation of Kittens

• Socialisation age 2 - 7 weeksSocialisation age 2 - 7 weeks

• From 1From 1stst vaccination at say 8 weeks vaccination at say 8 weeks onwards, expose to environment safelyonwards, expose to environment safely

• Kittens who experience things after 12 Kittens who experience things after 12 weeks of age for the first time may weeks of age for the first time may remain fearful of it for liferemain fearful of it for life

New experience!New experience!

Your roleYour role

• Essential to handle kittens gently and Essential to handle kittens gently and frequently between these agesfrequently between these ages

• Different peopleDifferent people

• Pick them up, groom underneath etc.Pick them up, groom underneath etc.

• Examine feet, mouth, ears, eyes, furExamine feet, mouth, ears, eyes, fur

• Pass on this advice to new ownersPass on this advice to new owners

The pet is a member of the owners family

Normal weaning Normal weaning Kittens & PuppiesKittens & Puppies

11stst 3 weeks ad lib 3 weeks ad lib sucklingsuckling

Dam starts to withdraw, Dam starts to withdraw, with full feed not always with full feed not always availableavailable

FrustrationFrustration Transfer to prey/solid Transfer to prey/solid

foodfood Any frustration or Any frustration or

aggression is directed aggression is directed towards the preytowards the prey

Hand rearingHand rearing

• Often fed on demand past 3Often fed on demand past 3rdrd week week• Solid feeding encouraged by hand/fingersSolid feeding encouraged by hand/fingers• Lack of maternal modellingLack of maternal modelling• Human focus of feeding process, not preyHuman focus of feeding process, not prey• Less independenceLess independence• Failure to tolerate frustrationFailure to tolerate frustration• Aggression (cats) or dominance Aggression (cats) or dominance

(puppies) may develop(puppies) may develop

Frustration related aggressionFrustration related aggression

• Disappointed expectation Disappointed expectation

• Demanding behaviour rewardedDemanding behaviour rewarded

• Hand reared kittensHand reared kittens

• Food, attention, owner interactionFood, attention, owner interaction

• Can be severe & persistCan be severe & persist

Rehoming - Social matchesRehoming - Social matches

bestbest

• LittermatesLittermates

• Unrelated kittens < 7 weeksUnrelated kittens < 7 weeks

• Queen + kittenQueen + kitten

• Adult + kitten Adult + kitten

• Adults opposite sexAdults opposite sex

• Adults male nAdults male n

• Adults female nAdults female n

worstworst

These cats like each other!

These don’t!

Pedigree DogsPedigree Dogs

• TV programme in UK this year exposed some TV programme in UK this year exposed some bad breeding practicesbad breeding practices

• Problems with KC Breed Standards which Problems with KC Breed Standards which exaggerated some aspects of anatomyexaggerated some aspects of anatomy

• Problems with Breeders’ & Show judges’ Problems with Breeders’ & Show judges’ interpretations?interpretations?

TV programme in UK this yearTV programme in UK this year

• Exposed some bad breeding practices:Exposed some bad breeding practices:

– problems with in-breedingproblems with in-breeding

– problems with breeding for appearance problems with breeding for appearance

alone – not for function or behaviouralone – not for function or behaviour

– problems due to KC standards or Judges’ problems due to KC standards or Judges’

interpretation of theminterpretation of them

TV programme in UK this yearTV programme in UK this year

• Identified Breeds where serious problemsIdentified Breeds where serious problems

• Raised public awareness of problemsRaised public awareness of problems

• Called for changes in breed standards – KC have Called for changes in breed standards – KC have

now revised all these – but enough?now revised all these – but enough?

• KC agreement to microchip all dogs on BVA /KC KC agreement to microchip all dogs on BVA /KC

schemesschemes

• Breed Societies can & MUST helpBreed Societies can & MUST help

SomeSome Breed Problems - Dogs Breed Problems - Dogs

• BoxerBoxer CardiomyopathiesCardiomyopathies

• Bull TerrierBull Terrier Early Kidney failureEarly Kidney failure

• Cocker SpanielCocker Spaniel Rage SyndromeRage Syndrome

• Bedlington/Skye/DobBedlington/Skye/Dob Copper ToxicosisCopper Toxicosis

• Cavalier King CharlesCavalier King Charles Cardiomyopathies Cardiomyopathies & Syringomyelia& Syringomyelia

• German Shepherd Hip DysplasiaGerman Shepherd Hip Dysplasia

• Labrador Retriever Elbow / Hip DysplasiaLabrador Retriever Elbow / Hip Dysplasia

Hip DysplasiaHip Dysplasia

Skull Comparisons – Syringomyelia / Skull Comparisons – Syringomyelia / Chiari-like MalformationsChiari-like Malformations

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Cats & the GCCFCats & the GCCF

• Cats have problems too – but many Cats have problems too – but many fewerfewer

• GCCF seems a bit more in control of GCCF seems a bit more in control of their breederstheir breeders

• Won’t register strange new breedsWon’t register strange new breeds

• TV trying to put together a programme TV trying to put together a programme similar to the dog onesimilar to the dog one

Manx Cat – Spinal abnormality

Facial dermatitis Persian

Summary - Breeding pets is NOT Summary - Breeding pets is NOT easy & can be disastrous if:easy & can be disastrous if:

1.1. Parents are not free from obvious physical or Parents are not free from obvious physical or temperament abnormalitiestemperament abnormalities

2.2. Tests are not carried out for known breed Tests are not carried out for known breed abnormalitiesabnormalities

3.3. The litter is not handled & socialised wellThe litter is not handled & socialised well

4.4. New owners are not chosen and advised New owners are not chosen and advised correctlycorrectly

• Your role is very important – Your role is very important – especially in 3 & 4 aboveespecially in 3 & 4 above

Good luck!

Rescue Homes fulfil a vital role

Breeding's a Problem... Or is it? - John Bower, Veterinary Hospital Group Plymouth

Lifestyle

Transcript of Breeding's a Problem... Or is it? - John Bower, Veterinary Hospital Group Plymouth