I've officially been accepted to study Veteriany Nursing in September?

Question

I've been coming on the dog's section regulalrly for over a year now, anyone who knows me will know i applied to study Vet Nursing last year and guess what- i'm accepted! My dream of working in veterinary care takes off from September onwards :)

I just wanted to let anyone who knows me know. Now for a question: Intebreeding- always wrong or sometimes the right thing to do??

Answer 1

Well done...

Answer 2

Congrats. I'm glad you have the career you want in front of you. It is something I tried before but got fed up just being treated as a glorified skivvy. My experience was nothing but mopping, hoovering, washing, scrubbing, cleaning, laundry, picking up body parts and poo....

As for inbreeding- I don't think it is the best way of breeding but I do think that in order to fix a genetic trait in an animal you originally have to breed offspring back to parent to gain a homozygous animal.

For example breeding 'colour morphs' in reptiles. When a mutant gene crops up (which is a natural thing and what shapes evolution) then in order to make more with the same colour or pattern you have to breed the offspring back to the original mutant-gene holder, ie, its parent or grandparent.

However reptiles do not have pedigrees, not formal ones anyway. Therefore after you have a load of say snakes or geckos which now hold this rare gene you can outcross them to other snakes/geckos of the same species who are unrelated, before mating them back to the originals again, and so on, therefore furthering the mutant gene but also allowing genetic diversity. Pedigrees forbid mating a dog breed to any other breed therefore it is complete inbreeding, instead of an occasional line-breeding to fix a trait. Many people will come up with the idea that family matings are ALWAYS wrong, that in fact deliberately breeding anything for its appearance is wrong. I don't think it is. I think breeding animals in different colours and coats can be fascinating and something which is natural for us to want to do- we are creative, visual and intelligent animals, who find a lot of pleasure in the aesthetics of the natural world and animals.



Also remember that dog breeders have changed the body shape of a dog, not just its coat colour or something minor like that. More so than any other animal. There is no way you can be sure what is happening to the structure on the inside when changing the shape of an animal just to fit a certain exterior look. Therefore breathing problems, hip dysplasia, inward growing eyelashes etc etc result. Evolution shaped the wolf to be an fit and healthy animal that will survive. Some dog breeds arose for practical roles such as hunting etc and back when they were first bred they were all quite healthy. You can make a dog a bit shorter, have slightly longer ears etc without any major harm done, but then it becomes solely about appearance and the dog is a living sculpture, not only that but they must be severely inbred to maintain 'type' and purity. I definately do not agree with that. If it is not a useable, practical, enjoyable body for an animal to be born into, it shouldn't be bred.

Answer 3

Congratulations!

Regarding your question- Interbreeding always wrong.  In fact, with the surplus of dogs in shelters needing homes around the world, maybe we should hold off on breeding all together.  

Answer 4

Congratulations!

It feels great when you know you are studying for your career now and not a load of subjects - some of which you probably wouldn't of chose.

I don't think it is 'right', actually. But I do have quite strong opinions with the way dogs should (need) to be bred. Interbreeding isn't one of them.

Answer 5

Many congratulations on being accepted to study Vet Nursing, you have done very well to achieve what you wanted.

I think there may be a case for inter-breeding where medical conditions require it.

Good Luck!

Answer 6

CONGRATULATIONS! im a vet nurse myself and its a very rewarding job but not in the wages sense (awful money).

as for you question it depends what breeds you are breeding and why you are doing it.

Answer 7

Congratulations you.