100 Years Of Dog 'Evolution' - Rethinking The Doggy Aesthetic Craze That Might Soon Leave Us Battling Frankenstein Pups

Dogs are man’s best friend, but are we truly their best friend?

Jesse

• Published in Interesting
• February 9, 2024

In the grand scheme of canine evolution, we've taken a stroll down the doggy runway, crafting four-legged companions to meet our every whim. But what happens when this noble venture veers off track into some kind of Frankenstein project? Because, I tell you folks, we might have wandered too far into the realm of mad scientist meets man's best friend.

No lies; breeding has given us some stellar dogs along the way. The Border Collie, bred for its smarts, can recognize toy images and perform abstract reasoning tasks that most animals cannot. Let’s not forget the OG workaholics of the canine world: German Shepherds, Belgian Malinois, and Doberman Pinschers. They’re fur-ocious legends when it comes to police work, with gold stars in search, rescue, and protection.

However, our pursuit of the perfect pup has led us down a dubious path of cuteness overload and health hazards. Remember those ‘teacup dogs’ that took the internet by storm? Sure, they’re adorable, but ethical? Not so much. 

Though these pocket-sized pups might comfortably fit into our purses, they come with a laundry list of health issues: underdeveloped organs, low blood sugar, heart defects, and more— it’s like breeding a cute catastrophe.

In the crazed quest for aesthetic perfection, some unethical breeders have embraced inbreeding. This, in turn, leads to a lot of genetic mutations that leave Fido looking like a canine version of the hunchback of Notre Dame.

An interesting post for all dog lovers

What atrocities have we done to dogs over the past 100 years?

“Can we talk about pugs? OMG, we breed for a deformity because we think it's cute.”

“In the US, they have also begun shortening the muzzle of the saint bernard and the english mastiff.”

This is what pitties have been going through

Fashion trends are one of the reasons we’ve been damaging out dogs

For many thousands of years selective breeding was to make dogs fitter and healthier, now its for fashion purposes

“I've heard most dogs owned now have been breeded and never existed naturally.”

“Gotta agree. Though there is some hope. People are starting to look into 'working' versions of the breeds and seeking breeders that mix working lines back in.”

This is really sad

“I feel bad for pugs. Their heads have been bred to be way too small so they suffer infections.”

Another interesting angle

“Dogs might be our best friend, but we aren't necessarily their best friend.”

Bulldogs and pugs have breathing problems because of the way they've been bred to look

It's time to pause and reconsider our priorities. Dogs aren’t fashion accessories, and they aren’t ornaments either. They're our furry confidants who deserve a life free from health complications caused by our whims.

This is a rallying cry to put an end to inhumane breeding practices and shift our gaze to what really matters—the well-being of our four-legged friends. 

Dogs should be bred for behavior, mentality, and overall health. They’re not a fashion statement, and diversity within the doggy verse should be encouraged.

We love them regardless of how fluffy their coat is or how tiny they are in size. After all, a healthy and happy dog is the best kind of beautiful.

We’d love to get your thoughts on this story. Join the conversation in the comments.

Jesse