Comments on Nature vs Nurture: What's Up for Vital Animals' Futures?

Another fabulous article, Dr. Will. We've decided that our next pair of dogs will be from a natural rearing breeder. Every dog we've owned was from a shelter, rescue or conventional breeder; ALL had health/mental problems and lived lives that were too short. We feed raw meaty bones and are fortunate to get pasture-raised meats and eggs. I have no doubt our previous dogs were all damaged by being vaccinated and fed kibble while with their previous owners and breeders. It's impossible to produce healthy off-spring with pitiful nutrition and it's known that vaccines alter and damage DNA.
I'm so grateful to NR breeders and vets like you who are truly making a tremendous difference and literally, saving their breeds. We met a doctor years ago who remarked that the only animals and humans who will survive will be the unvaccinated. I know many conventional breeders are seeing all kinds of genetic defects in their lines, their females cannot conceive and reproduce, and entire litters are still born. It's proof that poor nutrition and vaccines are an absolute disaster.
We know a woman who owns a naturally raised Labrador and this dog is incredibly healthy and intelligent. No strange behaviors or fears and absolutely no disease. She told us that as a pup, this boy was potty trained in just 2 days. We're so looking forward to having healthy, smart, NR dogs! Just as God intended.

This is a wonderful overview of the topic and I'm hoping that there's more to come on the subject in future postings. My newest puppy will be one of those success stories but it's going to take a good 12-14 years to be official.
I subscribe to several pet listservs with one specifically dedicated to researching the genetics of a particular breed to help prevent, in the future, some of the terrible diseases that take our dogs. Looking into how one can change the bad genes homeopathically so they don't get passed down to future generations seems to me a better focus than just amassing statistics and then praying some scientist in some laboratory somewhere comes up with a cure. That's just not going to happen with conventional pharmaceuticals, which add to our dogs' troubles and shortened lifespans.
Hahnemann was a genius of mammoth proportions and I really appreciate those like Dr. Falconer who have raised this amazing science to new heights. Ever onward forward...

There is a fabulous book about this. The Genie In Your Genes: Epigenetic Medicine and the New Biology of Intention by Dawson Church. It is one of the best books I have ever read. We have a lot of control over how our genes are expressed, for us and for our furry companions. And being able to solve problems in a pet that came from their previous surroundings or breeding is so wonderful. I used to think that with enough love they would be okay....I was wrong....homeopathy can work those miracles, along with love.

My last 4 dogs came from rescue so no way to know background. Once in a while a smidgen of information and yet all have been very friwendly and easy to work with when at the vet or anywhere.
My former vet, now retired told me once that I made a beliver of him.
I asked what he ment.
He had a running argument with a friend. He felt that genetics had more influence on a animal and his friend felt that enviroment did.
He then said, and now you come along. Your dogs are not related. Some you found ,some came from rescue, some were given to you and yet when they come in here to have foxtails removed from noses or teeth cleaned ( before a raw diet ) they are all cooperative and easy to work with.
I took that as a wonderfull complement.
Anne