Well, in response to the genetic effects..
It's not surprising to me that unfortunately while there was a small selection of wolves used in the foundation of the breed, overall the breed's health is affected by largely GSDs, which IMHO is one of the most health-plagued breeds there are.
Don't think that back then there was the possibility of limiting DM, and while there is the possibility now, many GSD breeders don't even test for it because it's become so embedded in all lines that it wouldn't mean much for their breeding choices.
While its entirely possible that wolves may have bad hips, a part of me says that bad hips in Vlcaks can largely be attributed to their GSD lineage, which popular stud syndrome may or may not have excerbated.
As always, linebreeding and tightly breeding small groups establishes 'type' and can be helpful to eliminate certain unwanted traits, yet can also stabilize unwanted traits into a breed as well, sometimes unknowingly until generations later.
It's nothing special to Vlcaks, I'm sure you know, though. It's all part and parcel of the art of purebred dogs.
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