Alpaca Breed Standards

The Effects of Breed Standards

Graham Peck writes in "Is Crufts Damaging Our Dogs?":

"Something is going very wrong with many of the recognised dog breeds. In the early part of the 20th century under/over shot jaws and retained testicles were a breeders' main worry in terms of genetic problems. However…in the 1970's…increasing hip dysplasia problems prompted the introduction of a screening programme which continues to this day. Since then hip dysplasia has been joined by an ever-lengthening list of genetic disorders that now blight most purebred dog breeds...[and]...if anything it is inexorably worsening. Why has this happened? Wasn't the purpose of breeding purebred dogs to improve the breed as a whole?...A consequence of...inbreeding is a reduction in the genetic variety due to the often small number of founding individuals used...[I]n a limited population such as a dog breed if closely related individuals are repeatedly mated with each other as the generations pass…the percentage of individuals…carrying…problem genes becomes high enough that most matings will result in offspring with some degree of problem...

"Unfortunately the selection procedure necessary to establish a new breed and that which is necessary to ensure the continuing health and vigour of a breed on a long term basis are quite different.

"The crux of the matter was the failure by the breeding and show community to realise that a variety of key factors were perpetuating inbreeding which in turn markedly increased the chances of inherited disease being manifested."

Bragg writes:

"Modern registries based on a rigidly-closed studbook are throttling the genetic health of all registered…breeds. Genetic impoverishent is now a real and present threat. Many breeds now bear a genetic load of defects which has grown totally unmanageable as their respective gene pools have become more and more narrow through imprudent breeding and selection practices."

Johnathan Smid, B.Sc. of the Department of Biology, University of Ottawa conducted a very enlightening study described in his paper "Increased Mortality in Rhodesian Ridgebacks: The Consequences of Inbreeding Depression". The Rhodesian Ridgeback came to life on paper with the writing of the first breed standard in 1922, a mere 80 years ago. Among other things that Smid's study found,

• A dog's length of life is based on their COI (Coefficient of Inbreeding), giving strong support that reduced longevity is caused by inbreeding depression.
• An increase in midlife mortality rate in dogs with higher degrees of inbreeding.
• An increase in COI over time representing an increase in overall homozygosity.
• Increasing homozygosity is creating a significant genetic load in the Rhodesian Ridgeback population.

It is of significance that Smid found that, "Cancer appears to be the number one cause of midlife death and appears to be more frequent as the coefficient of inbreeding increases."

Using regression analysis, Smid demonstrated reduction in longevity related to COI over only six generations!

J.B Armstrong states that the Standard Poodle showed a decline in lifespan of approximately 10 months for every 10% increase in inbreeding in his paper "Inbreeding and Longevity in the Domestic Dog"

Decreased lifespan related to COI is insidious, as it is only apparent after the animal dies. What this means is an apparently healthy animal is an active breeder for some time before any problems become apparent.

Aside from dogs, one source writes about horses, "Many thoroughbreds have orthopaedic problems which have a genetic component as well as various respiratory problems. There is also a lot of interest from the Thoroughbred Breeders Association (the trade body for breeders) in looking at the genetic causes of infertility, as some lines of thoroughbred horses are sub-fertile." (http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/doc_WTD002937.html)

A growing body of literature strongly suggests breed standards have a deleterious effect on the animals they intend to preserve and improve. This is well enough recognized that efforts are under way to preserve what genetic diversity still exists in some breeds.

"Sufficient quantities of Holstein semen and embryos have been acquired so that the breed can be considered secure and, if need be, regenerated. The Holstein collection consists of over 500 bulls and 150 embryos. The collection has been developed by contributions from ABS Global, Select Sires, the University of Missouri's control line, and industry wide sampling performed by The National Policy Coordinating Committee for Poultry. The semen acquired represents Holstein genetics from the 1960's to bulls currently being progeny tested." (The Gene Scene - Information letter of the Canadian Farm Animal Genetic Resources Foundation Volume 1-4)

Given the information available about the negative effects of breed standards on domestic animals, one must ask why the alpaca community is even considering their creation. It is as if we are caught in a time warp, and the attitudes of Victorian England are once again filling the air around us. If we sniff the air, will we catch the aroma of expensive cigars, aged brandy and old leather?

Anyone that carefully researches the history and impact of breed standards will be forced to conclude that they have been a failed experiment. There is clear evidence of significant degradation of specific breeds in as little as 80 years.

So why are breed standards for alpacas being considered? Most proponents of breed standards insist that standards are intended help all owners of alpacas.