Do you ever feel bad for some breeds...

[wolfie]

I met the cutest pug the other day, but he was wheezing and panting the whole time I was petting him. His owner said he always does that.

I don't know, it doesn't seem right to breed dogs that have problems like that. I know their pushed in faces are adorable, but don't you feel bad for them? I mean, they can't breathe!

And there are some other breeds too, like how German Shepherds have hip problems (sorry - can't spell it! hip displacia or something...) because they were bred for sloping backs.

I know 'responsible' breeders are breeding for healthy dogs, but some dogs still have health problems because breeders are breeding to breed standards. Shouldn't health come first?

[Tonya]

English Bulldogs. They always seem so slow, like it's difficult to move, and they breathe so loud! The first time I babysat my friend's dog, I thought he was dying by the way he was breathing.

[heinz57_79]

You'd have to knock out almost every breed, tho. Small dogs like poodles, poms, doxies, etc have problems with their knees. Doxies have problems with their backs. Pugs, bulldogs, poms, poodles and others have problems with breathing and collapsed tracheas. large breeds have problems with hips and bloat. Cockers have problems with ears, eyes, skin, etc. There really isn't any breed that doesn't have a possibility of genetic problems. It's just one of those things, unfortunately.

If you think about it, humans are the same way. Trick knees, bad backs, allergies, bad eyesight, hearing loss, etc.

[Tonya]

Yeah, my mom has a cocker mix, his ears are horrible. It seems like his ears are constantly infected.

[wolfie]

Glad I'm not the only one!

Originally posted by heinz57_79
You'd have to knock out almost every breed, tho. ...

yeah. It's still kind of sad though. And not even mutts are free from genetic problems - Cocoa's a mix, and she has problems with her windpipe, and we have to use a harness to walk her.

I think dogs would be better off with out humans interfering with their genetics.

[cali]

honestly I feel sorry for every single show bred dog. because they are bred crippled on PURPOSE, they are bred to look pretty and thats it, who cares if they can move? show bred greyhounds would fall apart if they tried to run, police and anyone who used GSDs for work NEVER use show bred dogs, because they cant work, they are bred to stand on their hocks for some crazy reason er rather, but german GSDs have the ability to work and to walk. show bred labs drive me up the wall, those dogs are so fippin fat and bulky they they would have a heart attack if they had to do actual work. then their are all these breeds with smashed faces, everyone I know who does not know the names of the smashed faced breeds, describe them to me like this "those dog that look like they ran into a wall" I feel sorry for those. then their are corgies, bred now with such a long back its painful to look at. nearly all show bred dogs are bred to the extreme bulk so much that they could never do what they were bred to do. they are bred only for looks, for the most part show dogs are rather brainless but people delude themselves into thinking a their show dogs are ever so smart, and if given the chance they could work with the best. right... sorry but give those show dog to the top working trainers and they cant get them very far at all. I truly feel sorry for any and all show bred dogs.

[Shelteez2]

Originally posted by cali
honestly I feel sorry for every single show bred dog. because they are bred crippled on PURPOSE, they are bred to look pretty and thats it, who cares if they can move? show bred greyhounds would fall apart if they tried to run, police and anyone who used GSDs for work NEVER use show bred dogs, because they cant work, they are bred to stand on their hocks for some crazy reason er rather, but german GSDs have the ability to work and to walk. show bred labs drive me up the wall, those dogs are so fippin fat and bulky they they would have a heart attack if they had to do actual work. then their are all these breeds with smashed faces, everyone I know who does not know the names of the smashed faced breeds, describe them to me like this "those dog that look like they ran into a wall" I feel sorry for those. then their are corgies, bred now with such a long back its painful to look at. nearly all show bred dogs are bred to the extreme bulk so much that they could never do what they were bred to do. they are bred only for looks, for the most part show dogs are rather brainless but people delude themselves into thinking a their show dogs are ever so smart, and if given the chance they could work with the best. right... sorry but give those show dog to the top working trainers and they cant get them very far at all. I truly feel sorry for any and all show bred dogs.

Thank you for insulting my show bred dog. He and I appreciate your feelings of sympathy.





Oh and he's been on sheep. Didn't do all that bad either. If we had more access to a place to train, I'd look into getting some titles on him.

Oh and he's my highest scoring obdience dog. Scored in the 190's. (Out of 200)

Thank you also for insulting my future whippet puppy, who will come from a breeder that shows.

One of her whippets.


Oh and he also does what he was bred to do.


So before you go feeling all "sorry" for all show dogs do them a favor and don't.

Feel sorry for dogs that come from untested parents. Feel sorry for dogs that come from litters bred to show kids the "miracle of life". Feel sorry for dogs bred to make a buck.

But don't feel sorry for pretty dogs that CAN and DO work and come from genetically sound parents.

[sirrahved]

Shar peis with their severe eye problems/surgeries, wrinkle fold infections/irritations, allergies, etc.

As far as cats go, I hate that persians seem to have such yucky eye problems, too.

[sirrahved]

*sighs*

I wish I would have read before I put in my two cents.... why does everything have to be a fight?

