Why crossbreeding could be the answer to purebred problems

A veterinary expert at Massey University believes dog breeding has "got into trouble".

"With some breeds... breed standards seemed fine when they were developed quite a while ago... but repeated use of those standards has bred dogs which have become problematic," Craig Johnson, a professor of veterinary neurophysiology, told Stuff's daily podcast Newsable.

Johnson points to pugs and their breathing problems as an example.

READ MORE: Billionaire duke's wedding could finally change outdated British rule

READ MORE: Glee star confuses fans with new baby's name

"The breeding standard said that the noses should be short, and as noses have got shorter, initially that was fine... but now the noses are very short and those dogs are having problems breathing."

Johnson's comments come after a vet professer in the United Kingdom told media outlet The Guardian that dog breeding needs a "reboot" to halt health problems.

That particular expert said crossbreeding could be the solution, with the idea that once a particular feature had been improved by introducing new genetic stock, eventually the dogs would be bred back to be purebreeds.

READ MORE: The Sopranos' Jamie-Lynn Sigler reveals near-death experience

"That's certainly an answer and would work very well," Johnson says.

"The problem with that... is really an administrative problem for the dog breed associations.

"If you introduce new genetic material into a breed, with the current regulations you couldn't register the puppies as that breed and so you would effectively be removing the animals from that breed."

Newsable is Stuff's daily news podcast, wrapping up what's worth talking about in a short package every weekday morning. Make sure to like and follow us wherever you get your podcasts.

FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest in celebrity, lifestyle and opinion via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.