When is a breed not a breed?

[halo]

I forwarded this post of mine from the barred rock thread to start a new discussion, so I don't hijack the previous thread.

This brings up some interesting points. At what point is a breed not a breed? Obviously, barred rocks with white legs havent been bred to standard, and probably havent been for a while. Its a disqualification, according to the SOP. So are they barred rocks? I have been following some of the marans discussion, and some people think that a marans hen that doesnt lay at least a 4 egg isnt a marans, just due to the definition.

I would think Orpington breeders would be horrified to end up with chicks with yellow legs; hopefully they wouldnt be used as breeders, but would they still be Orpingtons?

If a breeder is breeding dalmations, and has a pup with no spots, is that pup still a dalmation?

Is breed definition defined by the animal standing in front of you, or does it depend on his genetic heritage?

 

[Domestic_goddess]

My head is spinning from all that!......so I'll just give you bump and see what others might say!

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

In my book, a breed stops being a breed when individuals start taking on separate breed attributes.

For example. Is this a Weimeriner or a Labrador?

The body looks nothing like a Labrador, yet the fur says Weimereiner. Yet the ears say Labrador.

 

[okiehen]

Quote:
Yes its still a Dalmatian and DNA would back this up.

Some smart intelligent person needs to start DNA testing chickens.
I was thinking the other day if DNA would or is being used in chickens.

 

[geareduplyn]

When showing, the phenotype is the only thing a judge can go by. We are not yet recquired to have a DNA certificate as well. I've seen some cross breeds that were wonderful examples of a breed.

 

[speckledhen]

You could say it ceases to be a breed when it stops breeding true (BBS colors aside), but then , what is the difference between that and just an odd bird popping up on occasion, such as BBS Orps producing chicks with yellow legs from when a certain hatchery bred in Blue Rocks? Good discussion here.

 

[Foxhound lady]

Just because a barred rock doestnt have yellow legs doesnt mean its not a barred rock.

Sable is a DQ color in cocker spaniels and you see a lot of them running around doesnt mean that they arent cocker spaniels

 

[geareduplyn]

Quote:
Yes its still a Dalmatian and DNA would back this up.

Some smart intelligent person needs to start DNA testing chickens.
I was thinking the other day if DNA would or is being used in chickens.

I would hope that even though it is still a Dalmation. It would be spayed or neutered and placed as a pet.

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

Quote:
Yet they are poor examples of a breed and will only continue to breed more inferior examples which could be sold as a breed that they represented once upon a time.

 

[speckledhen]

I would not breed a Barred Rock with white legs, personally, unless I was crossing it with something else to make some sort of hybrid.