Process Paper
Choosing my topic:
I chose my topic because I love dogs, and I wanted to learn more about the health consequences for dogs that are the result of selective breeding -- dogs known as pure-bred or pedigree dogs. Selective breeding essentially means that dogs are intentionally mated with certain other dogs in order to bring out out or prevent the expression of specific traits, such as size, shape, fur coat, and temperament. For some people, dogs are not just pets and family members, but also a way to compete or show off, and it is often these dog buyers for whom dog breeders have gone to great lengths to create pedigree or “specialty” dogs. Over the years I have heard the term “selective breeding” used to describe how breeders bred their dogs solely to make them more appealing to potential buyers and thus get a higher profit. Aside from finding this very disturbing, I wanted to know more about the impact of selective breeding practices on dogs’ health and also learn about how to put an end to these practices in the future.
Conducting my research:
I conducted research using primary and secondary sources in order to identify the major health consequences of selective breeding among dogs, and also to pinpoint the practices of responsible dog breeders. I had decided to go into further research on the history of selective breeding of dogs and how certain pedigree breeds have evolved to their current appearance and health status. Specifically, I looked for the roots of selective breeding and how selective breeding came to be a common practice, as well as what breeders can do to ensure the wellbeing of their dogs now and in future generations.
Results:
I found that selective breeding has changed dogs completely over a long time. Selective breeding first became popular in Victorian England where it was very popular to try to make the cutest, most attractive dogs for the affluent members of society, and also to make the most useful, strong dogs for working on the farm and elsewhere. They would often show these dogs off. Before this time, breeding dogs to tailor to your everyday needs, for example breeding dogs to kill vermin or herd cattle or sheep, was still common, but in Victorian England was where breeding for physical appearance really became popular.
Selective breeding in its early years may have brought some health benefits to the animals by breeding out certain genetic diseases. Since the entire purpose of selective breeding is to make a more attractive dog that is appealing to the buyer, having a healthier dog would potentially make them more likely to be bought and cared for than the sicklier dogs with those earlier genetic diseases.
Since that era, the dogs originally bred for functionality and better health have changed drastically in appearance. One of the most popular examples is the bulldog. Bulldogs originally bred to kill were once long and lean athletic dogs. They were even shown off by fighting bulls (hence the name bulldogs). Comparing those strong and sturdy dogs to the modern bulldog you can immediately see how much they have changed. Bulldogs now are much shorter with small stubby legs that can barely support their weight and they have short pushed-in noses which makes it much harder for them to breathe. The bulldog’s wide structure makes it physically impossible for the females to give birth without a cesarean section.
In general, certain categories of selectively bred dogs are prone to certain diseases. Dogs bred to be small that have unproportionate, doll-like heads tend to have a disease called chiari, a structural defect in the cerebellum where it sits lower than it should, causing chronic pain. Breeds that are bred to be larger and more athletic are prone to a very common and painful disease called hip dysplasia. This is a genetic disease causing the deterioration and loss of function of hip joints. Pugs are another staple example of selective breeding. Dogs with pug-like features such as wrinkles and pushed-in snouts are prone to their own set of diseases. The extreme amount of wrinkles that are signature to pugs are very likely to get infection if not properly cleaned and cared for. Dogs with such short snouts perceive their surroundings completely differently from long nosed dogs. Their brains have literally rotated in the skull over time to the point where the part that identifies smell is towards the back. Short snouted dogs have a far worse sense of smell than their long nosed relatives and can be in danger in an otherwise routine situation.
Conclusions and next steps:
Selective breeding of dogs or any other species ultimates results in inbreeding, which brings out genetic traits and diseases that would never have come out in the species if mating of animals was more random. In the process of producing pure-bred or pedigree dogs for profit, selective breeders will, over time, be mating together dogs who are too closely related, often with a common father or grandfather. A responsible breeder does not breed for profit. They avoid inbreeding as it leads to the expression of these painful genetic traits and diseases. A responsible breeder does not breed for his own benefit, but to better the breed, and in their efforts to “better the breed,” they would not seek to exaggerate certain so-called “attractive” characteristics because these characteristics often come at a high price for the dog’s health. Responsible dog breeders make sure to get all the necessary vaccines and all the required health forms filled out. They look for responsible, supportive owners who can provide loving homes without caring if the dogs are purebred. Breeders and places such as pet shops that invest in selectively bred “pedigree” dogs should be avoided at all costs when buying a dog in order to get a happy and healthy dog. Breeders who continue to practice dangerous inbreeding of dogs should be pressured by every legal means available to change their practices for the well-being of their animals. It is indeed possible to reverse the adverse health effects of generations of selective breeding by essentially “outbreeding” the animals and introducing new genetic information into the resulting animals. As I have learned from this research, it is often those so-called “mutts,” seen by many as undesirable, that are the most hardy, happy dogs of all.
