Purebred dogs have their benefits but at a price. Purebred dogs experience a number of health problems that are often related to overbreeding. Better breeders work toward correcting some of these problems, but less reputable breeders or puppy mills continue overbreeding and inbreeding practices to the detriment of the dogs.
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Bone Issues
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Overbreeding dogs may result in bone problems in the breed, as noted by Time Magazine. About 60 percent of golden retrievers experience hip dysplasia, which causes the ball part of the hip to continually partially slip out of the socket. The sliding causes pain and discomfort to the dog and may even lead to the need to euthanize the dog. Slipping kneecaps may also occur. Like dysplasia, patellar luxation occurs when the knee cap slips out of place, causing pain and inflammation. Both issues lead to osteoporosis if not corrected, according to the website Dog Breed Facts.
Immunity and Blood Problems
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PBS describes different autoimmunity and blood disorders that may occur because of overbreeding. For instance, Bassett hounds and Doberman pinschers both have a genetic predisposition to blood clotting issues; blood fails to clot properly, which causes bruises and hemorrhaging. Bassett hounds are also known to have primary severe combined immunodeficiency. Some breeds are prone to Addison's disease, which affects the adrenal glands. Other dogs, such as the Samoyed, poodle and West Highland terrier, may be affected by diabetes mellitus. With this disorder, dogs cannot properly process carbohydrates and sugars.
Hearing and Vision Deficiencies
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Some of the more common genetic defects because of overbreeding affect dogs' hearing and vision. Dalmatians, as noted by Time Magazine, may be born deaf or lose hearing gradually. Other dogs that may lose hearing include English setters and Australian cattle dogs. Cataracts may be a problem among dog breeds such as the Alaskan malamute, Siberian husky and bichon frise. The Dog Breed Facts website lists a number of other eye diseases that occur as a result of overbreeding, including ectropion, glaucoma and progressive retinal atrophy. Collie breeds experience a specially named problem known as collie eye anomaly in which the retina becomes detached because of a blood supply issue, which then leads to blindness in the affected eye.
Intestinal and Cardiac Conditions
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Purebreds that have been overbred are susceptible to certain intestinal, digestive and cardiac conditions as well. One such issue is called canine gastric delation-volvulus, more commonly referred to as bloat. The stomach of dogs suffering from bloat swells up with fluids and gas. As the swelling occurs, the stomach twists in place; any gas within is then trapped and the blood supply to the other digestive organs is cut off. Bloat can rather quickly kill dogs if not rushed to a vet. Breeds affected by bloat include the Weimaraner, Great Dane, greyhound and other breeds with large chests. Another malady that kills quickly is cardiac arrest. Dogs suddenly experience cardiac arrest and drop dead on the spot in some cases. As with bloat, this affects a number of larger big-chested dog breeds.
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