171–180 of 193 posts
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I'm not the person you're replying to, but: I love dogs, I have a dog, and I think dog breeding is a net evil. I wish it would stop. Edit: While it's admittedly over-the-top snarky, this video sums up my feelings nicely: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCv10_WvGxo
Personally I just worry that the result would be all dogs being pitbull mixes.
This is well known. Sometimes people breed the grandfather with the bitch or even the father. I think 'Pedigree certificates' has a lot to answer for in this regard. It doesn't encourage any kind of genetic diversity and people are actively discouraged and punished for trying to introduce new blood into lines. Another group to blame are 'puppy farms', people who breed merely to make money and take no responsibility f…
In general terms I agree. FWIW, my wife breeds white Swiss shepherds, and very much has the health of her animals in mind when she plans a litter. She'll cull (as in remove from her program to a pet home, not take out back and shoot) dogs that don't measure up - either temperament wise, genetics (she tests every dog she keeps using optimal selection's tests), other other traits - one of our fave bitches had to have e…
Very glad to hear there are so many people taking this seriously, there is some hope for at least some breeds!
> She'll cull (as in remove from her program to a pet home, not take out back and shoot) dogs that don't measure up - either temperament wise, genetics (she tests every dog she keeps using optimal selection's tests), other other traits - one of our fave bitches had to have elbow surgery due to a developmental defect that left an unattached piece in her joint.
I would make an argument for culling on the basis of bad temperament - a large breed dog with a bad attitude is a burden only a few are going to be able to handle in the best case. In the worst case it's somebody's child that gets bitten because their parents didn't read the dog.
I would also make a similar argument for any puppy you believe that will require significant or expensive surgery in the future, because the chances are, they won't get it and will suffer. A bad knee joint if quite common in these heavy breeds, but a spinal defect for example is not going to be simply or easy to deal with.
> Most of the worlds kennel clubs have a process for bringing new blood in, where you bring in a dog that LOOKS like your breed, and meets the breed standard.
One problem we've seen is breed definition creep. A lot of these working dogs are no longer capable of doing the work they were selectively bred for because they have been bred for looks alone for too many generations. After about hundred years, there is not an 'expert' alive that knows what the original breed is supposed to be. This is why going back to the breeder's notes have been so important - especially ones around the time when the working dog was actually working.
I think this is one of those studies where you didn't really need to do a study.
A lot of scientific studies are like this. Doesn't make them any less important.
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I don't really believe that luxury cars or jewelry are inherently evil and won't defend those claims. I gave those as examples of (obvious) reasons people might object to those things. >Clearly some ppl buy expensive things to show off, but I dont think it follows that their intention is to demean. I don't think it matters what the intention is. Our society universally denigrates the poor and elevates wealth to a vir…
It sounds a bit like you're arguing that people can't have nice things because it will make others feel bad? It's definitely an unfortunate truth that our brains are wired to compare ourselves and our belongings with others. Still, it's kind of nice to have nice things.
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What a negative and downright wrong thing to say. Dog owners are happier and healthier than non-dog owners. https://time.com/collection/guide-to-happiness/4870796/dog-o...
What does that have to do with dog breeding? Add to the fact, there's more than one way to be healthier and happier.
It's sort of strange that everyone thinks that an aggressive eugenics program for animals is completely normal and morally acceptable (just because it's been going on for a long time). In my opinion, purchasing a purebred pet is cringeworthy at best.
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I uh... I don't think that was a condemnation at all?
I uh... I didn't say it was, but I guess you could legitimately read it that way. I meant "I expected a flood of condemnations, but this is nice." or words to that effect.
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This seems like a judgement call from someone who doesn't understand any of the three topics and therefore sees only the negatives. As an example, dog breeding which I know least of the three topics, provided society (the object in your sentence) with very specific work dogs that have served society for centuries. Imagine the Inuit without their sled dogs. Jewelry and luxury cars are easier to justify, but Im so bewi…
>Im so bewildered I’ll just ask “what problem you can possibly have with luxury cars and jewelry?” I don't believe you. It is pretty obvious someone would object to luxury cars and jewelry: 1. Luxury cars are often wasteful or dangerous to be around. 2. The resources for jewelry are scarce and often extracted with slave labor. 3. Both are often used as displays of wealth, intended to demean people who can't afford th…