[capt_noonie]

If man did not have anything to do with the reproduction of animals, then animals would experience true natural selection. Only the strongest of the species will survive. If two animals happened to mate, but their offspring were not healthy, the offspring would die. Only the strongest of the offspring would go on to produce more offspring, thus strengthening the species. Also the size of the mother, the father, etc, etc...

so many BYBs and millers nowadays want to breed the smallest, unhealthiest, weakest pups with their wallets in mind. Not strengthening the breed, but strengthening their own greed. So just b/c a pup is a mixed breed or a mutt doesn't mean his bad genes will negate themselves if mixed. If there is an unfavorable gene in their "pedigree" it can and will come out sometime. It is the responsibility of the good reputable breeder to be able to s/n the dogs that have unfavorable genes, and pass on the ones that have favorable ones.