These are guidelines laid down by the Kennel Club which state how a particular ‘should’ look. I have seen lots of dogs taken on as pets because they have been rehomed by a breeder because they didn’t quite conform to the standard. Comments like, ‘Oh, apparently his back is just a little too long for the show ring,’ and ‘His spots are slightly in the wrong place’. This makes my blood boil. Dogs should be dog-shaped.We have, in selectively breeding certain looks, bred in over 400 genetic defects. Take the Basset Hound for example. It’s legs are far too short to support it’s great length and weight, it’s skin folds become constantly infected, it’s ears trail on the floor and in it’s food, it’s eyelids don’t close properly because they are too droopy. Short- nosed breeds like the Boxer, Bulldog, Pekignese, Pug all have breathing difficulties, their teeth don’t fit in their mouths anymore so become twisted, their tongues are too big for their mouths, their soft palates are too long and get sucked into their wind pipes. The list is endless.
The word ‘pedigree’ gives the impression of a noble beast that it is the best money can buy. This couldn’t be further from the truth anymore. If you want a healthy dog, get a mongrel. At least they still resemble their ancestors in looks and hybrid vigour.
