Should the English Bulldog standard be changed?

I'm not against the bulldog, just think the standard should be changed so breeders don't continously breed for smushed faces, flab, and huge heads.





Problems:


1) It's extremely dangerous to allow standard bulldog bitches to naturally whelp because unlike nearly all other breeds, bulldogs have tremendous heads which require C-sections. The pup's head gets stuck in the birth canal, trapping other pups inside Mom.


2) Full of health problems. Skin problems, food allergies--what else? These are side effects of the smushed nose and wrinkles.


3) Does not seem to have a purpose. I know we shouldn't decide whether dogs should LIVE or not just whether or not they help us, but the bulldog does not really get or do anything through existence--they sit, sleep, and eat. They don't protect, they can't run/swim cuz of their massive heads, and they can't move as freely as other dogs cuz their heads weigh them down, literally.





So, should the breed standard be changed or not?

Should the English Bulldog standard be changed?
I would like to see that changed! Did you see the show Nature on PBS recently, it was a 2 part show about "Dogs that changed the world" and they addressed the issue of the bulldog's changed image. It was a great show and will probably be on again this month if you missed it!
Reply:Hone, are you in the Bulldog club of America or the country you live in? If not, why not? The parent clubs of various breeds are the organizations that decide what the standard reads. Standards are rarely changed and whenso, it is done by people extremely knowledgeable in the breed and for good, justified reasons. If you are an active member of the parent club and are knowledgeable in the breed and wish to get your parent club to address the breed standard, by all means, do so but to put it up as a silly question on a silly internet q/a forum to people who don't have a clue or care about the breed is just inane on face. How many Bulldogs have you taken through varoius performance venues? How many Bulldogs have you reared and finished in the breed ring and know that all that you say applies to them? I for one have only minimum association with the breed but have known obedience titled ones, finished dogs that can outmove many breeds even with their 'heads that weigh them down' :) Maybe your perception is based on quality dogs that are bred by concerned breeders that adhere to the breed standard and maybe it isn't, huh? I never noticed any Bulldogs in the breed ring dragging their heads or anything else around nor just 'sit, sleep and eat'ing :) Maybe your experience is a bit limited?
Reply:Absolutely NOT !!!


First I think you need to do a bit more research on the breed before posting .





1) C-sections are done for a number of reasons , c-sections are a relatively new procedure . Do you think this was done 100 years ago ?? How do you suppose they haven't become extinct ?? Free whelped ! Not because their heads are to big , but because the ***** tires . Also if the ***** should be carrying a water pup there is no way a Bulldog or any other dog for that matter could pass it.





2 ) I've owned , bred %26amp; showed Bulldogs for a number of years . The health issues you list above are not exclusive to bulldogs and are not because they are brachycephalic . Personally I haven't had any health related issues.





3 ) They were originally bred to bait bulls thus the name BULLDOG .





I'm sorry but unless you actually own one your pretty clueless. For the record I am a proud member of the Bulldog Club Of America and wouldn't trade them for any other breed
Reply:The standard IS being changed - the wrinkles resting on their noses is being bred out of the breed to aid their breathing, amongst others.
Reply:I thik something should be done, and not just for bulldgs, as other breeds have problems too. Animal health should come before arbitrary characteristics.