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Originally Posted by Deckard
Bullshit. They're interested in breed standards above health.
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Even if we look at it this clinically and assume they're cold, heartless people that care nothing about the dog's well-being, isn't it true to say that part of what makes a show-dog viable is good health and fitness? So even if it's for selfish reasons, I think it would be safe to say that people who breed and own show dogs would absolutely be concerned with their dog's health. I mean, you can hardly blame someone who owns and/or shows a French Bulldog with respiratory issues today for the breeding practices that created the breed back in the 1800's or earlier, can you? And what about German Shepherds with their frequent hip problems being used as police dogs? Should police and others who use them be condemned as well since they surely advocate the continuation of the pure breed?
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Originally Posted by Deckard
Standards which, over the years have directly led to what we see today: various breeds having to live with painful deformities and prone to genetic diseases, whether it's breathing problems, joint deformity or prevalence to conditions like epilepsy.
All in the name of pure-breeding.
Health my ass.  |
Actually, the creation of different pure breeds originates with the mutualistic relationship between mankind and canines that has allowed both species to flourish in ways that would have been impossible otherwise. Huskies and Malamutes that served as sled dogs, allowing humans to venture further into polar regions than they could have otherwise. Dachshunds that helped with hunting for food, or helped farmers dealing with badger and rodent problems. Granted, there are certain breeds that were originally bred for no other purpose than to fight, like bulldogs and pit bulls, or to be companions, like the shih tzu and pugs. But generally speaking, most breeds originated out of necessity.
And of course, human tampering with evolution has led to some breeds having inherent health problems, like the bulldog and pug's respiratory system, the german shepherd's hips, dachshunds with their back problems, etc., so maybe it is worthwhile examining whether allowing certain breeds to continue is good or not. But the simple fact is, dogs would be a far, far more marginalized species had humans not formed the relationship with them that we did and started breeding them. And we wouldn't have advanced as a species as quickly and broadly as we have without them either. And while most of us with dogs own them as companions, we can't forget that a huge number of pure breeds are still needed as working dogs around the world
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Originally Posted by Deckard
PETA's protest may be over-the-top and distasteful, but their position on in-breeding and dog showing is sound as far as I'm concerned. And if this protest has gotten them some publicity and got a few people talking about the issue (even while condemning the protestors), then that's no bad thing.
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As far as I'm concerned, any hint of good that may have come from this tact has been completely overshadowed by their incredible display of idiocy.