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A much-used breeding method is line breeding, which
is a form of inbreeding. This method makes animals
vulnerable to genetic defects and diseases. These
defects are the direct consequence of inbreeding,
which is the mating between relatives. This is done
to keep and intensify certain breed characteristics.
Natural selection, a mechanism that prevents sickly
or unsuitable animals from reproducing, is kept out
of the breeding programs, because humans are now constantly
looking after the continued existence of the animals.
Underneath we will outline some examples of problems
that arise with breeding on special breed characteristics
that have unfavorable consequences for dogs:
Chihuahua
Breed characteristics: large head in relationship
to the body.
Consequences: Chihuahua puppies have to be born
through cesareans, because the puppy's heads are too
big for natural birth. There are also instances of open
fontanels ("Chihuahua molera"), which is seen
as a breed characteristic.
Pekinese
Breed characteristics: short snouts
Consequences: it's not uncommon for a Pekinese's
eyes to pop out of their sockets because these do not
fully enclose the eyes.
Boxers
Breed characteristics: short snouts
Consequences: boxers often suffer from respiratory
problems because of their "flattened" snouts.
This is just a very small selection of diseases and
defects (heart disease, coronary disease, blood disease,
endocrine disorders, eye disease, skin disease, nervous
system diseases, digestion disorders, joint diseases
and immunological diseases) that can be directly related
to dog breeding (CIDD).
Constant pain and suffering can be the consequence
of deliberately trying to keep and intensify breed
characteristics.
When the
desired results cannot be obtained (quickly) through
breeding, tails are docked and ears are cropped, tied
off or snapped, right after birth and without anesthetics.
After an earlier ban on the cropping of dog's ears
we now also have a ban on the docking of tails in Holland.
It is still allowed to remove the fifth toes (dewclaws)
from puppies under four days without anesthetics, because
it is assumed that
their nervous system is not fully developed and they
can't feel pain yet. Fortunately a new resolution for
cats and dogs was put in place in the Netherlands since
1st January 1999 that should improve animal welfare
in breederies. This is an indication that not all breeders
care alike about animal welfare. Keeping breed characteristics
is their first priority, optimal health takes second
place.
This is done to animals
because people think that dogs with a certain appearance
look sweet, nice or beautiful. Almost every dog breed
suffers ill effects from breeding. Please note: everyone
who buys a dog like that is helping to maintain these
breeding practices. As long as there is a demand, there
will be a supply.
Do you think
that we have the right to do this to animals?
Unfortunately, these are not the only drawbacks
for dogs. |
