Brachycephalic dog breeds
prosecution. However, according to Wedderburn (2016), ‘ nobody has ever been prosecuted for the cruelty of animals caused by breeding creatures who are born to suffer ’ . This quotation demonstrates how there is currently no incentive for breeders to breed brachycephalic dogs in ways that protect the breed’s genetic diversity and the welfare of the dogs. This, therefore, highlights the importance of banning the breeding of these brachycephalic breeds in the UK in order to protect the welfare of the dogs and prevent them from suffering throughout their lives from breed-related illnesses. In addition to brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome, many brachycephalic dogs also suffer from corneal ulcers, dermatitis, spine abnormalities linked to the spiral shape of their tails, and the inability to complete parturition (giving birth) ( Vets urge revision of breed standards to protect animal welfare , 2016). Accor ding to this vet’s blog post (Rayetz, 2017) , ‘ breeds such as the [British] bulldog cannot complete parturition without surgical intervention ’. Due to the roundness of the bulldog’s facial conformation, it is impossible for the female to give birth without the need for a caesarean. If a dog cannot give birth without surgical intervention, it is veterinary surgeons that are keeping the breed alive artificially for the benefit of the breeders. In my opinion, this is a clear indication that continuing the breeding of these bulldog breeds is unnatural and should be stopped. Defective genes are spread throughout the generations of bulldog without removing those worst affected from the breeding population. According to a 2016 research paper (Pedersen, 2016), the British bulldog breed is almost at a genetic bottleneck, with ‘ insufficient phenotypic and genotypic diversity to reverse select [against unwanted traits] without further decreasing existing genetic diversity ’. Humans have selectively bred a canine population to the point that the damage we have caused has little chance of being reversed without introducing other breeds to rescue the gene pool diversity. The combination of a small founding population and selective breeding has in effect pushed the British bulldog past the point of no return (Rayetz, 2016). This demonstrates that there is no other way to protect the welfare of these animals than to ban the breeding of these dogs in the UK. On the other hand, banning the breeding of these dogs may not affect the national demand for these puppies. This year over 62,000 brachycephalic Kennel Club-registered puppies have been purchased (Brown, 2021). However, the estimated number is most likely above 100,000 when considering unregistered breeding. Introducing a ban on breeding brachycephalic dog breeds would probably escalate the situation, as this ban would only be enforceable to Kennel Club registered breeders who already have to follow strict rules when breeding brachycephalic breeds. In reality, a ban of this magnitude would cause many existing breeders to de-register with the Kennel Club and continue breeding unofficially, where the genetic diversity of certain breeds could no longer be evaluated. Additionally, as mentioned in the above paragraph, banning the breeding of these dogs is unlikely to affect the demand for these puppies and could result in fewer owners taking them to the vet due to fear of prosecution for purchasing a banned puppy breed. This would dangerously affect the already dire situation of animal welfare concerns as the puppies would not be given the treatment they need to express normal behaviour and live a life free from suffering. As stated by the British Small Animal Veterinary Association, ( BVA and BSAVA statement on brachycephalic breeds , 2016): ‘ Vets have a duty to always prioritise the best interest of their pet patients, which, for affected animals, can involve performing surgical procedures to
245
Made with FlippingBook interactive PDF creator