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Myths and Straight Coat Cavoodles: Understanding inbreeding and the Importance of COI

Writer's picture: W. WarrenW. Warren

Updated: Apr 23, 2023

There is a myth circulating that having both straight-coat and curly-coat puppies in the same litter is evidence that the breeder does not practice linebreeding. This statement is not necessarily true.

When closely related dogs are bred, they have a higher chance of inheriting the same harmful genes from their common ancestor. Over time, this can lead to an accumulation of harmful genes, resulting in a higher likelihood of genetic disorders and health problems in the offspring. In addition to physical health problems, linebreeding can also lead to behavioral and structural issues and reduced fertility in dogs. Therefore, responsible breeders prioritize minimizing the coefficient of inbreeding (COI) in their breeding programs to produce healthy puppies.

It is important to understand that the presence of straight coat puppies in a litter is not necessarily evidence that a breeder does not practice linebreeding. Linebreeding can still occur even in litters that produce puppies with a straight coat. The only way to confirm whether a breeder practices linebreeding or not is by examining the dog's pedigree or by testing for the genetic coefficient of inbreeding (COI). Testing for the COI is the most reliable way to prevent linebreeding among Cavoodles and Theodores.

The COI is a measure of the genetic relatedness between two individuals and is used to estimate the probability that two alleles (versions of a gene) at any given locus (position on a chromosome) in an individual are identical by descent, meaning they were inherited from the same ancestor. High levels of COI indicate a higher probability of linebreeding, which can lead to an increased risk of genetic disorders and health problems.

Therefore, responsible breeders should prioritize minimizing the COI in their breeding program to produce healthy puppies. They should also be transparent and provide the necessary information to potential buyers to make informed decisions about the genetic health of the puppies they plan to purchase. The average COI for our breeding-aged girls is 4.33%, whereas some purebreds have a COI of 30.1% or higher in some cases. This means our dogs with the low COI have a improved genetic variety than their foundation breeds. In general, mixed-breed dogs tend to have lower COI values than purebred dogs because they have a more diverse genetic background.


Overall, it is crucial to educate ourselves as potential dog owners about responsible breeding practices and the importance of genetic health in dogs. By supporting ethical breeders who prioritize the well-being of their dogs, we can help ensure a healthier future for our beloved furry companions.




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