Immune System Breakdown: Comparing bp morphs to purebred dogs

[Jesse Hermanson]

My parents have lost three ridgebacks to cancer over the last 12 years. None of the dogs ever made it past 8 years of age. All three came from different breeders. First one died at 6. The second female died at 8 and the first female also died at 6.

Either they have really crappy luck, or there are issues in this breed.

We also have some friends who live in Poway (your neck of the woods?) who lost their first ridgeback, Enzo, to cancer and their second ridgeback Kobe to a heart condition. I need to check and see if their third ridgeback (Kali) is still alive.

That is very close to me. That is really sad. I personally believe cancer has to do with dog food but I cannot prove any of that. My Dobermans had many many more issues than my ridgeback and the ones I know. It may just be my circle of friends who have had good luck.

No matter what, it is important to make sure to introduce unrelated dogs/snakes into collections for new blood. No matter what if you keep and breed your own stock, without adding new blood frequently you are hurting the gene pool.
Dog breeding in general has alot of issues. It takes alot of dogs to make a certain breed so the genes SHOULD be strong. Line breeding or sticking with ones own stock ends up bringing out any genetic issues that may have been hidden.

Anyway, great posts all around. You have alot of good info in them. And I agree with them. In my personal experience I have seen Ridgebacks that are very hearty and healthy. But I cannot base the entire population on that I guess.
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