Breeding carriers

[GSD Woman]

So, I tried to use science and logic to point out to some young woman that throwing out carriers of degenerative myelopathy damages the breed gene pool. She has what appear to be warmbloods where outcrosses seem to be normal. She thinks you can just not breed carriers to get the problem out of the breed. I don't think she understands closed studbooks don't allow new outcrosses, at least with the AKC.

 

[Thistle]

Yes, I constantly try to explain that it's ok to breed a carrier so long as you cross with a dog that's clear. If you don't breed from a particular dog because it carries a problem (that won't be exhibited if you breed sensibly) then you risk reducing the gene pool down too much.