Problems with Purebreeds? Say It Ain't So!
Well--yes it’s true. We love the squashed-in nose and wrinkles of the bulldog; the tiny pocketbook size of the Yorkshire terrier; the ridged back on the Rhodesian Ridgeback. How could these be bad? Caution--a slight rant follows. *s*
A BBC show recently aired titled “Pedigreed Dogs Exposed” and did a lot of hand-waving and gasping about funny looking breeds, canine incest, and the problems inbreeding can cause. Well--yes and no. The show is available in segments here, so you can judge for yourself. I’m disappointed the presentation shows such a one-sided negative view, which makes me suspicious as a journalist. Rarely is something so black and white.
Yorkshire Terrier
Breeding for a particular look while neglecting temperament and health certainly is a recipe for disaster. But breeding d*gs that are closely related isn’t necessarily the cause--it can prompt both good and bad results.
Yes, extremes of conformation can prove hostile to the survivability of d*gs. I mean, if you breed a d*g to have a wider head than hips, and make it impossible for natural birth, something’s gotta give, right? Yes, d*gs have been widely bred based on winning good looks and that has at times spreads hidden health issues as well. It’s the breed standards that require changing (the rules that govern how dogs should look) rather than the breeders that seek to conform to that “ideal.”
But beyond the show folks, I’m upset about the fad for pocket-book size “teacup” breeds that push the unscrupulous to provide unhealthy critters for our amusement. Just to be clear--their ain’t no such breed as a “teacup” anything, that’s marketing pure and simple to sell a product. Similarly, the -poo combinations do not necessarily impart any added health or behavior perk either to the d*g or the owner. But movies and celebrities spotlight the cutsie big-eyed creatures until trendy folks just burn to have one.
Over the centuries breeding purebred d*gs has evolved from finding two d*gs, putting them together, and hoping the pups will be as good or better than the parents. Today professional ethical breeders research the family tree of both parents, including temperament, health, and performance/work ability; they conduct health screenings for hips, eyes, and other concerns; and they keep records of what results so IF there’s a problem, they can track it and not repeat mistakes.
If show breeders are “bad guys” according to the BBC report, they’re also the ones supporting much of the research. Breed clubs push to discover and then eliminate health problems in various breeds, and find ways to prevent problems in the future.
Yes, there are some @!#$%^* people breeding d*gs and out only to make a buck. But their ‘products’ won’t make it in the show ring, and when the public gets sick of sick Puggles and Yorkipoos and extremes of conformation that hurt d*gs, many will go out of business.
The vast majority of purebred breeders and fanciers want to produce healthy, happy d*gs. They just don’t always agree on the best way to do it.
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