Over the past century, humankind has created the Internet, television, and space travel. However, dogs have also been evolving, so they haven’t been idle. But others also provided assistance to them. It’s safe to say that the most common dog breeds today have gotten worse when compared to a century ago. In other words, although the dogs may now have a more impressive appearance, their health suffered in the process. Breeds like Basset Hounds, which were born with short legs, have grown even shorter as a result; as a result, their leg joints are under more stress and they are more prone to illness. Additionally, some dogs—like pugs—have developed muzzles that are so flat that breathing becomes difficult for them. However, let’s not get ahead of ourselves and instead address each breed separately.
Bull Terrier
The Bull Terrier’s history started in the 1850s when a Birmingham resident named James Hinks made the decision to dedicate his life to creating a new breed of dog. Hinks and his supporters eventually crossed the English bulldog, white English terrier, and Dalmatian from the animated series “101 Dalmatians” for this purpose. As a result, a species of dog known as the Bull Terrier emerged, whose head in particular gives it an intimidating and even menacing appearance.
Dachshund
The goal to lengthen and shorten dachshunds has not produced the desired results: today’s dachshunds are leading the way in intervertebral disc dislocation and even paralysis. The only bright spot in the modern world is that most abnormalities can be found in dogs before they show symptoms because of the wide amount of healthcare products, including even a dog DNA kit.
The English Bulldog
Bulldogs were developed especially for the brutal English sport of herding bulls, which was outlawed in 1835. The “profession” that these dogs were first thought to have played a significant role in shaping the breed, giving bulldogs stronger paws, thicker carcasses, and deeper facial wrinkles. Generally speaking, an English bulldog should not do what is good for a bull.
Erdelterrier
The Eardel Terrier does not seem to have evolved much in the nearly 150 years since the breed was first acknowledged. However, it hasn’t! The coat of the Eardel terrier has been transformed to long, thick and even dense from the previous short and smooth one. It would be possible to make something dramatic to say here, but fortunately, the Eardels’ health has not suffered from years of inbreeding; they are lively and joyful.
The Basset Dog
Long ago, Basset Hounds were stunning, elongated creatures. Alright, alright, they weren’t. As you can see, though, they did have somewhat longer legs, which made them easier to maneuver. Furthermore, basset hounds’ eyes were not as sad as they are now; pathological alterations to the eyelid caused this. The bassets of today also have spinal issues.
German Boxer
The world saw boxers for the first time in 1895 at a St. Bernard show in Munich. The current Boxer breed was created by mating Mastiffs and Bulldogs, although its ancestor is thought to have been the now-extinct Bullenbeisser breed. Observe how the boxer’s muzzle has shrunk during the past 100 years. Unfortunately, boxers have a very difficult time breathing and thermoregulating due to the structure of their skulls.
Pug
Upon initial observation, it appears that the pug has undergone minimal changes. However, the harsh reality remains that pugs born in the early 21st century face the same hardships as those born in the early 20th century. The flat muzzle causes issues with breathing and the flow of oxygen to the lungs, which in turn causes issues with the circulatory system. Furthermore, the pug’s signature curly tail is actually a genetic flaw that can cause paralysis.
Beethoven
Of course, that’s the St. Bernard. The St. Bernard Monastery in the Swiss Alps inspired the name of these magnificent, large dogs. In the seventeenth century, the practice of using St. Bernards to rescue victims of avalanches was developed. But even then, two centuries later, St. Bernards were more compact and nimble. Moving into homes with central heating and less frequent snowfall, St. Bernards grew larger, and heavier, and developed a variety of weight-related ailments, including blood clotting and spinal cord disorders.
Conclusion
Popular dog breeds have undergone significant changes in the last century, which amply illustrates how human intervention in breeding can negatively impact the well-being and health of animals. In their quest for external beauty and adherence to norms, numerous breeds have encountered grave issues. It’s critical to keep in mind that our four-legged friends’ well-being and quality of life should come first, and we should work to create breeds that are not only gorgeous but also healthy.