I’ve had this debate wayyy too many times so I’m just going to deal directly with what OP says.
1. Where are the citations for all these facts? I see none, and actually recognize a number of these “facts” as false. Are you pulling these things out of your ass or what? Here’s a list of “facts” that are false, plus actual citations to prove it:
-Pugs are NOT the “most inbred” dog breed. Really, I don’t know if a “most inbred” dog breed has been totally established, but even so, I can guarantee that the Norwegian Lundehund is vastly more inbred than your average Pug, just to name one breed (Tollers are another that come to mind).
-Bull Terriers don’t have “respiratory problems” due to their anatomy. I can’t find any sources where OP might have gotten this from; my guess is that they’re grasping at straws here. Here’s a real list of Bull Terrier health problems.
-Dachshunds are at risk for IVDD regardless of whether their legs are shorter or longer. I actually wrote an article on this.
-Dwarfism in Dachshunds is NOT due to achrondoplasia, but rather hypochondroplasia. So no, Doxies are not at risk for “achrondoplastic related pathologies” and by saying they are, you are just proving that you literally have no idea what you’re talking about. Here, read some actual studies and educate yourself: link link.
-Pugs “often” die of heatstroke or suffocation when they exert themselves. Yes, Pugs have a horrible time regulating their body temperature, but after working at a vet for 2 years and seeing hundreds of Pugs, I have yet to see or hear of a case of a Pug killing itself in this way. If this really happened “often” I think that wouldn’t be the case. Generally, Pugs just pass out when they can’t breathe properly (something I HAVE seen), rather than dying on the spot.
-Pugs born without curly tails are culled. Really? I’d love to see a good source for this one.
-The ridge in Rhodesian Ridgebacks is a mild form of spina bifida. Okay, I’m guessing OP watched Pedigree Dogs Exposed and then immediately regurgitated a bunch of the program’s information without fact checking. I say this because this “fact” is included in PDE, but after a complaint was filed, the script had to be changed because this statement is wholly untrue. Also, regarding the culling of ridgeless puppies, this practice is NOT deemed acceptable by most Ridgeback breed clubs, including the UK club (see previous link).
2. OP takes 6 of the most controversial breeds, out of the hundreds of breeds in existence, and uses them to make the generalization that ALL dog breeding inherently leads to qualzucht.
Fun fact, I can do the same thing with shelters and rescues! Here’s a list of the horrible things these organizations have done recently:
Denver Animal Shelter Adopts Out Well-Loved, Lost Dog Despite Owner’s Attempts to Reclaim
St Johns Co Oops-Kills Beloved Lost Cat Upon Intake
Unlicensed staff botch illegal killings at Killeen Pound, put animals into garbage bags, store them in freezer, and put them into incinerator while still alive
AZ rescue owner charged with animal cruelty after killing a dog by stomping on its head
Islip Shelter Tells Owners Their Beloved Lost Pet Will Be Sold to Strangers
Seattle Purebred Dog Rescue Kills Lost Pet, Notifies Owner by Mail
St Johns Co Kills Lost, Microchipped Service Dog Without Contacting Owners
Dallas Pound Secretly Kills Four Dogs Slated for Rescue
SC Pound Kills Microchipped Lost Dog Without Contacting Owner
MAS Kills Dog Good Samaritan Wanted to Adopt
Allegations of Neglect and Needless Death at IL Pound
Gwinnett Co ACO Under Investigation for Beating Dog
**WARNING: GRAPHIC PHOTOS DEPICTING ANIMAL CRUELTY**
State Inspection Report on Klein Shelter Documents Animal Suffering and Inhumane Conditions
Update 2: Arrest Warrants Issued for TX Pound Employees: Multiple Charges Include Animal Torture
Update 3: State Photos and Documents from Klein Animal Shelter in Texas
These are just a small handful of examples of the kind of abuse, neglect, and needless killing that runs rampant in the US shelter and rescue system. And yet, you will NOT hear me condemning all shelters and rescues everywhere. Instead, I always advocate for supporting reputable shelters and rescues, because they’re not all the same. That’s the flaw in blanket statements like “Adopt, don’t shop!” They paint all breeders as bad and all shelters as good, and as these examples prove, it’s foolish to assume that all shelters and rescues really have animal welfare at the heart of their organizations, just as it’s foolish to assume that all breeders are after monetary gain.
3. “Pet overpopulation” in the US is a myth. This is a huge, convoluted topic but I want to keep things simple and just talk about data points. Every year, 23 million families will add a pet to their home, and 8 million pets will be surrendered to shelters. Why then do we kill 4 million a year, claiming no homes can be found? It’s a complex question that has more to do with animal rights extremism than anything else.
The shelter system needs to take a long, hard look at itself and realize that the only entity to blame for mass animal killings is itself. I’m sick and tired of all the emotional manipulation, blame-shifting, and intentional skewing of the facts. Let’s stop pointing fingers and start actually working towards animal welfare, shall we?
