09/18/2024
So, for those that don't know, our tiny program is occasionally the focus of Angry Dog People of the Internet. A small group of purebred elitists are quite busy on the internet today. I am fine, and am not especially concerned, but AM really bothered by the spread of misinformation.
There are very controversial feelings about intentionally cross breeding dogs. When you take an anthropological look at the evolution of purebred (in**ed) dogs, there is an enormous amount of overlap with the classist and racist systemic oppression of Victorian era Brittain. This is NOT a coincidence. The idea that imposing arbitrary dog breeding rules will keep out certain groups of people IS a racist and classist move. The fact that these people are coming after us, instead of, say, focusing on ending mill production of purebred dogs being marketed to pet owners, tells me everything I need to know about them.
When you take a look at all animal science, it is logical and easy to improve health by outcrossing breeds. Sometimes, ridiculously simple. It is not hard, it is not contraindicated, it is not complicated. The hang-ups that people have about mixing breeds, preserving breeds, etc are based in blood purity ideology. If you'd like to nerd out and read the book "The Invention of the Modern Dog", it does talk about how "pure" breeding of dogs is directly based on Hitler's research in humans. You don't have to just take my word for it, but I'm not going to spend time arguing about whether this is true. That is NOT the focus of the book, but it does cover clearly how this devisiveness started. AND it talks about how registries were originally created to monitor outcrossing, rather than prevent it.
I will link a podcast in the comments for anyone who wants to take a listen to a veterinary science-based look at breeding for health and temperament over blood purity.
There are a few parts of what we're doing that are being discussed, twisted, falsified, etc. today on the internet. I'm going to fact-check for everyone. I am not sharing to appease the people who are angry about mixed breeding dogs. I am not here for them, and they are not invited to be a part of my project, or enjoy the company of my dogs. Rather, I am sharing for people who are trying to navigate finding a healthy, temperamentally stable pet dog in today's world. It is not an easy feat, and I am trying to make a small dent in that problem. I support ethical breeding of purebred dogs. I support ethical breeding of mixed breed dogs. I support ethical rescue organizations, that make sure not to place behaviorally unsound dogs with families that are not equipped to deal with their support needs. I support mentoring of dog breeders to modernize their programs, and produce healthier dogs. I do NOT support mass production of dogs for the pet trade. I realize that ethical breeding cannot keep up with the number of dogs needed in our country, and the world. I know that we aren't going to solve the problem today or tomorrow, but I have high hopes that ending mill production, normalizing breeding for health and temperament, and helping the general public navigate finding their next dog with transparency, open-heartedness, and love is the way forward.
If you haven't heard, Cuba will be used as a stud in a rough Collie outcross program. Rough collies have been a big part of my life since I was a young child, and were the breed I grew up with. They have a number of genetic issues that are rampant in the breed. I fully support outcrossing them mindfully in order to retain the best parts of who they are as dogs, while giving them a chance to live healthier, happier lives. There are people who are out crossing with the intention of breeding back to type, and there are people who are simply mixing them with other breeds, with no intention of increasing Collie content in future generations. I am comfortable with both of these ideas, and have thoroughly vetted the breeder using him, Oasis Companion Canines .
Cuba is being bred to a rough Collie female of exceptional temperament. She is affected by and/or carrying a copy of several of the genetic issues that are rampant in the breed. Cuba was selected specifically because of his complimentary temperament, neutrality, intelligence, structure, and DNA profile. The owner of the Collie he is being paired with is hoping to continue their lines with a puppy who is similar in temperament and personality, while not carrying some of the genes that the mother dog is.
