[C C Kent]

I agree that this is a good debate and worth having, but I don't think it's just about breeding. I think in the larger sense it's about "situational ethics."

The early breeders developed different breeds to perform different tasks. A particular dog's value was determined by his ability to perform the task for which he was designed. In order to make this judgement correctly there was the need for a single standard, one by which all would be judged. For the breed to survive this standard must be respected, and protected. How we go about that is difficult at best.

The argument can be made to do almost anything we wish to do, no matter the long term detrimental effects, if we accept the situational ethics approach.

I believe that if we don't protect the dignity of those who depend on us, we have none of our own.