Each breed of dog is known to be susceptible to certain illnesses, such as heart problems, eye disorders, or thyroid problems. Why do dog breeders often go to great lengths to breed a dog that's unrelated to a dog they want to breed?
A) Individuals closely related are more likely to have the same deleterious genes.
B) Individuals closely related are less likely to want to mate.
C) Breeding individuals that are closely related may produce an interesting new set of characteristics.
D) Breeding individuals that are closely related will result in greater fitness for the offspring.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Breeding closely related individuals increases the chance that they will both carry and pass on the same deleterious genes, which can increase the likelihood of inherited health problems in their offspring. By breeding dogs that are unrelated, breeders can reduce the chance of passing on these genes and improve the health of future generations.

Each Breed of Dog Is Known to Be Susceptible to Certain