[Aspen and Misty]

Originally posted by cali
honestly I feel sorry for every single show bred dog. because they are bred crippled on PURPOSE, they are bred to look pretty and thats it, who cares if they can move? show bred greyhounds would fall apart if they tried to run, police and anyone who used GSDs for work NEVER use show bred dogs, because they cant work, they are bred to stand on their hocks for some crazy reason er rather, but german GSDs have the ability to work and to walk. show bred labs drive me up the wall, those dogs are so fippin fat and bulky they they would have a heart attack if they had to do actual work. then their are all these breeds with smashed faces, everyone I know who does not know the names of the smashed faced breeds, describe them to me like this "those dog that look like they ran into a wall" I feel sorry for those. then their are corgies, bred now with such a long back its painful to look at. nearly all show bred dogs are bred to the extreme bulk so much that they could never do what they were bred to do. they are bred only for looks, for the most part show dogs are rather brainless but people delude themselves into thinking a their show dogs are ever so smart, and if given the chance they could work with the best. right... sorry but give those show dog to the top working trainers and they cant get them very far at all. I truly feel sorry for any and all show bred dogs.

Why are you always bashing show dogs? We don't ever bash your working dogs, so why bash other peoples dogs! This isn't the first time you have done this either and it's REALLY anoying, not to mention down right RUDE. Maybe the show dog's you have met are brain dead, but most aren't and I do NOT apreciate your comment about them being stupid!

My mom has a Sheltie who she got from a breeder. He was BRED to be a show DOG (not barbie thank you very much). He has TONS of herding instinct! I bet if I spent a couple of hours with him he would learn to herd like a pro. He has tried to herd cats, people, dog's, rats, and bunnies. He is REALY good to, so I do NOT apreciate you bashing him. Most breeders try to keep the herding instinct in there dog's and WILL use them for working.

I REALLY think you need to come off your "Border Collies are the best breed ever and all other breeds stink expessially if they acctually look nice and what the breed is now supposed to look like" campaign.

Ashley

[GoldenRetrLuver]

Originally posted by Shelteez2
Feel sorry for dogs that come from untested parents. Feel sorry for dogs that come from litters bred to show kids the "miracle of life". Feel sorry for dogs bred to make a buck.

I agree. Not all show dogs are "barbies".

I know plenty of Collie breeders that breed their show dogs for show, and they also work them. It really starts to get annoying when you say the same thing over and over about show dogs. How would you like to have someone bashing your working dogs? There's no reason to feel sorry for them if they don't meet your standard expectations.

Think before you speak next time, please.

[FizzGiggs_Mommy]

Originally posted by GoldenRetrLuver
I agree. Not all show dogs are "barbies".

I agree 100% I dont no much about showing but I did here that some hunting dogs must compete in hunting trials before AKC will even let them in the show ring.

A friend of mine has a champion breed Black Lab that is a awesome hunting dog. Both of the parent are shown.

[primabella]

Originally posted by wolfie
I think dogs would be better off with out humans interfering with their genetics.

Things "au natural" are always better anyways, aren't they?

Tasha, I got to agree with everything you said.

You'd have to knock out almost every breed, tho

I was also just about to say this.. every breed comes with their health problems. I think as their owners, we should just take the initiative to properly care for our animals.. getting them checked out when needed, giving them the medications if needed, ect. I don't know what else we could do about it.

[KYS]

I agree, I think it is very unfortunate that many breeds
have been ruined by humans not being carefull and created many of the disease problems we see today.
Fortunately many of the breed clubs are working
with Vet. Universities in trying to repair this wrong by
Sending them DNA samples and money for their
research. By working closely with the Vet schools, someday
we might fix the wrong that we created.

As for Show dogs not being working dogs.
I do not agree with this. You can look at some of
pedigrees and not only will they have a CH next to their name but also CD, CDX etc.
So just because they look pretty doesn't mean
they can't work too.

JMHO

[K9soul]

Cali-

Some of the things you stated I tend to agree with, how it is a shame that so many show breeders are caught up in looks only. There are plenty out there like that, and they are not breeding for the betterment of the breed at all. I saw it first-hand when I was in the show world for awhile with my collie Willie. However, I saw other breeders who genuinely loved the breed and were careful to breed only well-tempered and healthy dogs. To lump them all together, indeed my opinion is always to lump ANY group of people together, is a vast generalization and prejudice. IMHO, when you close off any group of people and lump them all together, you are narrowing your mind and shutting out the ability to always learn more from different viewpoints and objectives.

Now what I am about to say is not said to be mean, but in hopes to make you think or maybe realize a few things..It is not usually in my nature to join or bring up more conflict, but I feel strongly that I need to get this out in the air.

for the most part show dogs are rather brainless but people delude themselves into thinking a their show dogs are ever so smart, and if given the chance they could work with the best.

Did you truly ever expect that this statement wouldn't cause outrage to the people who have, plan to have, or have had show-bred dogs whom they love dearly and take pride in as much as you do your dogs? This is an attitude I have seen often and I admit it has greatly irked me more than once. You have seemed genuinely hurt and not understanding before as to why you get few responses to your posts, but I honestly believe this is why, because this attitude you carry about your type of dog versus other people's is one of superiority. You dismiss or insult the dogs that are the whole world to some people here. It is one thing to address or disagree with the way some breeds are bred which cause them health problems, and quite another to insult the dog's intelligence and worth, as well as the people who love them. It is an attitude I have seen too in the show world by some people, and I can tell you nothing turns other people off quicker than that attitude, and when that happens you reach a point where very few listen to what you have to say.

I'm sure I have said more than enough now, but I wanted to say to wolfie not to feel bad about starting this particular thread because this is something that has been building up for awhile now. I very nearly broke down and said something the last time a condescending comment was made about a type of dog considered to have little value. As much as I hate to say anything that might be hurtful, sometimes it's the only way for someone to find out that what they are saying or how they are acting is offensive and maybe even hurtful to others.