Likewise, I am trying to breed spaniel-type dogs that are calm, intelligent, healthy, and free of the cddy gene, heart disease, and DM. In order to do that, using breeds that are genetically unlike spaniels, but having similar personality traits and thorough health testing, is an important first step. This pairing made sense for both of our goals, and we will likely both retain a puppy for our individual projects. The remaining puppies will be raised by a KPA certified trainer, have a beautiful start to their life, and be well prepared to be stellar companion dogs. They will have both myself and their breeder watching over them closely as they grow up. They will be beloved and supported. While the dog nerd community is upset that we aren't benefiting the dog show world with this pairing, they seem largely out of touch with the fact that the majority of dogs in the US are acquired primarily for companionship. This is their most important job, and the most important feature to be breeding for success in.
Things you will hear them claiming, and my responses, are listed below:
FALSE: Oasis companion canines is selling the future puppies for $3,500.
Oasis has not yet priced these puppies, and past puppies have been priced markedly below that number. The cost of living in Southern California is high, and they are going to take one to two months off of work to raise this litter. The price of these puppies will reflect the cost associated with thorough health testing, artificial insemination, and the costs of whelping and raising by a KPA certified trainer, but it is up to Oasis to decide what the cost will be, not random people on the internet. I trust them fully to price fairly, both for puppy buyers and for themself.
FALSE: Cuba has not been tested for thyroid irregularities.
I do comprehensive lab work for him every year. I do a complete urinalysis, complete blood chemistry panel, including thyroid, which is always normal. He is due for his annual, and I will happily post his results here when they are received. I have not submitted to MSU/OFA, mostly because I get a significant savings on blood work through a particular source, and I have zero concerns about his thyroid function. If ever someone wanted to use him in an out cross with a breed that suffers from Addison's or autoimmune thyroid disease, I would insist that they cover an OFA evaluation of his thyroid as a prerequisite, as well as provide that data for their dog. If Cuba's annual blood work or health was ever in question, that would certainly be a first diagnostic step taken. Because I am not willing to let him be crossed back into the silken windhound breed, and because his lineage is now two generations away from Addison's disease with no recurrence, I do not feel the need to try to appease to people who are upset about what lab I used to do my blood work. I strongly suspect that they would just move on to another point of contention if I did.
FALSE: Cuba has not been "proven". (In the dog world, this means that conformation and training titles have been earned.)
While he is not eligible for structural evaluation by a dog show judge, it's important to note that that process is also largely subjective. I put much more stock in sports med and veterinary structural evals, of which he has had both.
Cuba has had hips and elbows x-rayed and evaluated, patellas examined for luxation, eyes examined by an opthalmologist with dilation, several cardiac echos, and has been declared structurally lovely by multiple veterinarians. As a Veterinary nurse with certification in physical rehab and sports medicine, I would not ever breed a dog that was structurally unsound. It goes against everything I stand for. If anyone is wanting to use Cuba for an outcross program, and requires stacked photos in order to move forward, I certainly could have them done. So far, in-person evaluation has been performed by anyone using him, which is a much better approach than relying on photos. His informal stacks and free stack photos have been sufficient to relay his structure to people who may want to evaluate him in person.
Cuba has several rally obedience titles. Because he is not allowed to compete in AKC as an unneutered crossbred dog, and because that is primarily what is available in my area for competition, he does not have the number of titles that reflect his skill and level of training, but I'm ok with that. I will be doing further cwags and cpe titling on him this fall/winter, but I view that more as a fun thing we do together, rather than an evaluation of his ability to produce emotionally sound dogs. I'm also a physically disabled person. My days of agility competition are likely behind me, although Cuba enjoys recreational obstacle training. I'd love to do lower level agility titles with him if my physical state ever allows it again. He is a class demo dog for my dog training business. He is a trained service dog, although I don't utilize him in public access settings often. I generally only need him when I'm doing extended continuing ed for my several health care licenses. This requires full days of being in a classroom setting, which is hard on my body and brain. He is a huge help in those rare situations.
Please send thoughts and prayers to the angry dog people of the Internet. May they gain peace in their hearts, calm in their minds, and may they gain kindness in their spirits as they navigate the treacherous world of the Internet.
