How a Century of Breeding Has 'Deformed' Dogs
 

I thought this was an interesting article showing photos of dogs in 1915 and comparing them to today… Crazy how much breeds have changed- the bull terrier looks nothing like previously intended! :eek:

How a century of breeding 'improvement' has turned once-healthy dogs into deformed animals | Mail Online

Makes me curious how yorkies would fare? Do you think they've changed a lot over the last 100 years?

Yorkies were much larger & had very pointed noses. Also the hair looked more like a silky. Good post, Thanks : )

Fortunately the Yorkshire terrier is a moderate breed, whereas some breeds that the article talks about are bred to be extreme in some feature. Yorkies tend to have shorter muzzles and are not quite so terrier headed as they once were, but they should not have overly short muzzles. Coat texture and quantity coat is said to be of prime importance in our standard, and coat has improved dramatically over the years. However, some breeders have neglected good structure and movement for the beautiful coat. While we want gorgeous coat, there should be a structurally sound dog underneath all that coat.

The German Shepherd has been deformed the worst in my my opinion. The deformed picture here is not nearly as bad as it really is. What a shame.

If people don't breed for the breed standards, a breed can be lost completely in a very short period of time.

Cheers to those who do their utmost to follow the standards.

:yeahthat:

I so agree!!

My understanding is that these many dogs were bred to deformity to match the exaggerated breed standards. I agree the German Shepherd dog's transformation is beyond acceptable. The Pug can't breath can have abhorrent eye conditions and has a twisted spine to accommodate the much sought after corkscrew tail, not to mention the agonising genetic disorder bred into the poor little King Charles Spaniels.

While Yorkies are not as impacted as other breeds, the trend to downsize their overall structure to meet breed standards has certainly had some impact on the general health and well being of the dogs.

Both the UK and American Kennel Clubs seem ill equipped or not inclined to insist on the breed health and temperament being more important than the overall look.

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

And Health

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I have written much about this here and elsewhere. In fact the Kennel Club in Britain actually did review all its standards and changed some as a result of Pedigree Dogs Exposed.

For the link that was provided I actually saw a Boxer that structurally looked healthier than 100 yrs ago. Look at the topline, look at the angulations, and yes a shorter muzzle and a slight upturned nose today.

I am going to put aside costs for one moment, and the always troubling in-breeding factor.

But there are some countries when you can not get a full championship until the dog is matured. Why is this important? Because no matter how promising a young dog is and moves, etc there are many factors that do not show up until 2+ years old. One obvious factor is coat length for the Yorkie for example. And for all breeds health screenings some of them can not be done until 2yrs old (eg; Hip and elbow dysplasia)

For all breeds I say there needs to be a Temperament test done, that is structured for that particular breed. For example working dogs need a different evaluative criteria then say herding dogs, or companion dogs (of which Yorkies are one of). A stable temperament is desirable in all breed of dogs no matter what their function is.

I will speak more about working breeds as that is my passion. A temperament evaluation can be done officially as early as 15months, but for example my breed should have it repeated at 3+ years old. They are a slow growing and maturing breed. And the way they respond to stimuli is much different to a Yorkie, a GSD, or a Rottweiler. What would exemplify a good working temperament for BRTs' is different to the aforementioned.

So for a companion dog, the temperament test would include friendliness or at least calmness and some degree of acceptance to strangers, whereas in a guard and protect breed the criteria would be different.

Then there are the working abilities that should be also gleaned before a full Championship is issued. This is more apropos of working, herding, guarding, and field dogs. But for companion dogs surely their working ability is how well they can bond and their friendliness with strangers.

Working breeds might have dependent upon the breed, mandatory CD or CDX, herding breeds the equivalent in their skill, etc etc.

It is quite a complex challenge. To change how AKC and CKC determine when and how Ch's are earned.

Kudoos for the club for posting this information.