Being a dog owner is one of the most rewarding things to be in life. The old saying, “A dog is a man’s best friend,” is not far from the truth. Dogs give us unconditional love and loyalty and have been doing so since before agriculture was invented.
Thousands of years later, we expect to see changes within the species just like any other. Some breeds, however, have undergone such significant transformations that most people consider their breeding to be a form of animal cruelty. Therefore, it’s our duty as the consumers to be aware of who and where we get our furry little friends from.
A common, yet poor example of selective breeding, is the English Bulldog. English Bulldogs experience the worst of it all. Bred to fight bulls, their bodies have been extremely morphed. Their heads are so large that when being born, the mother is required to undergo a c-section; Otherwise, her pelvic bone would break giving birth. The English Bulldog is also susceptible to hip dysplasia and arthritis due to their poor bone structure. With their snouts being inherently squished into their face, English Bulldogs also experience breathing problems on the daily. This causes them to overheat quickly and is the reason why they are often seen panting even when they are sitting still.
These issues are only the tip of the iceberg with English Bulldogs as they require intensive and expensive care throughout their lives, which averages at 8-10 years.
If you absolutely cannot resist the squishy face of an English Bulldog or their goofy and intelligent personalities, you should strongly consider rescuing instead of going through a breeder. This way, you get a squishy face to love and care for, while at the same time prevent the encouragement of poor English Bulldog breeding.
Other dogs that face similar issues to the English Bulldog would be the Pug, Basset Hound, Bull Mastiffs, and relatively any other dog with a shortened snout.
The Australian Cattle Dog, on the other hand, is an ideal companion who tends to have a healthier breeding history. Their build and athleticism combine to make this breed one of the healthiest with the least amount of hereditary issues. The Australian Cattle Dog has a lifespan ranging from 12-16 years old. In fact, Bluey, a dog of this breed, holds the record for the oldest dog to ever live at 29 years old. While it's possible that this is a coincidence, even the healthiest English Bulldog would not be able to live to this age.
Dogs like the Australian Cattle Dog who hold good breeding backgrounds would include the Beagle, Bichon Frise, and the Havanese.
In short, I want to emphasize the necessity of doing research prior to purchasing a dog. Dogs give us so much love and happiness. The least we can do in return is encourage healthy dog breeding so that they can live happily and comfortably.
