In a May 2008 research journal article, “Population Structure and Inbreeding From Pedigree Analysis of Purebred Dogs”, by Federico C. F. Calboli, Jeff Sampson, Neale Fretwell, and David J. Balding. Genetics (May 2008) 179:593–601, the authors stated: “We have found that the loss of genetic diversity is very high, with many breeds losing >90% of singleton variants in just six generations.”

Add to that the fact that, on average, breeders exclude roughly 80% of each litter from breeding. So, even before genetic health considerations come into play, the vast majority of available genes are lost through each generation of a blood line.

So, before the knee-jerk finger of blame is pointed at the “health nazis” who advocate following genetic health testing and breeding protocols, as so many cavalier breeders are wont to do, they should look in a mirror and be more honest with themselves. I know, that is asking an awful lot.

There are solutions short of out-crossing with other breeds — although I see nothing wrong with that, since that is how the modern cavalier came into existence in the 1920s — and among them would be: (a) limiting the number of breedings a male may participate in (to avoid the affect of the Popular Sire Syndrome); and (b) wider availability of frozen semen from males in different countries.

The last thing that should be cut back is genetic health testing and following the major breeding protocols, including MVD and SM. I agree that cavaliers graded “D” for SM should not automatically be excluded, and that is the very reason that Dr. Clare Rusbridge provided for the use of D cavaliers in the SM breeding protocol.