Saturday, March 7, 2009

History of Dog Breeding

Studies revealed that humans already loved pets even during the pre-historic days. For thousands of years, man has established a good relationship with specific dog types. Useful dogs are treated nicely and are fed regularly. As years passed, domesticated dogs were developed and at present, there are already different groups or types of dogs like the sight hounds, guardian or livestock dogs, and the hunting dogs. To maintain such differences, the people intentionally mated different breeds to uphold certain characteristics.

Purebreds were for the rich and famous but that was years ago. Dogs today are more affordable because of the extreme competition in the dog breeding industry. Some breeders concentrate mainly on purebreds while others focus on mix breed or cross breed dogs. There are different types of breeding such as inbreeding, line breeding, and out-crossing.

Dogs should be registered with the dog registry like kennel clubs. Owners of studs should also be registered so that you can receive the necessary documents. The American Kennel Club or AKC is quite popular in the US and you can find a huge database of all the dogs there with their respective lineage, working qualities, and achievements. These dogs are also the ones who are associated with the kennel clubs in the US.

Purebreds also have their own records in the registry. Dog breeders are encouraged to check with the registry to learn more about a particular dog breed. The records can help a breeder in analyzing the traits, pedigrees, and other valuable information. The registration of purebreds and mixed breeds vary depending on the state you live in, the registries, and kennel clubs. A certain breed already has an established standard that breeders should follow. They must abide with the rules to ensure the health of dogs.

Dogs are required to undergo hip certifications, joint X-rays, and even eye exams. Special tests or trials should be passed by your dog to get the certification. An expert will evaluate your dog’s working qualities and other factors before a certification is issued.

The new breeders are often called backyard breeders. Those mass producing businesses are called puppy farms or puppy mills. Dog breeding is considered unethical by animal rightists. But it’s up to the dog breeder to practice ethics in the conduct of his business.

These animal rightists claim that inbreeding dogs should not be encouraged because genetic disorders are increased. They also claim that there is already an overpopulation of pets in the world today and they also protest against the yearly killings of dogs in animal shelters.

Dog breeders are already aware that dogs possess inheritable characteristics just like humans. It is therefore very important that only the good genes are passed on to the puppies. Among the common hereditary problems are hip dysplasia, eye problems, heart conditions, deafness, bone or joint, etc.

Dog registries and breed clubs are conducting extensive studies on these conditions so that breeders will have adequate information on how to prevent such genetic defects. The OFA (Orthopedic Foundation of Animals) is also collecting useful data for the benefit of dog breeders.

Dog breeding is rich in history. For thousands of years, people cared for dogs and it’s no wonder that dogs are closest to man of all the animals or pets. So, do you want to become a dog breeder? Decide now.

Hypoallergenic Dog Breeding

Who says you can’t find hypoallergenic dogs? Some individuals are quite sensitive to pets, even pet dogs. Here’s good new for you – there are hypoallergenic breeders of dogs and it’s quite easy to find them. You should be extra careful when choosing pet dogs because there are dishonest dog breeders out there who sell the wrong dogs.

Firstly, you should try to do investigate a little. Try to know more about the dog breeders in your local area. That way, you will know which breeders provide the best pets, particularly the hypoallergenic ones.

Make use of the internet and the local library. You can find a lot of information there about hypoallergenic dogs. There are only specific breeds that are considered as hypoallergenic. Since these dog breeds are different from other dogs, you should learn as much as you can about them. Try to discover how to deal with their moods, living conditions, and know how to properly care for them. The pictures of the dogs are also available and so you can see their physical appearance. Don’t forget to ask for the price. If you’re lucky, you can find an affordable dog breed that suits your needs and taste.

Once you’ve chosen a particular dog breed, you can now start researching about the different dog breeders in your locality. Dog breeders often advertise online, on vet offices, bulletin boards in your community, and on the newspaper. Visit only the licensed dog breeders to ensure quality of the dogs. You also need to check with the local agency if the dog breeders are indeed licensed. You will also find out if the dog breeder offers the dog breed you like.

Once you’ve proven that the breeder is licensed, you should check out their facility. By visiting the place of the dog breeder, you will see if the environment is safe and friendly. This is very important because a well-kept dog is friendly and playful. Tell the breeder about your preferred dog. Once he or she brings the dog to you, check their eyes, coat, and skin. This is a very effective way to tell if the dog is healthy or not. With the researches you’ve conducted earlier, you can easily tell if the dog breed is healthy.

The price of the dog breed varies. A pure bred dog can cost hundreds of dollars so you need to get a breed that you can afford. Return policies are not offered by most dog breeders. If you think that the price of the dog is too low or too high, you should check out with other local breeders. If you have any suspicions, you should tell the breeder frankly.

If you have dog allergies, you need to spend more on the hypoallergenic breeds. These dog breeds are more costly than regular dogs but it’s worth the investment. It’s a good idea that there are now hypoallergenic dogs for those who want to own pet dogs despite their allergies.

You can start looking for the perfect dog breed in your area now. If you deal only with the licensed dog breeders, you’re sure to get high quality pet dogs at a reasonable price. Prepare your money now because it’s going to be a bit of costly to get hypoallergenic dogs. It’s all worth the money and effort because you can bring home a lovable pet for the whole family to enjoy.