Are bulldogs victims of cruel street life or victims of the brutal breeding industry?
By: Benika 10.3
The Middle Paleolithic era was rich in human discoveries and accomplishments: the development of languages, scientific inquiry, the utilization of fire, and the domestication of dogs. The earliest archeological evidence of humans interacting with dogs' dates as far back as 30,000 years ago, indicating that there have been generations of humans that been impacted by the companionship with our fellow furry friends give us- so much so that we began to domesticate and breed them to share and profit off their large snouts and small paws. In puppy mills, dogs are bred depending on their desirable qualities- whether they are compassionate, obedient, fiercely loyal, and social in order to sell as many dogs as possible. Dogs are also selectively bred for their physical features such as short pudgy legs, squished faces, and broad shoulders. You might know these features for being the defining physical characteristics for bulldogs, and you’d be right. Despite their charming personalities, bulldogs are known to have breathing and heart problems due to their flat faces, yet money hungry breeders continue to pass on their debilitating features because of their popularity among dog lovers as bulldogs are ranked in the top 5 for most popular dog breeds according to the American Kennel Club.
Every dog breed comes with its own medical issues: Siberian huskies are more prone to developing autoimmune diseases, shih tzus are more susceptible to knee problems, and beagles have a higher chance of being diagnosed with epilepsy- just like how people with certain predisposed genetics are more likely to develop cancer and Alzheimer's disease. However, it becomes another issue when puppy mills deliberately breed dogs with major health complications to profit off their physical appearances. Studies have found that bulldogs have twice the amount of health risks and issues compared to other dogs. Bulldogs are brachycephalic (flat faced), meaning that they will suffer from severe breathing problems such as BOAS (brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome) because of their deformed windpipes, slim and restrictive nostrils, and excess soft tissue inside their respiratory tract. In addition, their compressed skulls can cause them to develop neurological problems because their craniums aren’t large enough to support their internal organs. Due to their squished faces, they're also more prone to dental issues because their teeth are lined up differently to that of a dog with large and healthy snouts.
Not only are brachycephalic dogs- specifically bulldogs- unethical to breed and sell, but it is also unethical to put the mother through physical torment of childbirth. Their broad shoulders, large heads and narrow pelvises make the birthing process incredibly difficult for the mother, resulting in a C-section as bulldogs cannot give birth naturally 90% of the time.
Like most modern dogs, bulldogs were crossbred with other dogs- including pugs- to create features that they are known for today: squished faces, skin folds, pushed in snouts, and stubby legs. As a consequence of the pursuit for profitable dogs via inbreeding, the bulldog will never be a healthy breed. Some may ask: “If people can crossbreed dogs to create a bulldog, why can’t they crossbreed the bulldog to give it healthier physical features?” It’s simple: We can’t. They’re too inbred. According to National Public Radio, bulldogs are inbred to the point where there is not enough genetic diversity for them to erase their health problems. In addition, crossbreeding with other bulldogs with healthier phenotypes will only be limiting the already small gene pool.
In light of information about the difficulties that flat faced dogs are forced to tackle, there has been a spike in dog owners abandoning their bulldogs and pugs which poses the question: is it wrong to own a brachycephalic dog? If so, what do we do about it? Dogs are pack animals and depend on social human interaction which usually means that they need a home. However, when it comes to buying a bulldog directly from puppy mills, more moral dilemmas come into play. Despite the predicament of welcoming a bulldog into your home, all animal lovers can agree that when a dog is in need of a home, those who are willing to adopt may do so. By looking at the full picture, we can conclude that those who are at fault for the culmination of the bulldog’s detrimental health are corrupt breeders who are after monetary gain. In short, owning a bulldog is not inherently wrong, it’s an issue of if you have the financial stability and time to take care of one. Although tending to a bulldog can be tiresome, their temperament and behavior is truly rewarding and despite their health complications can be genuinely great companions, which is why our ancestors had befriended dogs to begin with.
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