overbreeding

1 7.1

Producing too many animals, causing health problems

noun
/ˌoʊvərˈbridɪŋ/

Specialized

: sobrecría

The excessive overbreeding of dogs has led to many health issues, including joint disorders.

Examples

Many veterinarians are concerned that overbreeding can lead to serious genetic problems in certain dog breeds.
They adopted his ideas that famine and disease were the result of overbreeding, so the victims should be allowed to die.

Blog text (17)
Animal shelters are often overwhelmed due to the overbreeding of pets by irresponsible breeders.

How Frequent

overbreeding

Specialized

1 7.1

breeding

Specialized

104 3.1

occasional

257 2.8

Surface Forms

overbreeding singular

overbreedings plural

Morphology

overbreeding = overbreed (transparent) = over + breed + ing

Formed from the verb 'overbreed' with the nominal/gerundial '-ing'; the meaning 'excessive breeding' is directly predictable.

Etymology

Overbreeding comes from over- meaning 'too much' and breed meaning 'to produce young' or a 'type' of animal, as in 'dog breed'. It literally means breeding animals too often or too much, which is why we use it for harmful breeding that causes health problems.