Should people quit breeding dog breeds that couldn't survive on their own?

[Pat and Traveler]

This is a comment from a discussion about bulldogs:

"Honestly, I think breeders would be smarter if they BRED OUT those characteristics that make them difficult to survive. A large number of bulldogs have breathing difficulties, and need soft palate resections (reduces the amount of "roof of the mouth" so they can breathe better). If breeders would stop with the stocky, big head types, and try to breed in the smaller head, taller dogs, then maybe the breathing difficulties would start to improve as well as birthing difficulties. People are stupid though and they want those stocky big-headed bulldogs because they look tough and manly. Bulldogs actually have anatomically smaller and shorter airways as well because of all the muscle and meat in their necks. If breeders would start breeding out the bigheaded ones, then bulldogs would have more of a chance.

I don’t think any breeds should be bred out except for the designer breeds (labradoodles, etc). Think about it- not many of our breeds of dog would survive without us anyway. Tiny chihuahuas wouldn’t make it 5 minutes in the wild without getting eaten. Long-haired breeds wouldnt last in the summer, and short haired breeds may not last the winter."

 

Note that this poster does believe that designer breeds such as labradoodles should be bred out--though no reason is given!!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

It really is sad that a breeder, who should love their breed more than anything else, would think it was ok to work toward offspring who are not healthy.  Dogs aren't meant to survive in the wild, but they should be as sturdy as we can make them.

[Pat and Traveler]

I agree, Nancy.  There is some kind of show-dog syndrome that is spooky--constantly breeding for a certain appearance regardless of the problems it may cause for the dog.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I do think that some breeds, and the bulldog is a good example, have been purposely bred to have characteristics which predispose them to many health problems and that this is a travesty of breeding. As to the labradoodle comment, people say all sorts of things and it's best to take comments like this for what they are worth, nothing.

[Pat and Traveler]

These do seem like extreme health problems for the bulldog.  So the labradoodle comment is....hokum?  LOL

[F, Calla & Luca]

Not exactly, I don't know if an opinion can be hokum. The person who voiced it just has ludicrous opinions : )

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Nice try Pat! ;)

[Pat and Traveler]

Thanks, Ricki.  :)  But waitaminute--an opinion can't be hokum??  I'm so confused...I need hokum rules and instruction.  And I think this attempt is worth extra credit...yipeeee! 

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Pat, you have to watch out for F. She is wily. I believe she changes the rules at will in an attempt to keep us dazed and confused and of course hokumless.  Personally as much as I hate to admit it,  I think "ludicrous" does qualify as a hokum and she is intentionally withholding. But since it is YOU and not ME...whatever...

[Pat and Traveler]

Ha!  Ricki, that's exactly what I suspected--rules changing without apparent rhyme or reason...I've been forced to assign 10 hokums to myself to make up for these inconsistencies.  Wow!  That puts me in first place!  So amazing!

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I'm pretty sure that "NO self-hokuming" IS a rule but we will have to check with F.  Desperate competitive people...geez...

[F, Calla & Luca]

Most assuredly. A hokum has to come from someone else or be given to someone else. Not only would self-hokuming result in all sorts of skulduggery but why would a self respecting person spout hokum except in all due ignorance. But both of you get one hokum each for saying I change the rules willy nilly. That of course does not imply you are not dazed and confused if you say so.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I think that we need to start breeding out people who do stupid and cruel things to dogs to earn money and awards!! Oh, yeah and doodle haters too! :)