I chose my topic because I love dogs, and I wanted to learn more about the health consequences for dogs that are the result of selective breeding -- dogs known as pure-bred or pedigree dogs. Selective breeding essentially means that dogs are intentionally mated with certain other dogs in order to bring out out or prevent the expression of specific traits, such as size, shape, fur coat, and temperament. For some people, dogs are not just pets and family members, but also a way to compete or show off, and it is often these dog buyers for whom dog breeders have gone to great lengths to create pedigree or “specialty” dogs. Over the years I have heard the term “selective breeding” used to describe how breeders bred their dogs solely to make them more appealing to potential buyers and thus get a higher profit. Aside from finding this very disturbing, I wanted to know more about the impact of selective breeding practices on dogs’ health and also learn about how to put an end to these practices in the future.
Conducting my research:
I conducted research using primary and secondary sources in order to identify the major health consequences of selective breeding among dogs, and also to pinpoint the practices of responsible dog breeders. I had decided to go into further research on the history of selective breeding of dogs and how certain pedigree breeds have evolved to their current appearance and health status. Specifically, I looked for the roots of selective breeding and how selective breeding came to be a common practice, as well as what breeders can do to ensure the wellbeing of their dogs now and in future generations.
Results:
I found that selective breeding has changed dogs completely over a long time. Selective breeding first became popular in Victorian England where it was very popular to try to make the cutest, most attractive dogs for the affluent members of society, and also to make the most useful, strong dogs for working on the farm and elsewhere. They would often show these dogs off. Before this time, breeding dogs to tailor to your everyday needs, for example breeding dogs to kill vermin or herd cattle or sheep, was still common, but in Victorian England was where breeding for physical appearance really became popular.
Selective breeding in its early years may have brought some health benefits to the animals by breeding out certain genetic diseases. Since the entire purpose of selective breeding is to make a more attractive dog that is appealing to the buyer, having a healthier dog would potentially make them more likely to be bought and cared for than the sicklier dogs with those earlier genetic diseases.
Since that era, the dogs originally bred for functionality and better health have changed drastically in appearance. One of the most popular examples is the bulldog. Bulldogs originally bred to kill were once long and lean athletic dogs. They were even shown off by fighting bulls (hence the name bulldogs). Comparing those strong and sturdy dogs to the modern bulldog you can immediately see how much they have changed. Bulldogs now are much shorter with small stubby legs that can barely support their weight and they have short pushed-in noses which makes it much harder for them to breathe. The bulldog’s wide structure makes it physically impossible for the females to give birth without a cesarean section.
In general, certain categories of selectively bred dogs are prone to certain diseases. Dogs bred to be small that have unproportionate, doll-like heads tend to have a disease called chiari, a structural defect in the cerebellum where it sits lower than it should, causing chronic pain. Breeds that are bred to be larger and more athletic are prone to a very common and painful disease called hip dysplasia. This is a genetic disease causing the deterioration and loss of function of hip joints. Pugs are another staple example of selective breeding. Dogs with pug-like features such as wrinkles and pushed-in snouts are prone to their own set of diseases. The extreme amount of wrinkles that are signature to pugs are very likely to get infection if not properly cleaned and cared for. Dogs with such short snouts perceive their surroundings completely differently from long nosed dogs. Their brains have literally rotated in the skull over time to the point where the part that identifies smell is towards the back. Short snouted dogs have a far worse sense of smell than their long nosed relatives and can be in danger in an otherwise routine situation.
Conclusions and next steps:
Selective breeding of dogs or any other species ultimates results in inbreeding, which brings out genetic traits and diseases that would never have come out in the species if mating of animals was more random. In the process of producing pure-bred or pedigree dogs for profit, selective breeders will, over time, be mating together dogs who are too closely related, often with a common father or grandfather. A responsible breeder does not breed for profit. They avoid inbreeding as it leads to the expression of these painful genetic traits and diseases. A responsible breeder does not breed for his own benefit, but to better the breed, and in their efforts to “better the breed,” they would not seek to exaggerate certain so-called “attractive” characteristics because these characteristics often come at a high price for the dog’s health. Responsible dog breeders make sure to get all the necessary vaccines and all the required health forms filled out. They look for responsible, supportive owners who can provide loving homes without caring if the dogs are purebred. Breeders and places such as pet shops that invest in selectively bred “pedigree” dogs should be avoided at all costs when buying a dog in order to get a happy and healthy dog. Breeders who continue to practice dangerous inbreeding of dogs should be pressured by every legal means available to change their practices for the well-being of their animals. It is indeed possible to reverse the adverse health effects of generations of selective breeding by essentially “outbreeding” the animals and introducing new genetic information into the resulting animals. As I have learned from this research, it is often those so-called “mutts,” seen by many as undesirable, that are the most hardy, happy dogs of all.