Popular sires
​
​The Kennel Club writes, “Popular sires, or male dogs that are used to produce large numbers of puppies, are one of the biggest contributors to a reduction in genetic diversity, an increase in inbreeding and elevated levels of genetic diseases within a breed." The KC's population analysis, undertaken in 2015, revealed that "There appears to be extensive use of popular dogs as sires in Glens”
and this practice has, sadly, continued since then.
​
One of the breed clubs has issued guidance to stud dog owners and breeders to protect the future health and genetic diversity of the Glen of Imaal Terrier. The EFG Code of Ethics recommends, “Dog not to produce more than six UK-bred litters over the course of his lifetime”.
Puppy buyers: Ask the breeder about popular sires
​
Glen of Imaal Terrier Population Analysis 1980 - 2014
​
In 2015, the Kennel Club undertook breed population analyses for all registered breeds … and produced some helpful ‘infographics’ to simply explain:
​
-
The detrimental impact a popular sire can have on a breed
-
Inbreeding
-
Effective population size
​
Please click on images below ...
The detrimental impact a popular sire can have on a breed
​
-
The analysis revealed, "There appears to be extensive use of popular dogs as sires in Glens”
-
The Kennel Club warns, " ... excessive use of any males can be detrimental to the over-all population”​
Inbreeding
​
-
The Kennel Club explains, "Inbreeding is the mating of related individuals, and the sharing of genetic material from common ancestor(s)"
-
The analysis demonstrated that, “… the rate of inbreeding in Glens has remained relatively steady but rather high” (1980 - 2014)
-
The Kennel Club warns, "Popular sires ... are one of the biggest contributors to ... an increase in inbreeding"
Effective population size
​
-
The Kennel Club writes, "An effective population size (Ne) that is less than 50 is considered to be at high risk of detrimental effects of inbreeding."
-
The estimated effective population size for the 5-year period 2010 to 2014 = 32.2 (<50)
-
The Kennel Club warns that breeds with an effective population size of less than 50 are, "... at risk of detrimental effects of inbreeding which could increase the chances of the breed being at risk for both known and unknown inherited disorders."