Humans domesticated dogs over 30,000 years ago. Dogs once served to protect families, work on farms, and hunt, but now people depend on dogs for companionship. Over the course of the evolution of dogs, the last tens of thousands of years were heavily impacted by humans. Artificial breeding has created over 450 dog breeds recognized around the world. This selective breeding has created faster, bigger, smarter dogs, but what about the dogs bred simply for looks? Popular breeds such as French bulldogs, pugs, and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have all been bred by humans over time to achieve an eternal “baby face”. While the characteristics of having a big head, pushed in snout, and bug eyes are undoubtedly cute, they come at a cost.
Eschner explains in her article, “The Evolution of Pet Face”, the dangers of artificial breeding and how humans are the number one contributor to declining canine health. Most notably, humans manufactured the condition called brachycephaly. Dogs with this condition have wide and flat skulls. Although this may be cute, it is deadly. A 2017 study found that dogs with brachycephaly are 100 times more likely to have corneal ulcers, heat strokes, and cases of pneumonia. Additionally, the study found dogs with brachycephaly are also 80 times more likely to suffer from skin cancer and fungal skin disease. All of these comorbidities are directly linked to humans selecting for dogs with the highly desired smushed in “pet face” common to pugs and French bulldogs. Dogs with brachycephaly also have breathing problems due to their shorter snouts and elongated palettes crowding the back of their mouths. These problems often lead to sleep apnea or respiratory infections. It is not uncommon for dogs of this stature to have surgery in order to correct their long-term breathing problems.
Although brachycephaly leads to breathing problems and discomfort, there is an even scarier development to this phenomenon; now, some breeds are unable to procreate on their own. The presence of brachycephaly has evolved larger and larger heads in such breeds. Additionally, it is not uncommon for the large heads to be paired with narrower hips. Mothers with narrow hips make birthing to large headed dogs almost impossible. The 2010 UK Kennel Club survey of 13,141 dogs found that 80% of Boston terriers, bulldogs and French bulldogs needed a cesarean section in order to birth their puppies. In other words, due to artificial selection, humans have effectively ended the natural reproduction of multiple breeds for purely aesthetic reasons.
Now just because the general public is becoming more aware of this phenomenon does not mean that these types of breeds will go away. They are some of the most desirable and expensive breeds because they do make wonderful pets despite their health conditions. However, it does show how important it is for people to do their own research before buying a dog. Additionally, it is worthwhile to take a look at your puppy’s parents and their physical characteristics to determine if your puppy has the genes of a healthy and happy companion.
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/evolution-petface-180967987/
Shannon Gray (2)
I've always found dogs incredibly cute, and have been fascinated by their appearance. I've seen images of dogs more than 50 years ago compared to the dogs now and the difference is insane. I find it unbelievable that humans have selected for traits that are endangering pets. Knowing more about the health issues makes me more conscious about dog breeds.
ReplyDeleteJackelyn Raymundo Santizo
This is a very informative post. I had no idea that humans are selecting for traits that are endangering pets. I agree, even if more people learn about the health impacts of selecting traits, not all are going to stop. Unfortunately some people will still continue to selfishly do this without considering the health of their future pet. Hopefully more people do their research about what breed of dog they choose.
ReplyDelete-Zach Conant
Hi Zach! Thanks for reading! And yes I agree it is very selfish of the breeders. I think most owners simply do not know about these dangers, but that is why it is so important to research a dog before you commit to its life!
Delete- Shannon Gray
I had never considered before how artificial selection would be able to end the natural birth process for animals like the Boston terriers, bulldogs, and French bulldogs. Without the ability to procreate by themselves a breed of dogs could go exctinct and so why all the health implications like brachycephaly are all serious undesirable conditions, making the mothers unable to birth their puppies is certainly the most negative effect brought on by dog breeding. So is the question now how can we reverse this breeding pattern?
ReplyDeleteI agree the question is now how do we fix this. I think that it is important to address this problem nationally soon because the more they artificially select, the more present all of these traits will be in the breeds until it is too late!
Delete- Shannon Gray
^^^ This is Declan Downing (sorry I forgot to add my name again).
ReplyDeleteI wonder what the best way to curb this may be. I personally have told people about these dangers, and then had them go on to get one themselves. If they were made illegal to breed and purchase, the wicked rich would just go to another country to get them. You could make them illegal to own, but then you would have the government taking people pets, but that's a bad idea for hopefully obvious reasons. This is an interesting article!
ReplyDelete-William Sobchuk
Great post! As a dog owner and lover it made me very sad to read how breeding can be very harmful to dogs however this post was very informative and contained very important information for those who are interested in becoming a dog owner to know!
ReplyDeleteHi Soulyah, thank you for reading! As a dog owner myself I agree completely. It is sad how humans artificially selecting and controlling breeding has led to this!
Delete- Shannon Gray
Awesome post, thanks for letting us know the issues with how humans are affecting dogs by picking and choosing specific characteristics in their dogs. What I didn't know was all the problems that were included with all of it, especially for the bulldogs and pugs. Hopefully we can find a way to change this and give these breeds happy lives than just having them like an accessory.
ReplyDelete-Selena Yim
Delete