Heterosis Effect, Hybrid Dogs

Have you walked YOUR dog today?

Home > All Breeds > Purebreds > Hybrid Dogs > Find the Perfect Dog > Pets > All Creatures > Care Training+ > Photos > Submit a Picture > Free Desktop Wallpaper > Adopt a Rescue Dog > Place Rescue Ad > Puppies for Sale > Classifieds > Place Breeder Ad > Place a Banner on DBI > About the Ads > Breeders vs. Rescues > Spike the Bulldog > Maguire Farm > Scam Warning > Rescue Login > Breeder Login > Site Updates

	Custom Search

Heterosis Effect

Purebreds and inbreeds often carry genetic disease. Heterosis is a theory, where the phenomenon of crossing two inbred lines can produce descendants with superior genetic foundation. In addition to the absence of inbreeding depressing, present in inbreed and purebred dogs in general, there is some remote inbreeding in any breed. Heterosis is also produced by over dominance, i.e. better combined function of two diverse genes (alleles) on a gene site (locus), compared to two identical (but harmless) ones. This increased health and vigor does not create a superior breed, but the advantages obtained from it are what produce hybrid vigor. This goal in this scenario is not to create a new breed, but to create a happy and healthy pet.

Heterosis effect results in a healthier, more vigorous dog with a reduced chance of genetic disease. It is well known in all domestic animal breeding, hybrids, 50%-50% mixes of two different breeds, will raise the chances of having less genetic diseases because all doubling of detrimental effects will stop in the first generation. The genetic term for this is HETEROSIS EFFECT. This effect often gives non-related individuals stronger descendants than inbreeds.

Breeders who breed these hybrid dogs have stated their goal was to get healthy and happy dogs without genetic problems. Most breeders crossing with the poodle are looking for a soft silky non-shedding coat good for allergy sufferers.

The purpose of these hybrids is not and should never be to develop a new breed. Once one goes beyond first generation purebred to purebred, you loose the heterosis effect, which is the goal for most hybrid breeders. The mother should always be the bigger of the two, to avoid puppies getting too big and complicating the delivery for the mother. Heterosis is said to not only occur in the first generation, but also mating to a non related hybrid of same (or other) type will also show this effect, though the aspect of the offspring will be different. The hope is that the dogs will get the benefit of the greatly demanded HETEROSIS effect, and avoid genetic diseases which are common among purebreds and inbreeds.

Pictures of Mixed Breed Dogs

Hybrid Dog Information

Puppies vs. the Adult Dog