How can people own Brachycephalic dogs?
Discussion
Mr.Chips said:
My uncle bred German Shepherds. Are you saying that we shouldn’t breed them because some get hip displasia?
If we have the choice (for example, as with hip scores for Labradors), then no, we should certainly not breed from those dogs that show a genetic bias toward the problem.There are good and bad points to every breed. Some of the breeders exploit these. It's not the individual dog's fault. Colours are the main issue nowadays. In bulldogs it's the lilac/chocolate/merle that are labeled as rare colours. They aren't rare, they're not recognized as being breed standard and have been created with out breeding and often make much bigger issues with allergies, skeletal and what have you. So the flat nosed breeds need extra concern in warmer weather but most still enjoy a very healthy and excellent life. Straight out saying folk shouldn't own them is a tad extreme.
I have two Bostons - specifically found a breeder that didn’t breed very flat faces.
I’ve seen ones with a more pointy face but they’re few and far between.
5 years on, absolutely no issues with breathing, eating, regurgitating etc, and they can run for miles.
Does a good impression of a rabbit.
I’ve seen ones with a more pointy face but they’re few and far between.
5 years on, absolutely no issues with breathing, eating, regurgitating etc, and they can run for miles.
Does a good impression of a rabbit.
Mr.Chips said:
Apologies for having an opinion that some people disagree with!
My uncle bred German Shepherds. Are you saying that we shouldn’t breed them because some get hip displasia? What about all the bigger dog breeds, such as the Dogue de Bordeaux who can have shorter lifespans? My niece had a lovely Lakeland terrier, that developed a brain issue leading to idiopathic rage syndrome, should we stop breeding Lakeland terriers? No, of course not!
I never said that it was ideal that any dog exists with features or traits that impact on its health. Dogs with unhealthy traits exist, get over it! I’m sure that the vast majority of owners of such dogs love their dogs to bits. As I tried to point out, not all dogs with brachycephalic faces are unhealthy, but it is apparent from some of the more vitriolic comments that some of the people on here feel that they are able to condemn entire breeds to the history books, without any exception. Agreed, the KC are responsible for setting breed standards and this has lead to significant issues with some breeds. There are reasons why people get the dogs they do. Granted, the craze for the latest fashionable breed is reprehensible and often irresponsible, but please don’t lose sight of the fact that the majority of people who are dog lovers, love their dogs and treat them well.
I am not arrogant enough to imagine that my opinion is important, I was just trying to share it, but I don’t think I will bother in future.
Well for what it worth I agree with you. My parents have had numerous labs and several have had to have corrective surgery for hip/ joint issues. You can look into the parents medical history to try to find ones that are clear of problems but it’s by no means a guarantee that yours won’t. My uncle bred German Shepherds. Are you saying that we shouldn’t breed them because some get hip displasia? What about all the bigger dog breeds, such as the Dogue de Bordeaux who can have shorter lifespans? My niece had a lovely Lakeland terrier, that developed a brain issue leading to idiopathic rage syndrome, should we stop breeding Lakeland terriers? No, of course not!
I never said that it was ideal that any dog exists with features or traits that impact on its health. Dogs with unhealthy traits exist, get over it! I’m sure that the vast majority of owners of such dogs love their dogs to bits. As I tried to point out, not all dogs with brachycephalic faces are unhealthy, but it is apparent from some of the more vitriolic comments that some of the people on here feel that they are able to condemn entire breeds to the history books, without any exception. Agreed, the KC are responsible for setting breed standards and this has lead to significant issues with some breeds. There are reasons why people get the dogs they do. Granted, the craze for the latest fashionable breed is reprehensible and often irresponsible, but please don’t lose sight of the fact that the majority of people who are dog lovers, love their dogs and treat them well.
I am not arrogant enough to imagine that my opinion is important, I was just trying to share it, but I don’t think I will bother in future.
Lots of breeds have other specific potential problems sadly. The healthiest dogs are often mutts or cross breeds so there must be an argument for just not having pedigrees at all.
I have a frenchie, he’s about to turn 13 so he’s a different shape to the very squat short legged ones you see now. No breathing issues at all, but he has had cancer.
This is the publicly stated opinion of a leading academic vet on brachycephaly. She has appeared on TV and Radio 4 to discuss and educate about brachycephaly.
Although tactful in public, like most vets, in private her thoughts about the owners and breeders of them are less diplomatic.
Look at the history of the breeds. Companion animals that can be picked up and petted. Those that resemble babies 'aw cute' are selectively bred. Then the multiple health conditions are noted. Around the same time their health problems are gaining recognition, social media is developing. The voices of concern are bulldozed aside by market forces.
Kudos to anyone taking rescue animals but that aside, the dogs we choose say a lot about us. In a way, the brachycephalic dogs daschunds etc are the 'feminine' yin to the fighting terrier derived 'male' yan. Both are chosen to project an image without a moment's consideration for the responsibility for the health and welfare of a completely dependent animal
Although tactful in public, like most vets, in private her thoughts about the owners and breeders of them are less diplomatic.
Look at the history of the breeds. Companion animals that can be picked up and petted. Those that resemble babies 'aw cute' are selectively bred. Then the multiple health conditions are noted. Around the same time their health problems are gaining recognition, social media is developing. The voices of concern are bulldozed aside by market forces.
Kudos to anyone taking rescue animals but that aside, the dogs we choose say a lot about us. In a way, the brachycephalic dogs daschunds etc are the 'feminine' yin to the fighting terrier derived 'male' yan. Both are chosen to project an image without a moment's consideration for the responsibility for the health and welfare of a completely dependent animal
Edited by oddman on Wednesday 6th March 08:17
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