Creating a new breed of Dog

It is a proven fact that mans best friend originates from the wolf. Evolution gave us Coyote, Fox, the first prehistoric canine was the Dire wolf, thought to be the original wolf, but recent scientific findings prove that they lived alongside their smaller counterparts the Wolf.

Wolves share 99% similar DNA to ALL dog breeds. It is considerably mind blowing to think that a Chihuahaua is 99% the same as a Canadian Timber wolf and is infact a human creation utilising the original function and physiology of the wolf.

For centuries mankind has bred dogs by selecting traits they find desirable together to create the shape of the hundreds of pedigree breeds we have now, from Pastoral dogs, hunting dogs, working dogs, there are many breeds now that are sadly so far changed from their natural function that they cannot infact live and survive without human intervention. Bulldogs more often than not need caesarian births, King Charles spaniels suffer from a genetic disposition that causes their brains to grow larger than their skulls, German Shepherds (the most wolf like form) are now bred for the show ring to be so slopping backed they look like cripples...what have we done???

All pedigree breeds only become so when they close their breed registry and only breed full "pedigree dog" to full "pedigree dog" meaning that there is no more fresh genes brought into the mix, so the obvious eventual outcome is that the genes are all the same in all of the dogs, no matter how many lines of parentage and ancestors are in the relevant breed.

The shape of the wolf is the natural correct conformation for the animal to function fully and to the best ability nature required, a long nose to cool air and be able to breath easily whilst on the run, sloping eye set to keep them safe from the elements, deep chest to give a good room for the heart and lungs.... if you think of it this way then what chance have half the breeds got that we mankind have produced.

Although I agree that most breeds where created for a function, how can we justify that certain breeds are fit for this function?

I am involved in the creation of a new breed "The British Utonagan" and it is, I find a very immotive subject, some people cry "you are playing at God" some people I feel are "pedigree snobs" and do not see why anyone would want to create a new breed as far as they are concerned there is no need to as there is already over 400 recognised breeds available.... I shall tell you why I feel it is a requirement and why I do not feel as if we are "playing at God"

Being involved with animals all my life I have seen many many pedigree dogs, a wide array of breeds, and yes I do find a lot of them stunning, but everyone I like has an impounded health problem, Boxers, Wolf Hounds, Deerhounds common to have a heart murmer (aortic stenosis), many many genetic problems in many breeds, those breeds that have been careful and only have a few genetic predispositions are not the right temperament for me and my lifestyle, and most importantly ALL the breeds have a closed gene pool, this I do not agree with. It is the intention of the British Utonagan to take the modern day science to ensure that a breed of dog can be started with health rather than looks or function to be uppermost on the scale.

All dogs even cross breeds carry 4 or 5 faulty genes it would be very niave to think that any breed new or not can be completelly perfect, fault free, but it is high time there was a breed that was as genetically sound as humanly possible. With all the health testing we have at our finger tips now and also with the ongoing work that the geneticists are carrying out researching DNA to try and create blood tests to tell if a dog is or is not a carrier of a disease I feel the time has well and truley arrived to try and create a healthy new breed of dog. Im sure there are many other people doing the same.

The British Utonagan has been produced based on the wolf, it will be the closest to the original dog in physical build and function as possible and the breed pool will always have an opening for fresh new lines. When I look at a lot of dog breeds I cannot imagine how the shape we have made them can do the dogs any good at all, Mother nature gave us a dog, the Wolf and as far as I am concerned she is always right.