YorkieTalk.com Forums - Yorkshire Terrier Community - View Single Post - Show breeders breeding sickness instead of health....

jp4m2 · 09-07-2009, 04:19 PM

Thanks for answering, you always seem to know the answer...

I'm just now looking at the AKC and breeding out of curiosity and I'm finding the whole issue fascinating yet very disturbing.......

If I'm understanding this right is this correct.....each breed has it's own unique club.... members of their club set the standards for what their particular breed should look like. Over time the standard has changed so breeders have gone along with the "rules" and bred to meet those changes. If they didn't then the dog can not enter into competitions because it does not have the correct look. Some of those changes have caused the dog to have health problems and physical problems in part because the gene pool is too limited ( too close in relation)....Is that close enough in a nut shell?....

I the documentary the issue seems to be that the dogs are not only having genetic problems but it far worse than that because the dog is being bred to change its looks entirely and that is having detrimental consequences for the dog. For instance....The pug is unable to breath because the standard says to have a very short muzzle...The Cavalier Kings head is only to be so large and it's brain can't fit in....The German Shepard can barely walk because the standard wants the back legs shorter than the front...etc.etc

I see I've just scratched the surface on this subject.....

09-07-2009, 04:19 PM	#11
jp4m2 Love my Boys Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: w/ my boys Posts: 5,056	Thanks for answering, you always seem to know the answer... I'm just now looking at the AKC and breeding out of curiosity and I'm finding the whole issue fascinating yet very disturbing....... If I'm understanding this right is this correct.....each breed has it's own unique club.... members of their club set the standards for what their particular breed should look like. Over time the standard has changed so breeders have gone along with the "rules" and bred to meet those changes. If they didn't then the dog can not enter into competitions because it does not have the correct look. Some of those changes have caused the dog to have health problems and physical problems in part because the gene pool is too limited ( too close in relation)....Is that close enough in a nut shell?.... I the documentary the issue seems to be that the dogs are not only having genetic problems but it far worse than that because the dog is being bred to change its looks entirely and that is having detrimental consequences for the dog. For instance....The pug is unable to breath because the standard says to have a very short muzzle...The Cavalier Kings head is only to be so large and it's brain can't fit in....The German Shepard can barely walk because the standard wants the back legs shorter than the front...etc.etc I see I've just scratched the surface on this subject..... __________________ B.J.mom to : Jake J.J. Jack & Joey, momma misses you..... The joy found in the companionship of a pet is a blessing not given to everyone. The two most powerful words when we’re in struggle: me too..