Learn how some breeders use inbreeding as a tool to set positive traits, as well as the negatives of inbreeding, like the possibility of inherited medical disorders.

What is Inbreeding?

The term inbreeding refers to breeding two cats together that are very closely related. This includes mother to son, father to daughter, sibling to sibling, and usually half-sibling to half-sibling, though some breeders consider this line breeding.

What is Line breeding?

Line breeding is still a form of inbreeding, though it refers to more distant relationships between the breeding cats. This includes, but is not limited to, cousin to cousin, aunt to nephew, uncle to niece, grandfather to granddaughter, etc.

Why is Inbreeding Used?

Inbreeding techniques are used differently among different species and different breeds, but it does seem that cats in general are more closely inbred in many circumstances, than are dogs. The reason inbreeding is used is because it helps breeders to set traits and characteristics that they are looking for in their breed standard. In Persian cats, for example, the breeder is striving for the perfect head and face structure. If they have a perfect stud male who produces a daughter that is just as perfect, they may later breed him to her so that all the kittens from their litter are more likely to be perfect little Persians.

What are the Negative Effects of Inbreeding?

There are, however, risks associated with inbreeding. Any negative physical traits may also get locked in, as may health disorders. Again using Persians as an example, if both father and daughter have excessive tearing or respiratory problems because of their “perfect” extreme noses, these characteristics will also pass on to their kittens. Cats that are severely inbred have weakened immune systems. In some countries, inbreeding of animals is prohibited.

What is Outcrossing?

Outcrossing refers to the breeding of two cats with no common ancestors. Some breeders consider outcrossing to include two cats that have no common ancestors within the past three generations. Many times breeders will take a kitten produced from inbreeding and outcross her when she is bred. Then her kittens might be line bred back into the breeder’s original line.

Inbreeding in the Wild

Of course inbreeding happens naturally in the wild between cats (or any animal) that live in one general area and have a small selection of breeding males, who continue to mate with siblings, as well as their own offspring, depending on the population and circumstances. This does cause problems in the wild. Many species are facing extinction due to low birth rates, weak immune systems, inherited illness, and other problems.

Should Breeders Still Use Inbreeding?

There are certainly good reasons and bad reasons to use inbreeding. Breeders must be ethical and responsible when considering the use of inbreeding in their breeding program. Even though a breeder is striving to create the perfect specimen of their breed, they must also make sure that their breeding cats are perfectly healthy before risking producing kittens with genetic health problems.

What this means to the average family looking for a healthy, happy kitten is that you should always seek reputable, knowledgeable, experienced breeders. There is a difference between a back yard breeder who has one stud male and continually breeds him with his offspring just to produce kittens, regardless of what traits, physical or genetic, that they are passing on to their kittens, and a reputable breeder who inbreeds once to set a face type.

Source: Tennessee Persians