King Charles Cavaliers, Dachshunds, Bulldogs, Pugs, Corgis… These dog breeds, very popular with the French, all have one thing in common which could well change their appearance. A European measure could indeed change everything.
Who has never melted in front of the adorable squashed face of a bulldog or a pug? Or in front of the absolutely cute little paws of a dachshund or a corgi? We love them precisely for these atypical physiques which make them as funny as they are cute… but this is also what could mark their disappearance… Victims of their cuteness, these dogs with “extreme” features are the subject of a new European measure, which aims to prohibit their reproduction.
In recent years, several countries such as Norway and the Netherlands have already reached the milestone. From now on, all EU members will have to comply with it (including France), once the legislation is definitively adopted by the Parliament and the Council. But why are these dogs threatened with extinction?
It’s all about animal health. Veterinarians say it: the French bulldog, for example, is the breed of dog with the most fragile health. But this is also the case for the English bulldog, the boxer, the pug, the Staffordshire bull terrier, the shih tzu, the Shar Pei, the Boston terrier, the Pekingese, the Cavalier King Charles, or even the Lhasa Apso…
What do they have in common? They are purebred dogs, victims of genetic selection which has greatly altered their living conditions for generations. Short legs, flattened muzzle… These completely adorable physical traits, and highly sought after in breeding, dog competitions or simply by adopters, have led to an amplification of very serious health problems such as breathing difficulties, herniated discs or even skin diseases. These forced genetic mutations ended up favoring aesthetics, to the detriment of animal welfare. This is why the European Union will establish a precise list of hypertypes (the distinctive features of each race accentuated to the extreme) concerned by this ban. Thus, animals carrying these modified genes will no longer be able to reproduce. This could therefore mean a disappearance of these races as we know them, but not necessarily a total disappearance.
Eventually, dachshunds will perhaps simply become less long or shorter on their legs, without ceasing to exist. This development could also pave the way for a more ethical definition of dog breeding, where priority would be given to the health and comfort of the animals. More natural crosses, guided by veterinary rather than aesthetic criteria, could bring about more balanced, more robust lines, but just as endearing.
