Why PETA Says It’s a Good Thing Bulldogs, Pugs Eventually Won’t Exist
Bulldogs and pugs are breathing-impaired breeds (BIB) who, according to experts, may not exist for much longer. Due to the genetic diseases that are prevalent in BIBs, pugs, bulldogs, and others will likely reach a point where their health is so poor that they’ll be unable to survive. For the sake of the dogs’ quality of life, their non-existence would be the best thing that could happen. BIBs should never have existed in the first place.
BIBs are known to suffer from brachycephalic syndrome, which leaves many of them struggling just to breathe while they engage in normal activities. Going for a walk, chasing a ball, running, and playing—the things that make dogs’ lives joyful and fulfilling—are impossible for many breathing-impaired dogs. Breeding BIBs such as English bulldogs and Cavalier King Charles spaniels is already restricted in Norway, because they’re so prone to suffering that their existence was deemed cruel and in violation of animal welfare laws. And the Netherlands, which has also banned the breeding of certain BIBs, is considering prohibiting ownership of these animals and their use in advertising.
Breeders and Sellers Know Bulldogs, Pugs, and Other BIBs Are Likely to Suffer
Despite their known health issues, BIBs are sold for thousands of dollars by breeders and pet shops. As revealed in footage captured by a PETA investigator, stores know not to offer a “lifetime warranty” on them due to the breathing-impaired dogs’ health issues. A pet store employee explained that it’s “not if, it’s more of a when and how often are they gonna have problems with their sinuses.”
Humans have bred bulldogs to have unnaturally narrow hips and large heads, and as a result, they’re unable to mate or give birth naturally—an obvious clue that we must stop breeding these chronically ailing dogs. An estimated 80% of bulldogs are bred via artificial insemination (humans insert semen that was masturbated from a male dog into a female dog themselves), and bulldog puppies must be delivered via cesarean section. If the mother dog were to go into labor naturally, the puppies’ heads would be too large to pass through her birth canal. But putting these dogs under anesthesia for C-sections puts their lives at risk, too, as breathing-impaired dogs face higher mortality rates during surgery because of their distorted airways.
Even with medical intervention, one in every five bulldog puppies will die within their first week of life. Those who survive to adulthood will likely suffer from an array of distressing and painful symptoms, including labored breathing, snorting, snoring, coughing, gagging, retching, vomiting, tiring easily, collapsing, and fainting.
Most pet stores that sell puppies obtain them from puppy mills, hellish mass-breeding facilities where dogs are typically forced to live in cramped, squalid conditions with minimal—if any—veterinary care and human interaction.
The Best Way to Help Is by Never Buying Any Dog—Adopt From a Shelter Instead
In light of all the suffering caused by breeding dogs to have flat faces, why do breeders keep doing this? Because people keep buying them—and because events like dog shows entice breeders to produce litter after litter in the hope of having a prizewinning dog they can then profit from by breeding and selling the dog’s puppies. The breeding industry is big business, and as long as there is money to be made by selling, showing, and breeding dogs, greedy breeders will continue to produce more—regardless of how much they cause dogs to suffer in the process.
The solution is simple: Stop breeding and buying bulldogs, other BIBs, and any other dogs. All “purebreds” (flat-faced or not) suffer from congenital and often painful conditions. If you have the time, money, patience, and love to care for an animal for life (which could be for more than 15 years), please adopt one from a shelter. If you already have a breathing-impaired dog, please commit to making his or her life as fulfilling, healthy, and comfortable as you can—but pledge not to buy another one.
