After watching BBC Panorama’s Dogs, Dealers and Organized Crime, my heart was broken. The problem of extreme breeding of bulldogs is worse than we thought and changes have to be made to prevent unnecessary suffering. However, most importantly pet lovers have to be made aware of the health implications of horrible practice.
In this article, we will take a deeper look into the extreme dog breeding industry. This is an industry that has been infiltrated by organized crime and has practically turned bulldogs into a commodity. Read on as we explore the issue of extreme breeding of bulldogs and how we can all lend a hand to put an end to this practice.
The popularity of bulldogs with extreme features
The bulldog is one of the most recognizable dog breeds in the world. We have all become accustomed to their stocky athletic build, flat face and underbite. It is no surprise that bulldogs have become very popular among dog lovers.
The English bulldog can be traced back to 1568 when it was a muscular and athletic breed that helped to control livestock. Bulldogs were widely used in a sport called ‘Bull-baiting’ in which they would attack bulls for sport. After baiting was banned in 1835, they mainly became show dogs by the end of the 19th century. Because of dog shows, bulldogs were selectively bred according to the new ‘breed standards’ made by breed clubs. Thanks to these breeding standards and dog show fashion, there has been an extreme physical transformation of bulldogs.
Health Issues caused by extreme breeding
The English bulldog is one of the unhealthiest dog breeds in the world and according to research it might be difficult to improve the bulldog’s health from within its existing gene pool. We will now look at some of the health complications associated with bulldogs because of breeding for extreme features
1: 95% of bulldogs are delivered by Cesarian Section
This is because their heads have been bred to become larger and larger and most dams cannot give natural birth through the pelvic canal.
2: Most bulldogs can’t breed without human intervention
It is hard for a male bulldog to mount and enter a female mate due to his stocky, front-heavy body. This is one of the reasons why bulldogs have to be artificially inseminated.
3: They have breathing and respiratory problems
This problem is due to the enlargement of the soft palate and narrowing of the oropharynx. This is quite common in Brachycephalic Breeds.
4: Bulldogs are extremely intolerant of heat
Because of their short snouts, bulldogs are unable to regulate their temperature through panting as well as other dogs, and even normal activities in intense heat can cause heatstroke
5: They have the highest rate of hip dysplasia in any breed
A 2009 study found that found that 71.6% of the 564 Bulldogs they studied were affected by hip dysplasia. This occurs when the ball of the leg bone does not fit properly into the socket of the hip.
6: Bulldogs have short lifespans
The bulldog lives significantly shorter than the typical dog. Their lifespan is between 8-10 years and they begin to show signs of aging as early as five and six
What can we do to make a change?
Now that you know what kind of suffering is caused by breeding of bulldogs for extreme features, you might be wondering to yourself what you can do to stop this practice. Spreading awareness is a good start because this extreme breeding stems four our obsession with the looks of our pets. Clearly bulldogs are cute but at the expense of their health and well-being.
Organized crime has infiltrated the world of extreme breeding because there is a high demand for bulldogs with extreme features. There are amongst us pet lovers who desire dogs with these features but do they really know how much pain and suffering they are causing the pets they claim to love?
Finally, don’t support bad breeding practices by buying a Bulldog puppy from a breeder or pet store. If you’re considering getting a Bulldog please adopt one from a rescue or shelter.
Final words
Hopefully this article has opened your eyes to the horrors of extreme breeding for bulldogs. As pet and animal lovers, it is our duty to make sure that the welfare of pets is front and centre and we should do all we can to create a better world for them.
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