Why Is It Important To Breed Dogs

Dogs are man's best friend and many people like to show that through endless affection. At the same time, anyone that owns or breeds purebred dogs are harming their loveable companions just by owning that particular breed, especially if they show their dog off at dog shows. The popularity of show winning dogs leads to them being bred and spreading their genes, including their genetic diseases. On a similar note, most purebred dogs are the result of inbreeding, which keeps genetic problems in their shallow genetic pool and genes of other, more resistant breeds out.
Breeding dogs to a standard may give them more health issues than what they’d have on their own. For example, short bulldogs with their pushed in faces used to look completely different than how they do today. In the 1850s, they were taller and looked more like today’s pit bull terrier. Since then, they have been bred into the dogs that we know them to be and breeding them to look this way has given them genetic issues, like having trouble breathing. In fact, approximately one third of all bulldogs have severe breathing issues as a result of their flat, pushed in faces. Their genetic issues also give breeders problems with doing their job as most female bulldogs can’t
With its kind nature, soft fur, and adorable, droopy ears, it’s no wonder that these dogs are so popular that people are willing to pay thousands for one of these puppies. It’s a real shame that they’re so vulnerable to genetic disease. By the age of 5, about half of all Cavaliers will develop a heart condition called mitral valve disease, leaving them at a high risk for premature death. Also, by then, three fourths or so of these dogs will develop canine syringomyelia, a terrible disorder where the brain becomes too large for the skull, forcing the dog into severe neck and shoulder pains as well as giving them spinal cord