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Originally Posted by Slap Maxwell  They don't breed every female that is birthed. One breeder in particular had a line of TSW Americans that had been in progress for about 12 years. You cannot show animals who are obviously sick. Their bone structure is felt, they need to be in good weight, have good teeth, good feet, a shiny, healthy coat, and some of the breeds are classed upon their liveliness. |
None of these things would weed out bladder stones, OD, early stage cataracts, tumors, etc. My satin pig is the shiniest, most beautiful pig in the world. But on his bad days he hops. Not to mention that most show pigs are retired while they're very young. Again, before serious genetic issues show up.
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Originally Posted by Slap Maxwell As far as knowing about the genetic issues that happen to guinea pigs, of course they do. That is WHY they breed. To weed out these into an pig that is going to live long and healthy. The breeder with the TSW line showed me her seniors from her first 5 years working with them, they look wonderful. (No not 12 year old pigs, but 10 and 8 year olds, yes.) |
You seem to be missing my point. She couldn't have known those pigs were going to be healthy when she started breeding them. You can't breed a 12 year old pig. You can't breed a 5 year old pig. It is not possible to identify these genetic issues in pigs at a young age, except for the most gross genetic deformities and abominable issues. There are random mutt pigs on GL that live to be between 8-10. Surely you don't suggest that backyard breeders and accidental pregnancies are bettering the breed?
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Originally Posted by Slap Maxwell Those who I met don't breed anything until it has been shown. That way they reduce the number of what is deemed as "pet quality" pigs produced. |
Again, taking pigs to a show is like picking from a beauty pagaent. Judges cannot see genetic flaws. Nor can breeders know them until they appear, at which time a pig can already have 6-7
generations of flawed young out and making babies of their own from their breeder buddies.
Again, I want to reiterate. When breeding after a certain age is risky to impossible due to physically problems on the part of the animal, and genetic problems only show up after that period, it is almost impossible to knowingly select to remove those genetic problems. (I say almost, because I assume with enough research in the future, DNA testing may be feasible. I know it isn't now, nor do I know of any breeder that wouldn't balk at spending that kind of money on their pigs, regardless of what they preach about "improving" guinea pigs).