Practical Solutions to Welfare Problems in Dog Breeding

[Laurelin]

I don't really get the argument to be honest.

Dachshunds have dwarfism yes, but I've also read they are one of the longest lived breeds out there. In fact every single one I've known has lived well into their teens. Compare that to some 'normal' looking breeds like dobermans or flat coats who have enormously high instances of cancer. Which is worse? Or in the case of toy dogs you brought up in the OP. People always point to the toy dogs for being 'too small' but on a whole, these dogs are living some of the longest lives. Compare the lifespan of a small chi to that of many giant breeds...

Just because a breed LOOKS the most extreme doesn't mean it is the worst out there. I would take dachshund health any day over a large number of breeds. and THAT to me is the point. Ethics are not cut and dry. Some health problems bother me more than others. The fact that so many dobes drop dead so young bothers me a heck of a lot more than the fact that dachshunds are bred to have dwarfism. Like I said before, we need to focus on our own breeds and take a step back and see what we're doing to them. Trust me I've seen first hand the awful things that are going on in my breed. No breed is immune.

 

[~Tucker&Me~]

I recently got a dog magazine, the "breed of the month" featured the french bulldogs, in one of the articles a breeder was talking about the breeding and how most of the females needed C-sections and artificial inseminations, and how this is a determinant factor of giving you a higher quality dog.

Then she talked about how instead millers are using bigger females than allowed in the standards with longer muzzles so they gave birth naturally so they could reduce cost.


I know what she was trying to say with the article (they just want to gain more money with the less cost involved)

Not that I support millers at all, I never would.

But is sad that for people they see the "can give birth and mate naturally " as wrong and bad for the breed.

Wow, really? How weird... It's like opposite day - permanently

(sad though)

 

[Maura]

I just viewed the courage video. Oh my! Train your dog to bite a padded arm. That shouldn't be too hard as long as the dog is tall enough to reach the arm. However, in the PP class our bouvier was in, the dogs were taught to attack the arm holding the weapon. Form over function?

 

[AGonzalez]

I just viewed the courage video. Oh my! Train your dog to bite a padded arm. That shouldn't be too hard as long as the dog is tall enough to reach the arm. However, in the PP class our bouvier was in, the dogs were taught to attack the arm holding the weapon. Form over function?

That's the difference with PP vs. Schutzhund. Schutzhund bites are sleeve only. French Ring and Mondio do body and leg bites on full body suits. Personally I'm moving toward a different venue and away from Schutzhund, as I hate tracking.

 

[sammgirl]

I haven't posted here for a long time, but I saw an article written by people I know about people I know, about litters that I know, and couldn't resist.

Doberluv- that arcticle you posted was written by Cardigan folk who I am friends with.

Cardigans are a true working breed and we actually do care about IVDD and DM and no one wants dogs running around in wheel carts their whole lives.

Before you condem an achondroplastic breed, look into Cardigans. My girl Harper is a working dog, whether she's on sheep on playing fetch and she comes from OFA goods/excellents, she's DM clear, PRA clear and I'd put her against any other herding breed for a work ethic.

She's quick on her feet and border collie drivey.

IVDD is a problem, but if you x ray between 3 and 5 years you can often spot the calcifications that indicicate a possible IVDD prognosis in later years.

Me and my mentors all do spinal testing along with a plethora of things that go above and beyond any of the piddly testing required for CHIC.

No one should condemn a breed just because they are achondroplastic. I've known some Doxies that would put other terrier breeds to shame when it comes to going to ground.

I think it's awful to say that a breed should not be perpetuated just because of one trait. There are PLENTY of breeds that I would never own, but I'd never go so far as to say people should stop breeding them. I'm not a doberman fan. I'm not a chihuahua fan. But there are good breeders in both breeds.

I think that if you see a problem, you should fix it. That's what breeding is about and that's why breeding is not for the faint of heart. If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen, because it's never ever easy. But, if you really love a breed and you want to see them last for generations and if you are willing to work on these really hard problems that come with closed gene pools have, then by all means.

Anyway, it will probably be another 6 months before I post- I should have given you guys pictures!!! Harper has grown into her ears (finally)! We got her CGC and we're showing her in a limited fashion in the North and Mid West.