With reference to my former blog The AfriCanis a genetic savour for our ‘purebred’ breeds. This blog will also be concerned about the future well-being of the Dobermann. It explained even more why a landrace as the AfriCanis could be such a healthy option for a cross breeding project. The effects from stress ( unhealthy-chronic) and the consequences for well-being also for the long term is underestimated.
Excess stress changes your Dobermann genes and it can and will influence the individual aswell their offsprings. It’s even possible that certain genes are on generation after generation untill environment changes turn it off. Many animal studies, for example with mice (increased levels of white blood cells), has proven that stress can change genes. To expand further on this point stress has a influence on the brain development, mental well-being and can become a ‘trigger’ to express and developing genetic diseases. Many traits derive more from the female than the male, especially fearfulness. It has a genetic predisposition and deepen in the first hours and weeks after birth. This said the influence, learning behavior, from the mother after birth plays also a crucial role how the little ones further develop.
The two main subjects I relate to the Dobermann breed are DCM and unsound/nervous temperament. From the beginning of wording it seems that those two are so intertwinded in the breed. Being a student from the breed for just seven years it is a common theme through the many books I have read and the even more conversations with breeders and owners. Temperament is a close to my heart subject and for me as a owner the first important thing in relation to my dogs. A dog with a unsound and nervous behavior isn’t a Happy Dog ! What if stress can be a ‘trigger’ ( in some cases ) to develope DCM in the individual ? This is a controversial thought and in my opinion not been studied. Epigenetics is also a study in relation to diseases in our breeds what still be in its infancy.
Let me be clear, of course I’m aware that DCM is the most complex and prevelance inherited disease in the breed. It is mentioned in many studies to be a familial disease to be inherited autosomal as an dominant trait. What is so curious why some get it and others not, regardless test results or fortaste from bloodlines. This is also the reason why you can ask yourself if there is something we overlooked or not consider it as a serious possibility.
Stress reduction is a element I implement in everyday life with my dogs because I believe that it is beneficial for overall health. This said they must be able to deal with stress during a certain period and degree. From nature they must have a quick recovery and be under threshold. In this matter selection and so genes play a very important role how our breed express itself. I’ll try to share and explain some of my believes in relation to stress, genes and the influence in relation to the Dobermann’s well-being.
A foundation ( breeding stock ) can only be sound and healthy if we are aware of the whole package and what contribute to it. The Dobermann Community wear many hats in the matter of taking care of this breeding philosophy. The look does not make the Dobermann ! Some days ago I read a comment at a Facebook group in relation to this topic, it ‘triggered’ me and was glad that someone else shared more or less the same thought. Unfortunately the comment got less response from members of the group. It was worth the thought and sharing to get a much broader insight about the biological system and development. The documentairy In Utero, released in 2016, made me think why the process and experience from conception to birth including life in the womb, could not be also relevant for other mammals. The Canine as a species and our labeled ‘purebred’ breeds included, as the Dobermann.
The inbred figures from the Dobermann is alarming, there is nothing to breed away from. Unsound temperament, genetic diseases, the lack of working mentality, lack of (high)preydrive, bidabillity and intelligence is a common fact. It all has a influence at their imunne system so they are obviously sensitive for environmental stress ( because of inbreeding ). Genetic variability is the essence for maintaining an organism’s vitality and fitness ( can accomplished through cross breeding ). Without it stress can also become a ‘trigger’ to develop a genetic disease as for example DCM. Environmental stress is used across variety fields of biology.
My main focus in relation to environmental stress ( biologicaol pathway ) starts in the beginning of a breeding process. The female and her mating partner they both must be healthy and sound in temperament. I don’t have to go through all the important matters because they must be common knowledge. What is misunderstood is the fact that the female must accept the male in a natural way, if not this can have influence at the whole further process. Just let them alone in all comfort and you will see ( or not ) natural behavior what is common as a forplay behavior, before starting with the mating. It isn’t necessary to push or support them by a stud dog handler/mating assistent, healthy and sound dogs don’t need human assistance. Believe there are some seriously mental or physical problems if they can not mate by themself. Better not breed such a combination at all. Rape is a criminal act also in dog breeding , it is very stressful for the female. A other point is the fact that if a unsound and nervous female is pregnant her mental well-being is for sure from influence to the unborn/s. The concentration of stress hormones in amniotic fluid and fetal metabolism rises. It is been proven through studies in humans that brain development can come under pressure because of stress from the mother. This must be the same in the Canine species although that is my thought. If this same female has given birth and not is capable to deal with motherhood you can imagine that the little ones are developing also unstable and are not in harmony. This is very common in the Dogdom world and I have experience these situations by many breeders. New puppy owners including myself can be suprised why their so called ‘ Tabula Rasa’s ‘ show some behavior as for example, being fearful or restless. It isn’t also rare that breeding with such unstable dogs is a normal fact. It happends over and over again with result unstable dogs from nature. This is what I would call the chicken and egg situation. The outcome is the same poor temperament, by stress and inherited through genes. Generation after generation and the only solution to stop this process is to get rid of those breeding dogs, by not use them further. The Dobermann breed is a interesting study in this matter.
The Dobermann is so far I have experience a sensitive breed in the relationship with his/her owner. I mean this in a positive way and they show much affection and are in their best element to be around the family. Not reading them well or push them into something they can’t deal with or have no intrinsic motivation for, is not wise. Too often stress is the result of human actions that works against the nature of the Dobermann. At the long term it can have a consequence for more than only the relationship.
Through cross breeding you can and will dilute many problems what is so ‘fixed’ in the breed. The Dobermann Community is responsible to do what all is in their power to move the process on. That is why I think that a landrace as the AfriCanis could be so beneficial for overall health, fitness and vitality. They have proper natural behavior and are not complicated in their language and activities. Too many ‘purebred’ breeds are so stuck by the way they were selecting for and it has been damaged their nature for being just a dog at the first place. A Dobermann is and must be a dog first, by doing also DOGGY THINGS, many don’t have these normal and natural traits in them, they are so aloof or the opposite to reactive. Any dog must get enough quality time to be mentaly well and to excel in their job or sportive activity.
Breeding Better for the Future is also about awareness of the consequences from unhealthy-chronic stress in our Dobermann. Not even mentioned the stress many owners experience because of the emotional impact it can have by owning a breed what is so unhealthy.
Living with and loving the breed must not be overruled by stress or stressfull situations!
https://www.inuterofilm.com/trailer
https://www.futuremedicine.com/doi/full/10.2217/epi-2016-0075
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