Quote Originally Posted by Jolt View Post
What bugs me more is some of the stuff Gemma mentioned earlier about breeding for traits that end up creating health problems (back problems in dachshunds, the squished faces in pugs, bulldogs etc. that result in breathing problems, the sloped back ends on German Shepherds, etc.). Why would you deliberately breed animals that are likely to be unhealthy due to their "fashionable" physical characteristics? Now THAT is stupid--it's bad for the dogs and also for the people who have them as pets and have to watch them suffer. There needs to be some moderation in breeding for fashion/show. I think the whole dog show thing goes too far. If I understand correctly, dog shows were originally a way to help pick dogs for breeding that would be able to do their specific jobs and be healthy, rather than just for fashion like they are now.
I totally agree. There is a program about the health problems that have been bred into pedigree dogs on the BBC today:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukne...ee-breeds.html

Here's some link to excerpts:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7569521.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7569592.stm

Gemma