Dogs have been selectively bred for centuries to suit humans, from hunting partners to lapdogs. Breeding for looks rather than health, however, has led to severe genetic issues. Let’s take a look at 10 breeds that have fared the worst at the hands of selective breeding.
1. Dachshunds: The Long and Short of It
Bred originally to chase badgers, dachshunds’ bodies were already ideal for tunnel burrowing. However, when their long backs and short legs were further exaggerated for the purposes of aesthetics, they started to get severe back problems. Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) is now prevalent, which most commonly results in paralysis.
2. Pugs: The Price of a Pancake Face
Pugs used to be valued for their wonderful personalities, but breeders got carried away with those flattened faces. Their cute flat faces makes it hard for them to breathe, makes them overheat, and creates eye issues. Some breeders now make “retro pugs” with longer noses to help make them healthier.
3. French Bulldogs: The Designer Dog Disaster
Frenchies are ultra-trendy, but they have significant genetic problems. They frequently suffer from breathing problems, spinal problems, and stomach problems. Worse still? Most can’t breed naturally and need to be artificially inseminated and have C-sections to give birth. That’s right: the breed literally wouldn’t exist without human intervention.
4. Golden Retrievers: Cancer in a Fur Coat
Golden Retrievers are the poster dogs for friendliness, but behind those wagging tails lies a dark truth. Thanks to inbreeding, roughly 60% of them get cancer. A once healthy breed, they’ve been genetically compromised to fulfill breed requirements at the cost of their health.
5. Dalmatians: Spots Come at a Price
The hallmark spots of the Dalmatian have one downside: high predisposition to deafness. One out of three Dalmatians experience some level of hearing loss because of the genetic connection between the development of their distinctive coat pattern and that of the inner ear. They are also prone to kidney stones.
6. English Bulldogs: A Walking Health Crisis
English Bulldogs are one of the worst examples of selective breeding gone wrong. Their exaggerated wrinkles and pushed-in noses leave them susceptible to breathing issues, overheating, and skin infections. They are susceptible to hip dysplasia, and like Frenchies, they often require artifical reproduction.
7. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels: The Brain Problem
These cute lapdogs suffer from a horrendous condition known as syringomyelia, in which their brains are too big for their skulls. This results in excruciating pain, neurological problems, and even paralysis. Selective breeding for their typically domed skulls has made the situation even worse.
8. German Shepherds: A Backbreaking Standard
Formerly a strong, working breed, German Shepherds have been selectively bred for a sloping back, which predisposes them to hip dysplasia and degenerative myelopathy. Selective breeding for this undesirable trait has resulted in painful mobility problems, reducing both their working lifespan and overall longevity.
9. Shar-Peis: Painful Wrinkles
Those cute, velvety folds come with a painful trade-off: Shar-Pei fever. All that excess skin translates to constant infections, painful eye issues, and limited mobility. Some require constant medical care just to be comfortable, all for the sake of their unusual appearance.
10. Scottish Fold Cats: Wait, That’s a Cat!
Alright, this isn’t a dog, but it’s worth a mention. The floppy ears of the Scottish Fold are the result of a genetic mutation that also leads to severe arthritis. It’s a pretty clear-cut case of humans valuing appearance over health in breeding animals.
Is There a Way Back?
Breeders are attempting to undo the harm by breeding healthier traits back into these breeds. Campaigns such as the retro pug movement are demanding a return to more natural, healthier traits. The question is whether buyers will prioritize health over appearance.
The Price of Beauty: Is It Worth It?
Selective breeding has created cute dogs, but at what expense? Many of these breeds now experience painful, lifelong illnesses. It’s time we put well-being before beauty. Next time you choose a puppy, choose a healthier breeder; even better, adopt a mixed breed!
