Inbreeding and the immune system: unintended consequences

Inbreeding has destroyed the English bulldog’s genetic diversity

Is Inbreeding Always Bad? Why Mating With Your Family Can Be Both Good And Bad

Inbreeding in animals basically means mating relatives—siblings, parents‑offspring, cousins, etc. When that happens, a few things tend to show up: - *Hidden genetic problems surface*: recessive genes that were masked get paired up, so you see more birth defects, weak immune systems, or higher disease rates. - *Fertility drops*: litters or claws become smaller, and sometimes the animals can’t reproduce at all. - *Growth and performance slow down*: the offspring often put on less weight, produce l