Inbreeding & linebreeding

Inbreeding is defined as mating of individuals that are closely related through common ancestry, and ‘to mate individuals that are more related to each other than the average COI in the population’. Linebreeding is a form of inbreeding, just in a less excessive amount. Inbreeding/linebreeding in dogs can lead to an increase in the prevalence of inherited disorders, a decrease in viability/ longevity and reproductive ability, loss of genetic diversity, shorter life span and reduction of immune system function. Collectively, these effects of inbreeding/linebreeding are called inbreeding depression.

Because of this, Dhoki Apso are strong believers of keeping a low inbreeding rate for all our litters as one of the most important things to preserve our great breed! To still keep the true breed type, we practice assortative mating - we find partners with similar phenotypic traits, but without them being to close related. To show that we take this seriously, we publish the inbreeding rate (COI) over five generations for all our dogs and litters. Kennel clubs usually only register 3 generations for imports and/or stud dogs from abroad and as a result of this procedure, the rate published on pedigrees or in databases might not be correct. So all COI’s on this page is calculated by Maria herself.

The loss of genes

When breeding purebred dogs, it is nearly impossible to get all the genes of one generation into the next one. A big challenge is how we can avoid to loose genes, just by random chance and/or because of strong selection for specific traits, when breeding.

To be able to keep as many genes in a population of dogs, more dogs need to be used in breeding (in a proper way - to just breed your female without any context and thought of what’s in her lines and how her pedigrees/ancestors work together with a partner, is just thoughtless!) and less dogs should have lots of litters. That is why we try to keep more than one puppy from each litter - not only at home, but through co-ownership agreements, agreements or encouragement to have a litter in a proper manner - with help from us. This way we can keep up our breeding program without females haveing many litters - they are first of all dogs and not producers. Read more about this HERE.

We are also strong believers of the Norwegian Kennel Club’s 5% rule, that no dog should have more puppies than 5% of what is born in the breed the last five years. Keeping this in mind, we try to use males that have less offsprings in Norway. Read more HERE.