I have read over both threads and would like to just type out my opinion on this.
I disagree with inbreeding in general, I would not do this if I breed any animal, which I do not. Therefor have a limited knowledge of genetics and even less of bearded dragon genetics. I'm just a owner. Personally because of inbreeding if I get another dragon I will not get a "pure" morph like a sandfire or citrus or flame ext. Because these come from inbreeding and a even smaller then the small US bloodline.
Sundial Reptile has a great point and Ill quote this from there site.
"We have put great care into our bearded dragon breeders and babies. With a lot of questionable breeding ethics in the bearded dragon market today, we are happy to offer our stock with integrity.
We have raised 95% of our breeders from hatchling size. Our adult groups come from a variety of sources and are unrelated to avoid problems commonly attributed to inbreeding. We do not practice color fixing, inbreeding, or line breeding for high color as has become common practice today. We outcross all of our dragons for hardiness and genetic diversity. We believe that inbreeding for high coloration has resulted in dragons that are weaker, smaller, and more prone to a variety of problems. And it is only getting worse. And why, when we can still produce colorful babies at the same time diversify the gene pool? This is why you will not see us crossing two like colors (ie. red x red or sandfire x sandfire). This is also why we are able to offer you a wide variety of color and patterning. We also try to use a lot of German blood in our bloodlines for additional diversity, hardiness, and size."(
http://sundialreptile.com/aboutus.htm under "about our bearded dragons")
This I think shows a good way to get color. Look at there dragons they don't have any pure morphs yet still have the colors of some. If it comes to getting another dragon this will be a breeder I look into.
I understand the small bloodlines in the US. Just think about it. You have unrelated but eventually cross together because each time a generation breeds it cuts down the unrelated genepool. But you can still wait 10 or so generations before inbreeding then wait another 10 to prevent problems. This is not what is happening because breeders don't have time to wait 10 generations they need the morphs now and that is causing problems.
With adeno-virus and inbreeding dragons in the US are weakening even more. And I have seen this through my own dragon. I do not know exactly where it came from but am 90% sure. And if it is then there is probably inbreeding in its line and possibly adenovirus. I believe this for 2 reasons. My dragons health problems and that the breeder I believe hatched her breeds translucent which are from inbreeding and is a large scale business not a breeder IMO. I have not tested her but me and my vet plan on getting her tested, Not that I want to breed her but because of the problems shes had. I will never breed her for the reasons above.
I always wonder why In leopard geckos and snakes you never see any albino x _____ or _________ x _________ So is inbreeding causing this or is there different names for crosses. The only ones I see are Hypo Tangerine. I know in corn snakes there are separate names though.
I call silkbacks a mutant because they are a genetic mutation and I don't consider super pastel ball pythons or albino geckos this because it does not effect there level of care as much as it does silkbacks. Silkbacks contradict the very thing beardies need. UVB. without it you have MBD problems. As of now there is no substitute for a UV light. Calcium with D3 helps but will not prevent it. The same goes for albino Beardies. They were hatched and all died because they cant have UV rays on them. So basically a dragon has been created that can not get the very thing it needs and craves. It is asking for trouble.
I am not trying to take sides. Nor start more of a fight than there already is. I would like to continue the educated discusion that is going on because I am learning a lot from it. So if anyone is wondering I am Against breeding Silkbacks, I'm against breeding Adeno positive or not tested dragons and I'm against inbreeding. I'm also against breeding for money. Or breeding for morphs.
Animals are not here to make money for us. They are here just like us. To live out our lives the best we can and survive. It may not seem like it to some. I have it when people say animals are here to serve us. We are a mammal a class of animals we just are more intelligent then others and more civilized.
I believe if silkbacks go into the market people will buy them because they look cool. Because they want something different. Its a trend, and animals should not be trends. Its like the tea cup Chihuahuas which are breed using the runts of the litter. Now they are a hit. I hate fads. Especially when animals are involved. Nothing should be weakend so the public likes it or for money.
With the government going into homes inspecting reptiles. I disagree but here in Mass a law may be passed so government goes into petstore and inspects. That is the extent that is good. Personally I don't want the government to tell us how to take care of beardies because if you look at the beardies at the national zoo in DC they are on a sand/gravel mix and 6 adults are housed together in a 6x3 cage and 3 are males the other 3 are small females that are about 15 inches long.
OK sorry for the HUGE rant.
Looking forward to future discussion on this thread.
Ben