German Shepherd Dogs Dying In Misery Due To Intensive Breeding

[Purveyor]

Henry Bodkin
28 JULY 2017 • 1:00AM



German Shepherds are living and dying in misery due to intensive breeding for “cosmetic” reasons, a major new report by the Royal Veterinary College has found.

A survey of data collected from 430 clinics across the UK reveals arthritis, cancer, aggression and sloping backs are afflicting the breed at higher rates than others due to aggressive selection.

Nearly one in two German Shepherds is being put down because they are unable to walk, experts said.

If the general public refuse to buy these dogs then the breeders will stop breeding them
Dr Dan O’Neill, Royal Veterinary College
They said the trend would only cease when pet owners stop buying unnaturally shaped dogs.

The report follows an outcry at Crufts last year after a German Shepherd with an abnormally sloped back and painful looking gait won a “best in breed” prize.

more...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/07/28/german-shepherds-dying-misery-due-intensive-breeding/

I've always thought that "look" appeared awkward and unnatural. I've had 2 shepherds in my life (so far) and neither of them had that sloping back. Lost both to cancer but never had hip issue with Auge and Suzie.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. It's terrible what some breeders do with animals.

There are these German shepherds with bad backs and hips, pug dogs and Persian cats with abnormally flat noses that make it hard for them to breathe, and many other intentionally-bred deformities that people think make the animals "attractive." I know of a couple of overbred Persian kittens who actually failed to survive because they couldn't eat and breathe at the same time. It's insane and cruel.

[elehhhhna]

4. Have you seen the new super muscular bully breed freak dogs

Have you seen the new super muscular bully breed freak dogs? Horrific

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

10. How about "Munchkin" cats?

Last edited Fri Jul 28, 2017, 03:26 PM - Edit history (1)

The cat version of the dachshund, with abnormally short legs. They can't jump like normal cats and they have all the same back problems as dachshunds. At least there was once a reason for breeding the dachshund body type - to hunt burrowing animals - but those dogs also have been overbred to have extremely short legs and extremely long bodies, with the sort of spinal problems you'd expect. Munchkin cats are the result of intentionally breeding a mutation because some people think they're cute, but they have spinal problems like dachshunds.

[GoCubsGo]

17. Grrrrrrr.....

I hope there is Hell, as there would be a special place there for those who breed and buy Munchkin cats. A pox on every last one of those wretches. I kind of understand why dachshunds were originally bred to be that way, but there is no fucking excuse for doing this to cats.

[procon]

2. Poor baby, he just looks miserable.

With that abnormal posture his joints and muscles must be under a tremendous strain and causing him a lot of pain.

The judges should do more to stop the breeding of these artificial 'designer' traits. There should be a new protocol where a judge could eliminate dogs from the show ring if they don't meet the breed standards. The only way to stop the breeding these animals is to remove the money by disqualifying them from the showring.

[mopinko]

16. this

i totally blamed the judges for this shit. how hard is it to see these trends? stop them cold.
no unsound dog should ever make it in the show ring. ever.

[Doreen]

3. I will also point out that what you see is the American line.

the Europeans German Shepherd Dogs have full form and non sloping backs.

I am very much into German Shepherds and have had a German Shepherd with one parent that was a cross of American line and European line and the other parent full European line and he was healthy. The breeder made sure the dog with American line was not bred to have such a slanting back. My other German Shepherd was full European line.

When you get a German Shepherd from a breeder that tends to use their Shepherds for herding and not so much show the slanted back is looked down on. Americans tend to take any breed of animal ( any type of animal ) and change something in its looks and conformation and most of the time it makes the animal unhealthy.

[elehhhhna]

5. Americans also breed for size and overweight dogs are becoming normalized in the AKC

Adopt, don't shop

[defacto7]

11. I've had 3 GSs from the German line...

I brought here to the states because of the declining American line. These were fine animals and lived very long and healthy lives. I have also watched the decline of the breed affecting European GSs similar to the decline I watched in the US in the 70s and 80s. I wish it wasn't so but I have stopped trying to fight the breeders power over what's become an international industry. I put in 30 years of my personal time but with little sucess.

My personal dogs have been the finest friends and protectors a person could ask for.. including my non German ones whose lines are now pretty well quashed.

[Doreen]

15. I agree with the decline of the European line ( not as drastic as the American line. )

I have noticed the European line has been pushing the King Shepherd which has the full conformation of the European line but much larger than a standard Shepherd. I have seen that and it bothers me because of the weight on the hips and joints. My dogs were also great. One of them was my service dog and he was the epitome of a German Shepherd.

[defacto7]

6. Don't only blame the breeders....

blame the AKA. I've had many GSs over the last 30 years and have watched their decline. It makes me angry and sad. The AKA is complicit and deserves consternation for their apathy and stupidity.
I've done my best to save that breed but the only way now to protect the best traits is to mix breed only a few best candidates and sterilize the rest. Having watched and worked across borders to affect better practices for German Shepherds over the years, I have little to account for it and no small blame to the dog world's version of the GOP.... the AKA.

[demmiblue]

7. I looked for some video of the Cruft's event...

[Sunlei]

9. lol mr stud dog wants to breed the female BOS shepherd.

[Sunlei]

8. dog show judges pick these "Best of Breed"-everyone wants a "champion" sired dog these days.

Crufts has a problem with show judges? or perhaps the sloped back & 'floating trot' IS the german shepherd breed standard.?

[Omaha Steve]

12. Thank YOU for making us ALL aware!!!

K&R!

OS

[smirkymonkey]

13. Poor doggies!

I just saw the cutest German Shepherd puppy yesterday tied up outside a store. His little front leg was broken and in a cast. He was so loving and adorable I just wanted to take him home.

[trof]

14. Terrific dogs. We've had 4 over the years.

Our daughter grew up with them from the time she was two.
She told me that when she sees one now she feels like it's a sibling.
The sloping back looks horrible to me.