How a century of breeding 'improvement' has turned once-healthy dogs into deformed animals Discussions

The common perception of purebred dogs is that they are more striking, beautiful animals than they would be without human intervention.
However, that notion has been thrown to the dogs.
Strong photographic evidence has emerged that shows how 100 years of breeding has actually warped the good looks of the original hounds



Ear we go: The basset hound has been transformed


The Kennel Club Assured Breeder Scheme is the only scheme in the country that sets standards for and monitors breeders, but outside of this there is no regulation to protect dogs or guide puppy buyers.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2519314/How-century-breeding-improvement-turned-healthy-dogs-deformed-animals.html#ixzz3JEzil3hL

Overall agree with the article, but it was clearly written for shock value and the general unknowing public.

If not why not use the same sex to compare in all the photo's?
Why use a short hair and a long hair to compare in the other set?
The bulldog used is from a photo debate that is years old.
The St Bernard has never been a warmer climate dog.

A better look at the issue is easy, look at a 100 years ago working Neo mastiff vs a Modern day Neo mastiff, then search for a pic of a Cane Corso, you will swear the first pic is a Cane Corso and the modern Neo is the completely different breed.

Interesting article Tina.

I think that this is typical Daily Mail rabble rousing. How can we take the views of someone with the name Mus Musculus seriously?
Yes. Dogs have changed over time, and not always for the better, but I would bet that the modern Basset has fewer back problems than the historic type, and to me, its feet look more compact and cushioned. The modern dogs may look deformed to his eye, but the more serious problems in many breeds are invisible ones - cancer, SM, epilepsy, heart disease etc., the genes for which must have also been present in the ancestral stock. At least the best breeders aided by genetic research are trying to do something to correct the problems they have inherited

@CaroleC - "Mus musculus" is the name for a house mouse - and is the name the blogger who published the photographs with his comments about the changes in the dogs mentioned uses/used.

The journalist who wrote the article, which was published as "News" on 6 December 2013 presumably had not picked up on that fact - neither, obviously, did the Daily Mail!

It is still an interesting article, nonetheless.

It might be an interesting article, but to be honest I would take it with a pinch of salt.

Its all speculation , how does he know the dog of old was healthier than the dog of today, plus he says since we interfered with them, well does he think the basset , Boxer, dachshund of old, made themselves, they are ALL man manufactured.

Yes interesting piece, nothing new though. At least more people might be able to see what humans have done to our canines