[tjherman]

I believe there is some confusion about inbreeding and linebreeding.

From River Road Hamstery's Syrian Hamster Genetics, here are the major breeding techniques:

There are two main breeding techniques - selection and crossing. Selection is the careful choosing of individuals for mating, allowing only the best to become parents of the next generation.

The second breeding technique, crossing, is the pairing of the selected individuals so that the best offspring possible can be produced.

Inbreeding involves crosses of first degree relatives. This is done to concentrate desirable genes. Unfortunately, it will also concentrate undesirable genes so it must be accompanied by rigorous selection. Sometimes, because of limited stock, inbreeding is the only way to develop a line. The inbreeding crosses are the backcross (offspring bred to one of its parents) and the sibling cross (brother bred to sister). Of the two, the sibling cross is considered to be the most risky.

Linebreeding is the pairing of more distantly related animals. Examples are cousin to cousin, aunt to nephew and grandfather to granddaughter. Linebreeding is a slower process than inbreeding when used to perfect traits, but it is considered somewhat safer with respect to creating genetic defects.

Outcrossing is the breeding of totally unrelated animals. It is typically done when you have exceptional animals in every respect but one. A selected individual from the line will be bred to an unrelated animal that has the desired trait. Selected offspring will then be bred back into the line. Even without consideration for show standards, outcrossing is a good way to maintain the production of vigorous animals. (Most mutations for defects are recessive so outcrossing decreases the chance that a defective trait will surface.)