The Hidden Cost of Inbreeding in Pedigree Dogs ~ Why We Left The Kennel Club

At our kennel, dog welfare comes first — not tradition and certainly not show-ring fashion. That’s why we are choosing a path that prioritises genetic health over pedigree purity.

Pedigree dog breeding has long been associated with elegance, heritage and predictability. But behind the prestigious certificates and glossy show rings lies a major problem: inbreeding, a practice that compromises canine health on a deep and lasting genetic level.

This post explains why inbreeding is so harmful, how the pedigree system perpetuates it and why we are stepping away from The Kennel Club to protect the long-term welfare of our dogs.

Why Inbreeding Is a Serious Problem

Inbreeding occurs when genetically related dogs are bred together. Within closed pedigree systems, this is incredibly common — even when it isn’t obvious on paper.

What inbreeding leads to:

✔ Increased genetic disease

✔ Compromised immune function

✔ Lower fertility

✔ Higher puppy mortality

✔ Behavioural vulnerability

✔ Shorter lifespans

✔ Overall reduced resilience

These effects are widely documented in canine genetic research and have been brought to public attention for years by canine welfare advocates.

How Pedigree Systems Promote Inbreeding

1. Closed Stud Books

Pedigree breeds typically operate within closed stud books — meaning no new genetic material can enter the breed, even when diversity collapses. Over generations, all dogs become more closely related.

2. The “Popular Sire” Problem

When a male dog wins in the show ring, breeders rush to use him. A single popular sire can produce hundreds of puppies, spreading his genes across an entire breed. This rapidly reduces breed-wide diversity.

3. Misconceptions About “Purity”

There is a persistent but flawed belief that “purebred” means “better bred.” In reality, pedigree purity often means:

• generations of breeding within the same limited family

• reduced genetic resilience

• inherited health issues becoming widespread

  
  

Purity is not synonymous with health — and often directly opposes it.

Health Consequences of Inbreeding

1. Increased Genetic Disease

Inbreeding amplifies the risk of recessive disorders. These can include:

• heart issues

• joint deformities

• neurological disorders

• cancer predispositions

• metabolic diseases

Even with modern DNA testing, most inherited risks cannot be detected through available tests.

2. Weakened Immune System

A genetically diverse immune system is the body’s defence against infection, cancer and autoimmunity. Inbreeding reduces this diversity, making dogs:

• more vulnerable to illness

• more allergy-prone

• at higher risk of autoimmune disorders

3. Reduced Fertility & Smaller Litters

Common symptoms of inbreeding depression include:

• poor sperm quality

• silent heats

• reduced conception rates

• increased stillbirths

• smaller litter sizes

These are biological warning signs that a genetic pool is collapsing.

Why We Have Moved Away From The Kennel Club

The Kennel Club has long been viewed as the guardian of dog welfare — but its structure and policies have contributed heavily to the genetic crisis in pedigree breeds.

Here’s why we are choosing a different path:

1. Closed stud books remain closed, even when breeds are in crisis

2. Show judging rewards appearance, not health

Exaggerated features and narrow breed standards encourage repeated use of the same lines.

3. Health testing is optional

Voluntary schemes cannot protect the genetic health of entire breeds.

4. Resistance to meaningful outcrossing

When diversity is dangerously low, the only ethical solution is to introduce new genetics — something The Kennel Club has consistently failed to support on a necessary scale.

5. Tradition is prioritised over welfare

PR-friendly statements and minor rule changes do not fix fundamental genetic problems.

In short: we believe The Kennel Club does not prioritise canine health — and that the future of healthy dogs will come from more flexible, welfare-led breeding practices, not rigid pedigree systems.

Our Commitment to Healthier Dogs

Our breeding choices reflect our values: health, longevity, temperament and genetic strength.

What we do differently:

✔ We prioritise low COI (Coefficient of Inbreeding) pairings

✔ We avoid popular sire syndrome

✔ We are open to using genetically diverse, non-registered dogs

✔ We support structured, ethical outcrossing where appropriate

✔ We breed for function, robustness and long-term health

✔ We refuse to sacrifice welfare for tradition or aesthetics

A certificate does not make a dog healthy — genetics do.

Inbreeding is one of the most urgent welfare issues facing pedigree dogs today. It silently undermines health, shortens lives and weakens entire breeds.

While the traditional pedigree structure continues to prioritise purity and appearance, we choose a better path.

Dawn & Phil 🐾