From a young age, I’ve always been fascinated with different dog breeds. I’d spend hours flipping through “The Dog Breed Bible”, looking for the “perfect” breed just for me. But nowadays, the focus is less on the specific dog breed. More owners are choosing to rescue a cute-looking dog, giving it a chance to have a good life. And while this is admirable, it can come with certain problems. The system of how we get our canine friends is in need of change and it’s time to rethink our approach to dog ownership.
Recently, pet behaviors have been worsening. It seems like fear aggression and separation anxiety issues are more common. My mom, a vet, has seen simple procedures, like grooming and nail trimming, now requiring sedation. Correcting behavioral problems can be difficult and expensive and is the leading cause of dog relinquishment in the US.
If we could know more about our dogs’ genes and background, we could have more security about their general temperament. 15-20% of a dog’s personality comes from its genes; that’s where dog breeding comes in. Purposeful breeding allows for the appreciation of each breed- their own unique quirks that make them all the more lovable. Most Americans aren’t looking for an exact kind of dog, but instead just a good dog. Purebred breeding standards are strict, but they don’t focus on physical and behavioral health. There are many inherently unhealthy breeds, like the French bulldog and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, that aren’t being bred to fully address the severe health problems they encounter.
A new movement has started called functional breeding. A few shining examples of this movement include Bosun Dogs, the Companion Dog Project, and The Functional Dog Collaborative (FDC). The FDC was founded in 2020 with the very goal of breeding dogs to prioritize the comfort, lifespan, adaptability, and friendliness of their puppies. This can undermine rigid breed requirements and precise appearance, but the key goal is for the best possible dog-human relationship.
Within rescues and shelters, there are about 3.1 million dogs up for adoption each year. That still doesn’t meet Americans’ demand for dogs, so dog breeding remains necessary. Even the ASPCA, which promotes adoption through rescues, approves of purposeful breeding and acknowledges the existence of responsible breeders.
Functional breeding is a modern solution on how to find a dog just for you in a sustainable way. However, once you’ve got that dog, there is still work to be done. Dogs aren’t just there to make us happy- we also have a responsibility to care for and train them! As well as spending time with them and regulating their physical health, we also have to keep them active. It’s been proven that dogs are less anxious when they know they have a purpose. Whether it’s agility, nosework, competition, or therapy work, the possibilities are boundless. When it comes to finding the right dog, it will take some time, but in the end both you and your dog’s life will be enriched.
Works Cited:
Chira, A.M., Kirby, K., Epperlein, T. et al. Function predicts how people treat
their dogs in a global sample. Sci Rep 13, 4954 (2023). https://doi.org/
10.1038/s41598-023-31938-5
Chrobak, Ula. “Inside the Growing U.S. Movement to Breed Healthier, Friendlier
Dogs.” National Geographic, 25 July 2023, www.nationalgeographic.com/
animals/article/dogs-functional-breeding-purebreds-shelters-rescues.
Accessed 30 Sept. 2023.
Owens, Sydney. “Dog Shows Decline, Breeders and Handlers Wonder about the
Sport’s Future.” theramblertimes.home.blog/
dog-shows-decline-breeders-and-handlers-wonder-about-the-sports-future/.
Accessed 30 Sept. 2023.
