Bred for looks - born to suffer ! RSPCA latest Campaign !

http://www.rspca.org.uk/getinvolved/campaigns/companion/borntosuffer
The way that dogs are bred today, in order to win shows, is having a huge impact on their health and welfare. This is why we’ve launched our Born to suffer campaign which seeks an end to the breeding of dogs based on looks.

But it´s not just show dogs that may be suffering. Many pedigree dogs never appear in shows, but many are bred by breeders who want to produce show-winning animals, and who sell their surplus dogs as pets.
Scientific evidence
According to scientific studies some of the UK´s favourite breeds of dogs have been bred to such extremes that they can no longer breathe or walk normally. For example, dogs with short, flat faces often have narrow nostrils and abnormally developed windpipes. They can often suffer severe breathing difficulties and may have difficulty enjoying a walk or playing. Dogs with folded or wrinkled skin are prone to itchy and painful skin complaints, and dogs with bulging or sunken eyes are prone to injury, pain or discomfort.
These are only a few examples and a recent study showed that all of the 50 most popular breeds have some aspect of their body which can cause suffering.
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Owners of fashionable pedigree pooches are unaware their ´handbag dogs´ could be ´born to suffer´, the RSPCA has said.
Research by the animal charity revealed many people believe pedigree dogs and puppies are healthy, quality animals that come from good breeding stock.
However, the dogs, who are primarily bred for their looks, are vulnerable to unnecessary disease, disability, pain or behavioural problems.

Warning: The RSCPA has said that many owners of pedigree dogs are unaware their dogs, who are born for their looks, are vulnerable to unnecessary disease, disability, pain or behavioural problems
RSPCA senior scientist Claire Calder said: ´Everyone needs to be aware of the serious health and welfare problems affecting pedigree dogs and that dogs bred for looks are born to suffer.
´A cute-looking puppy or dog can be hard to resist, but the result of not looking beyond this can be thousands of pounds spent on vets´ bills and a pet with long-lasting health and welfare problems. This is one of the biggest challenges facing dog welfare in the UK today.´
A survey commissioned by the charity found dog buyers are not doing enough research before getting a new pet.

Pollsters asked 2,127 people what they associate with pure-breed or pedigree dogs.
The top six responses were expense, well bred, from good breeding stock, quality, responsibly bred and healthy.
Victoria Stilwell, presenter and dog trainer from the TV show It´s Me Or The Dog, said: ´I have nothing against dog showing and nothing against responsible breeders.
Angry: Victoria Stilwell says she has something against people who breed animals just for the way they look
Angry: Victoria Stilwell says she has something against people who breed animals just for the way they look
´But what I do have something against is breeding animals just for the way we want them to look, even though that animal is compromised both physically and, a lot of the time, mentally.
´So we have to change. Why are we destroying these animals just because we like the way they look?´

The RSPCA is launching a campaign, Bred For Looks, Born To Suffer, in order to raise awareness of the issue.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2075891/Handbag-dogs-bred-looks-born-suffer-says-RSPCA.html#ixzz1gzggKvyt