Bulldogs sure are endearing, and bulldog lovers may love their pets to death, literaly. You see, bulldogs are bred to look that way, and the lengths that people are willing to go to get that cute look is killing the breed:
“It is the most extreme example of genetic manipulation in the dog-breeding world that results in congenital and hereditary problems,” Pacelle said.
Brenda Bonnett, a consulting veterinary epidemiologist and a speaker at the conference, outlined the results of her study of Swedish dog-insurance data from 1995 to 2006. She told conference attendees that bulldogs are significantly more likely than other dogs to suffer from a wide range of health issues, including ear and eye problems, skin infections, respiratory issues, immunological and neurological problems and locomotor challenges.
Can the bulldog be saved? Benoit Denizet-Lewis wrote an interesting article for The New York Times Magazine about how the bulldog breed can redesigned ... and whether we should do so: Link (Photo: Andrew Bettles for The New York Times) - via PopSci
I would never own a pure bred or a dog that has been selectively bred for one trait like size (great dane-chihuahua). Individual dogs may be lucky and not have issue with their joints or breathing but in the long run these dogs are ticking time bombs of bad genes.
I have always and will always get the muttiest mutts I can find.
I've been trying to follow the over-breeding bad-breeding issue ever since I watched the BBC: Exposed.
I really appreciated this read. Normally I follow Neatorama because the things are interesting, but this is the first time I've really appreciated being clued in and kept up-to-date on something important to me.
Anyway, I like the Old English Bulldogge they show in the article better anyway. I always feel terrible for dogs like English Bulldogs in the summer...They can't breathe as it is, then adding the heat to that...
We have a french bulldog designer mutt (2/3 frenchie, 1/3 boston terrier), and even w/ the cross we still had to get his nasal passages opened when he was a puppy. He's totally fine other than that though.
You have litters where the dogs are blind and deaf, but then again, Georgia fans still buy them because of them being a UGA descendant.
As with all matters, consider that this was written from one perspective (using some questionable, underpowered studies). There are many bulldogs who live healthy, happy lives and I've owned 5 of them! Backyard breeding, puppy mills and those looking to turn a quick buck off of the popularity of this breed amongst the uninitiated are responsible for many of the problems.
As for the nobody needs to buy pure-bred dog comments, get real. A pound mutt doesn't come with any guarantees.