Are there risks if a brother and a sister dog mate?

Question

Both dogs are from the same litter!

Answer 1

Okay, here is the issue with inbreeding/linebreeding. What happens is that it does two things. 1) It decreases the genetic variety in any one litter, even within one dog. After twenty generations every dog produced is the same genetically. This is why in studies about nature vs. nurture the scientists do this. Then every difference in the animals behavior is based on nurture, because they are all genetically the same. 2) Because of this lack of genetic diversity, every trait is brought out, both the good and the bad. Since perfection is impossible, there are always going to be hidden bad traits that rear their ugly heads if allowed too. These traits can begin to show even in the earliest stages of linebreeding. I truly believe that line breeding can be a good tool for creating a better animal, but one would have to be ruthless in culling animals that had any bad qualities from their breeding program. (Notice when I say culling, I do not mean killing. I mean finding a good home for, with a spay or neuter contract and never, ever breeding from that dog). And the person doing so would have to have an immense amount of knowledge in genetics.

In short, if one does not have the knowledge and is not willing to devote a great deal of time and energy to linebreed in a knowledgeable way, then it is irresponsible to do so. However, linebreeding itself does not create these traits and breeding to any animal that has the right combination of traits can cause the same problems. It is just predictable in linebreeding, but that same predictability is its merit.

Answer 2

Yes, there are definite risks from inbreeding. The puppies are likely to have both health defects and behavior problems. If you want to give away the puppies afterwards, please get them neutered first and let the adopters know that the dog they are getting has been inbred. You may want to give the litter to your local animal shelter, because this is a for sure way that they will all be altered and not pass on their inherited defects.

Answer 3

It's okay, really. Dogs can have incestuous relationship, unlike human. I know this, because my dachshund, who is 2 years old now, is a product of a father and daughter. Yes, my dog's father is also his grandfather. He turns out just fine. He is a little stupid sometimes, we call him a birth defect when he is, but that's only as a joke. He's quite clever, actually, learns tricks fast. Everything else about him is normal. So don't worry! I mean it! Don't you dare terminate those babies!

Answer 4

Huge risks. It is practically a guaranutee of a dog with physical problems.

Answer 5

Yes, the risk of inbreeding is there is a greater chance of genetic defects appearing in the offspring.
Still, if they are both healthy and their parents and grandparents are not inbred, they would probably be all right.

Answer 6

There is a HUGE risk of genetic problems, and they puppies will probably have health and behavior problems. It is cruel to the potential puppies to allow a brother/sister breeding.

Answer 7

There is a higher risk of genetic problems (especially with some breeds, which tend to have problems anyway due to inbreeding--dislocated hips and the like).

This is why some breeds have so many problems to begin with--inbreeding.

Answer 8

yes.... there will be deformities... if not that litter, then down the line there will be. It also makes them unstable in the mind. We have an imbred mastif who is only half her size and is crazy. She attacks any thing that makes noise especially another barking dog.... Just don't do it

Answer 9

With cats you end up with deformities, like 6 toes one eye retardation. Same goes for humans. So I bet the same thing happens with dogs.

Answer 10

yes! just like humans the dogs will come out retarded. Its not good to have the same bloodlines running threw dogs. They tend to be the ones who snap on the owners or to dumb to train.