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Genetic conditions are a problem in some dogs, particularly purebreeds:- Hip dysplasia primarily affects larger breeds.
- Luxating patellas can be a problem for smaller breeds.
- Genes for blindness or deafness seem to be carried by some breeds.
- In some dogs, such as collies, the blue merle or harlequin coloring is actually the heterozygote of a partially recessive gene preventing proper development of the nervous system; therefore, if two such dogs are mated, on the average one quarter of the puppies will have severe genetic defects in their nervous systems and sensory organs ranging from deafness to fatal flaws.
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