Public being misled on Pugs, French Bulldogs and Bulldogs?

Is the public being misled on Pugs, French Bulldogs and Bulldogs?

Pedigree pure bred dogs can be traced back centuries with their origins mapped to just a small number of breed types. Yes, they are man’s best friend and have been since the breed inception but dogs have all been bred for a specific function which is what breed standards encapsulate. Form and function is what the breed purists hold most dear i.e. the ability to undertake the task they were bred for and being physically and emotionally balanced. This is the aim of all breeders because when you achieve it, irrespective of whether they are out working in the field or just your best friend beside you on the couch, the dog is special to the owner.

The statement “Not all brachycephalic breeds are affected and not all breeds affected are brachycephalic” alludes to the issue that there are numerous factors involved in this syndrome. It is more than just the ratio of skull to muzzle size or the breed itself. It also involves fitness, weight and build. It has been a requirement of any of the breeds in the brachycephalic group to have large open nostrils and this feature has been encouraged for many years. Dogs New Zealand (formerly the New Zealand Kennel Club) is well placed to work alongside veterinary professionals to attain the evidence required and find ways to reduce this issue similar to the manner in which our members test for hip displacement, DNA test for PRA etc.

That is what distinguishes the pedigree pure bred dog from the “fashionably popular cross-breeds” e.g. the Labradoodle which are bred for one specific purpose i.e. coat type. Other features that come with such crosses are ignored. Even a breed purist cannot tell you what to expect in terms of temperament and health when indiscriminate cross-breeding takes place.

Dogs New Zealand lineage dates back to the 1800’s and is a rich source of information. Its breeders now use DNA and physical testing to ensure they are only breeding from the healthiest stock to ensure this lineage continues into the next century.

For that reason Dogs New Zealand hopes that the Trade Me stance is considered for what it is i.e. simply a business decision made by a company as opposed to an unsubstantiated statement of the health and well-being of the three breeds of dogs singled out. Trade Me and the increased access to an advertising platform it has created has afforded popularity and hence sales to the indiscriminate breeders and pushed up demand and price of the dogs offered by them. They offer no guarantee on the sale – and neither do the indiscriminate breeders.

Dogs New Zealand stands behind its pedigree pure-bred dog breeders encouraging them to use all breed specific heath testing where available. It constantly reviews and monitors progress made by its breeders and is confident that with more than 100 years of recorded history of its breeds the public is far more likely to attain a physically and mentally sound dog from a pedigree pure bred dog breeder than from an indiscriminate breeder of cross breed dogs.

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