Cuddly ideal Sweet dogs are often downright ill-bred

Plate noses, short legs: dogs are often bred ill for the cuddle ideal
Germans love pets, especially dogs. Many of them look incredibly cute, but inside they have to go through hell. In some dog breeds questionable breeding standards lead to complaints such as paralysis or shortness of breath. Among breeders and traders are often "black sheep" to find. Experts give tips on what to look for when buying a dog.
Animals are good for humans
In German households live about 28 million pets, the majority are dogs and cats. Although some pets can make us ill by infections with viruses, bacteria, fungi or parasites, but on the whole they are more of a health. Dealing with animals is calming for most people. Even scientifically, the positive effects of the four-legged roommates on our body have been studied. So dogs reduce the risk of asthma, as studies showed. Some people rely on the appearance of a pet very much on the appearance. It should be remembered, however, that many a dog, who looks incredibly cute, must live through hellish torments inside. According to a report by the news agency dpa, questionable breeding standards in many breeds of dogs lead to physical impairments such as paralysis or dyspnoea.

Sweet dogs are often bred. Image: Mikkel Bigandt - fotolia

Over-breeding leads to health problems
A limping German Shepherd with a sloping back, a disturbed Golden Retriever or a pug who can barely breathe through his flat nose: all of these can be the result of overbreeding. Many breeds are concerned with external ideals, for which the animals repeatedly suffer from health problems. If the shepherd dog has a sloping back instead of his once boxy, but strong body, this can lead to the malformation of the hip joint. And a dachshund is susceptible to "dachshunds" with short legs and a long back. In breeds like Golden Retriever, Border Collie or Beagle, some animals tend to have epilepsy and behavioral problems. And Pug, French and English Bulldogs often suffer from respiratory distress due to their extremely flat snouts. All of these problems often mean enormous vet costs for the owner.

Complaints already at low load
Stefanie Wittings and her English Bulldog Angus also had to deal with such problems. "When buying our puppy Angus seemed healthy," said Witting loud dpa. "But with the slightest effort, he was panting heavily and was not resilient." The vet was found that the mucous membranes of the dog were swollen and he could not breathe. In addition, the animal showed behavioral abnormalities. Neither the visit of a puppy school nor helped with an animal psychologist. "After seven months, we threw in the towel," said Witting. "Fortunately, the breeder Angus has withdrawn."

Behavioral problems in dogs
There are a variety of causes behind behavioral problems in dogs, from wrong socialization to educational mistakes - but sometimes also genetically-related diseases play a role. "Due to breeding errors, there is hardly a breed that is free of hereditary diseases," said the biologist and race breeder critic Christoph Jung, according to the news agency. Above all, the professional dog breeding put in his opinion, the foundation for the tormenting. "Over generations, the breed selection is made according to outward appearance and not performance and nature, and so racial traits are over-hyped," said Jung. "Because the more often a dog wins in a competition or is rated well, the more often it is used for breeding. For the breeder this means a lot of money. "This also means: If an award-winning stud dog covers many bitches, it will eventually lead to a high inbreeding rate, and the more impoverished the gene pool.

Media present an audience of millions "fashion doggies"
The Udo Kopernik of the German Kennel Association (VDH) sees it differently: "Our approach is not superlative, the overbreeding deviates from the breed standards." But there are black sheep among breeders and hobby breeders. "It is impossible to control everyone." He said that exhibitions and competitions were not the problem; Rather, the opinion is dominated by the media, "who present fashion doggie to an audience of millions and arouse the desire to own such an animal." Who wants to buy a purebred dog from serious breed, must pay close attention. "The VDH awards breeding rights only to breeders whose animals fulfill the breeding regulations and who pass the breed-specific investment tests," explained Kopernik.

Tips for buying a dog
From the 2012 in the pet register Tasso e. V. registered 1,426 English Bulldogs were only eight puppies of VDH breeders. "When people want something, reason often falls by the wayside," says Kopernik. "They buy at cheap prices over the Internet or from criminal dog breeders who breed the animals in the worst conditions and mate all over." According to the expert, this profiteering must be stopped. People who buy a puppy should carefully check that the animal is at least eight weeks old. In addition, the VDH recommends to ask yourself whether the dog looks healthy, well fed, lively and interested? And also to clarify whether the puppy is chipped, dewormed, vaccinated and registered?

Buyers should insist on a sales contract, vaccination certificate and pet passport. In the latter should, inter alia, name and address of the breeder stand. The opportunity to see parents and siblings should be noticed. If they are in good shape, that is a good sign. In addition, a good breeder also informs himself about the prospect and why he wants the dog. You should not buy from dubious traders, spontaneously or out of compassion. It is often recommended to first look at the shelter to see if a suitable dog is looking for a new home there. (Ad)