Seems like on this forum were constantly talking about human specific issues. Lets take some time to discuss one big one facing out favorite four legged friends. I recommend everyone watch this BBC documentary to get an overview of what is going on: [video=youtube;TMyqH_Q_iPY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMyqH_Q_iPY[/video] For those of you without the time, basically, many pedigree dog breeders (in particular in the UK, but also in the US as well) are engaging in some very detrimental breeding practices to get a lot of extremely unhealthy physical traits instilled into many dog breeds to make them more appealing as pets, and especially as show dogs. Many breeds of dogs that were historically healthy and were often used for very physically demanding work have now been bred to the point where they are a mere shadow of their former selves. The Bulldog is one of the best examples of this. In the early 1800's, the bulldog breed was a working dog used for bull baiting. They were strong, stout, and healthy animals. This is what they looked like back then: And this is what they look like today due to breeding them for more "physically attractive traits". This is a comparison between the skull of an 1800's bulldog and a modern one: As you can see, they have had their faces smooshed inwards. This causes all sorts of breathing issues for Bulldogs, and other similar breeds such as Pugs. As you can also see from the pictures above, the bulldog has been bred to have much more excess skin (as have the unfortunate basset hound, St. Bernard, and many types of dachshunds) which can lead to skin problems, and they are much lower, and their gait is more awkward. The modern bulldog is useless for doing the type of work its ancestors did, and the breed has been mutilated so badly, most specimens can't even breed or give birth on their own. Not only are these sort of physical manipulations massively detrimental a dog breeds overall health on their own, to get to this point there is also often massive amounts of inbreeding used by breeders between desirable specimens, even between mother/son, father/daughter, and brother/sister dogs. This has led to many genetically inherited mental and physical ailments getting spread around almost the entire breed of some dogs. Its a disgusting form of Eugenics, but as the cowardly Kennel Club higher ups admit, many breeders simply refuse to change, and would likely move to a new organization if the club decided to institute policies such as banning heavily inbred dogs from competing, or banning dogs with genetically inherited diseases from competing and being used as studs. They are probably right about that, which is why I believe it must fall on the government to pass laws banning such practices. If and when that happens, they breeders won't be able to get away with their twisted actions any longer, and we might be able to save and restore many of the breeds that have been heavily damaged. What are you'r thoughts on this topic?
I definitely think that the industry needs to be better regulated with more oversight if they are not willing to self-police like professional organizations do. That said, most dogs have some vulnerability bred into them, whether it is the retriever's issues with their back legs, beagles issues with overeating and developing Cushings, hounds' predisposition for glaucoma, etc.
Dog breeds are very well pronounced. The facts that humans engage in this behavior should tell you all you need to know about how disgusting and invasive of a species we are.
Well it's not any news that bastard dogs are generally more healty than breeded ones. Sometimes even more intelligent imho. It's a long time we already know this, still anybody does nothing, maybe it's time to regulate this thing. Humans are not the problem, we just need more rules.
Below is a list of dangerous breed dogs that should be eliminated from society. 1. Pit Bull 2. Rottweiler 3. German Shepard - except for Law Enforcement 4. Husky 5. Wolf-Dog Hybrid 6. Malamute 7. Doberman Euthanize them all.
I did watch this. It's sickening and sad. Humans are real idiots sometimes. At one time the dangers of inbreeding weren't really known, but now there is simply no excuse, yet breeders continue to do it, and continue to breed animals that suffer from horrible genetic defects.
Then there's the disgusting practise of mutilating animals so they conform to the owner's 'lifestyle'. De-clawing cats-which, in fact, involves the amputation of the first knuckle is one such practise. This is done in order that precious furniture isn't scratched! It also prevents the animal from defending itself and performing its normal behaviour. Next we have the wiring of dog's ears-usually in the Doberman-so that they stand erect in order to make the dog appear more 'fierce'. Tail amputation is another. Sadly these barbaric practises seem prevalent in the USA which appears to regard animals as lifestyle accessories or ornaments. Don't get me started on Sea World, and the imprisoning of whales and dolphins for entertainment purposes. Humans indeed are idiots.
Actually when it comes to animal breeding it tends to be the pet stores which screw their genetics up. If you want a quality dog you're much, much better off going with a private dealer who does it as a hobby. Much like a double bass is best bought from a private luthier. I don't really care about regulation of pet stores because they're in the white market anyway and so it's natural to expect thugs to show up every now and then and tell you how to run your business - but with the hobbyists it will be very hard to enact any enforceable regulations. Most operate on their own, and transactions are done cash in hand. Advertising is done by word of mouth.
WHAT!?! Now Pit Bulls... Pit Bulls are a complicated issue. A lot of their behavior has to do with how their raised. However, if you look at the statistics, it is very clear that nearly 100% of fatal dog attacks each year in the US are from Pits. I don't really support eradicating the breed over that though. And I definitely don't support getting rid of Rotty's and Dobermans. We need some breeds of guard dog to remain. Also, why get rid of Shepherds and Husky's (especially Husky's)? I don't hear to much bad stuff about them. All the Husky's I have ever met were sweethearts. Basically the temperament of a yellow lab. Getting rid of wolf-dog hybrids is something I would support. There just isn't a reason for them. And a lot of people who own them are not prepared at all to deal with the increased aggressiveness and power. There just isn't a point in them being legal.
Personally I think that if you want a "quality" dog you need to get a mixed breed from the pound. Mixed breeds tend to live a lot longer and have fewer problems.
It all comes down to preference. Golden Retrievers have real bad hip problems, but they're great dogs.
Don't they also have a problem with the tendons/ligaments in their rear legs that cause them to need like $8K in surgery to repair?
They have bad hips (like Shepherds which are sold in the UK with a 'hip score') because they are bred for appearance and conformation. As far as "quality" is concerned I submit that is all about ego-that of the owner-with little consideration for the long-term well-being of the animal. Breeding an animal for appearance is abhorrent and no less a disgusting practise than eugenics among humans. If you want a dog go to a rescue centre and get a healthy mongrel, and not some in-bred and deficient 'pedigree' with all its inherent and painfully inevitable (and expensive) consequences. I can't imagine why anyone with a semblance of a conscience would even consider buying an animal which has been 'scored' for the degree of discomfort and disability it will eventually suffer.
Nah I disagree. I like pedigrees despite their health issues. In any case, it's not any of your business. Nor do you have the ability to stop me, so meh.
So you're happy to be complicit in inflicting suffering on an animal despite being in a position to prevent it by not buying into the whole pedigree, 'look at me and my cool dog', scam? And some people have the front to call themselves 'animal lovers'... Organisations such as the RSPCA make it their business to alert so-called animal lovers to the serious health problems they are complicit in inflicting, and ensuring they continue to inflict, by buying these dogs. I'm happy to be among those supporting the RSPCA. Don't get me started on dog shows and the pathetic spectacle of egotistic owners prancing around a ring basking vicariously in the glory of appreciation for their over-bred ornament. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZMegQH1SPg
Agreed. We had nothing but health troubles with our poor golden retriever purebred (supposedly from a reputable breeder), while our golden retriever mix we got from the shelter to keep the purebred company is 18 years-old and other than mild arthritis is perfectly healthy. Our smartest dogs have also all been adopted mongrels.
She is the longest lived dog we've had, although I think one of our other ones made it to 15. Fenced in yards are the way to go. We've lost too many cats and dogs too young, mostly from cars. Even living out in the middle of nowhere like we used to it happened all too often.
