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!!

[Pat and Traveler]

You put this very well, Kaytlin!

[Mike Gruenke]

I struggled with not posting a comment on this subject, I really did.

So here it goes!!!

For every breed of dog, there are people that will defend it's right to exist and perpetuate. For every breed, if you really look at the standards set down by; (let's use AKC), you'll find that the vast majority of the dogs you see of that breed do not even come close. Somewhere along the way, people decided that the Labrador Retriever needed to be larger, so that now you'll see a lot of Labradors well over breed standard. You'll also see some small ones, almost dainty looking, because some people just want a smaller dog, but want a Labrador type. I know cross breeding to other breeds has crept into many breeds, because somewhere a maybe well meaning breeder thought it might be better off. For an example: the modern Rough Coated Collie is shorter and hairier than Collies just 40 years ago.(Sheltie cross? For more profuse hair?) Although there are still some lines of the "old style" still around. When I was young there were Black Labs and Yellow Labs and although rare there were some liver colored Labs. How do you really figure people got Black to White and just about every color in between? Most Silver Labs to me look as though there might be some Wiemeramer in there. The reds have a bit of a Visla tendancy to me. What about the brindles?

Many Pugs have the same Bulldog smashed in face problems and so do the Pekinese. Any of those short smushed in face dogs have the problem and they are specifically bred for that smushed in face. People that love those breeds will defend it.

Hairless dogs!!!! OMG, why would you want a dog without hair?

Great Danes..... why would you keep trying to breed taller dogs? They have a lot of leg problems.

Mastiffs, St. Bernards .... breeding for a larger heavier dog.... problems.

 

I like dogs.... ALL DOGS.   BTW ... You can't breed out mutts! ....LOL ... ( For all those people that call my dogs mutts.)

 

 

 

[Pat and Traveler]

Maybe we (humans in general) just can't help tinkering.  Sounds like maybe some breeders have added little 'improvements' of their own along the way.