Purebred Controversy
Today we will be discussing the controversy around purebred companion animals such as dogs and cats.
To begin, purebred means having parents of the same breed. This practice is typically done for dog or cat shows. These shows are competitions based on an animal conforming the most to breed standards for physical characteristics. This practice dates pretty far back but did not begin to be fully and actively documented until about the early 19th century.
Purebreds were a symbol of wealth since only those who had money could afford to own and show these animals. It was a competition for status and prestige. As time has gone on, these shows have evolved to be purely competitions. Some individuals do breed to try to create the “perfect” animal of that specific breed, however, it has gotten out of hand.
Some of the problems that arise from pure breeding are a lack of genetic diversity, physical deformities being considered a breed standard, and puppy mills as discussed in the previous blog post.
A lack of genetic diversity has begun to be a problem with purebred animals. This means that many purebred animals are related to one another which creates problems in their genetic code ranging from internal illness to physical ailments. One way to resolve this problem is to introduce new genetic material from different breeds, however, some breeders are very passionate and strict with their practice that they would not consider doing such a thing because the animal will no longer be considered “purebred”. Another solution would be to have genetic tests done on all parents to make sure that no genetic lines are being crossed or that certain illnesses will not be passed on. At the end of the day, it may be best to do away with purebreds since they are no longer used to symbolize the same things as they were originally intended for, but that is just my opinion.
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Another problem that arises with purebred animals is their breed standards which can result in praising certain physical deformities. When you look at the original animals of these breeds, you will see that they look a lot different than today. Some of the common breeds that struggle with these issues are pugs, Spaniel breeds, Scottish folds, and “munchkin” cats. These are not all of the breeds that have physical ailments due to breed standards, but this is a good place to start.
To begin, pugs are very cute dogs, but because of how close their snout is to their face it makes it very difficult for them to breathe. This is called brachycephalic. This means that it is very hard for the animal to get air into their system to get oxygen and to cool themselves down too since dogs pant to do just that. Although this is a big issue for many brachycephalic breeds, people still choose to breed and buy for this look.
The next breed with physical deformity is the Spaniel breed. The issue this breed has is called cranial deformity/skull malformation. It is where the skull is too small to house the brain causing undue pressure put on the brain which can result in seizures. This too is considered a breed standard. The small skull helps showcase their long flowing ears even though it is causing harm to the animal.
Scottish folds will be the next breed we will discuss. Scottish folds are known for the curl that their ears take on giving them their name. However, many people don’t realize that this fold is actually detrimental to the animal’s health. The problem here is called osteochondrodysplasia. This is a hereditary disorder where connective tissue, bone, or cartilage develop abnormally. Although some Scottish folds seem healthy, this is typically a problem that worsens with age making it almost impossible for the animal to function due to things such as advanced degenerative joint disease.
The last breed we will discuss is “munchkin” cats. Although they are not recognized as purebred they are considered a “fashion” breed. These cats are known for their very short legs while having an average-sized body. The problem here is called achondroplasia, it is a form of dwarfism affecting the joints and spine. This breed only exists because people deem them cute, but like the other breeds discussed in this post, they all have deformities that will cause unnecessary pain and harm to the animal.
The point of this post is to bring awareness to others of the potential problems that can arise due to certain physical and genetic deformities being deemed necessary due to looking “cute”. Whether you own one of these breeds, want one of these breeds, or are a breeder, please take the time to research information on your pet so that you can best care for them and/or help prevent these hereditary issues from being passed on. We can’t change these genetic issues overnight, but we can aid the animals who have them and push to have breed standards changed so no more animals will be born with these problems simply because it is deemed cute or appealing.
If you have made it to the end, thank you again for taking the time to read this post. I know it is long, but I hope I have helped bring and spread awareness on this topic. Have a good night and enjoy your weekend.
Originally published at https://pawsitively-exquisite.myshopify.com on May 21, 2022.
