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What do the terms inbreeding and linebreeding mean?

Article ID: 334
Last updated: 08 Sep, 2009
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Inbreeding means breeding closely related animals. Linebreeding is a form of inbreeding.

Pedigree (purebred) dog breeders tend to define inbreeding as breeding first-degree relatives: for example, mother to son, father to daughter. They define linebreeding as mating second-degree relatives, for example grandfather to granddaughter, first cousins, or more distant relatives that share a common ancestor.

Inbreeding and linebreeding both significantly increase the chance that the offspring will suffer from an inherited disorder. The only difference is in the level of risk: the more closely related the parents, the greater the chance of producing offspring with inherited disorders.

This website provides general information which must not be relied upon or regarded as a substitute for specific professional advice, including veterinary advice. We make no warranties that the website is accurate or suitable for a person’s unique circumstances and provide the website on the basis that all persons accessing the website responsibly assess the relevance and accuracy of its content.
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Attached files
file The effect of inbreeding on the incidence of inherited disorders.pdf (74 kb)

Also read
document What is a 'registered breeder'?

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