"You could get the best of both breeds or the worst of both": UK public attitudes towards crossbreeding in dogs - with a specific focus on brachycephalic dogs.

ABSTRACT: Extreme conformation and reduced genetic diversity are recognised to lead to severely reduced health, welfare and longevity in certain dog breeds. There is growing interest in applying strategic crossbreeding to promote more moderate conformations and greater genetic diversity within currently problematic breeds. Crossbreeding could therefore lead to more rapid and effective improvements in welfare compared to current practices of within-breed selection. Deliberate crossbreeding between distinct different dog breeds is not a new concept; it was historically commonly used to create the current pure breeds, to increase genetic diversity and to bring new physical and/or temperament traits into existing breeds. However, a recent surge in the popularity of 'designer crossbreeds' (intentional cr

SUBMITTER: Youens E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12803474 | biostudies-literature | 2026

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature