Introduction

Inbreeding is a process by which two closely related animals have offspring. This can happen when a dog that is related to another dog breeds with it, or when two dogs that share a common ancestor breed with each other. Inbreeding is also known as line breeding, in which the parents of an animal have themselves been line-bred for several generations and are therefore more closely related than average. Although inbreeding may create puppies with desirable traits like size and coat color, it does increase the risk of some health problems in dogs. If you suspect your Shih Tzu has been inbred, there are tests you can take to find out for sure and what you should do if there’s evidence of genetic defects among its ancestors.

Inbreeding is when two animals that are closely related have offspring.

Inbreeding is when two closely related animals have offspring. For example, if you breed your Shih Tzu to another Shih Tzu that is a close relative, such as its brother or sister, this could be considered inbreeding.

Inbreeding can be done intentionally or accidentally. It can also be done for a specific reason or for no reason at all. In general, however, inbreeding increases the chances of health problems being passed on from one generation to the next.

The first signs of inbreeding may be apparent when the puppy is born.

First signs of inbreeding might be apparent when the puppy is born. Some of these signs include physical abnormalities like missing limbs, hair loss, and neurological disorders. Behavioral abnormalities can include aggressive tendencies and low intelligence. Reproductive abnormalities may also occur if both parents are related to each other or if they share similar ancestry.

A splayed or twisted foot is also a sign of inbreeding.

Another sign of inbreeding is a splayed or twisted foot. This can result from an underdeveloped heel bone, which gives the dog’s feet an unusual angle. Symptoms include lameness, pain, and difficulty walking on slippery surfaces.

A splaying or twisted foot is not always a sign of inbreeding, however—it may be hereditary as well.

Dogs that are inbred may also have asymmetrical features and a distinctive domed head.

If you’re worried your Shih Tzu is inbred, look out for these features.

• The ears may point in different directions or be lopsided on the head, causing unevenness and asymmetry in the dog’s face.
• The eyes may also be asymmetrical, with one eye larger than the other or set at different heights on their faces.
• If they have a domed head (which you can see by looking at the top of their heads), that can indicate that they are inbred as well.

Genetic testing can shed light on whether your dog has a DNA signature associated with inbreeding.

Genetic testing can shed light on whether your dog has a DNA signature associated with inbreeding. The test will reveal whether your Shih Tzu is a carrier of any specific diseases, such as hip dysplasia or eye problems like glaucoma, cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA).

It’s important to do genetic testing on breeding dogs because it helps you predict what traits the offspring might inherit from their parents. If a parent has certain bad genes or carries a harmful trait that could be passed down to its puppies, those puppies will be less likely to end up with the same disease if they don’t have those same genes themselves.

Signs of inbreeding may be apparent at birth, but these are not conclusive and a genetic test can tell you if your dog has been inbred.

• Signs of inbreeding may be apparent at birth, but these are not conclusive and a genetic test can tell you if your dog has been inbred.
• A puppy with one blue eye and one brown eye is likely to have been bred from two dogs with different phenotypes (eye colorings).
• If a puppy has physical features that are not characteristic of its breed, it may have been bred from two different breeds or types of dogs.

Conclusion

It’s important to remember that a dog that is inbred doesn’t automatically mean it’s going to be unhealthy or have genetic issues. It can be hard to tell if your dog has been inbred by simply looking at them, and most dogs will show signs of inbreeding when they are young. If you are concerned about whether or not your shih tzu might be inbred, talk with your veterinarian about getting one of the many genetic tests available today. These tests will give you more information on whether or not there is an increased risk for certain diseases when breeding with close relatives like siblings.”