A list of dog breeds with torture breeding characteristics

In this article you will find out:

• What torture breeding is
• Which known dog breeds suffer from torture breeding
• What typical torture breeding characteristics there are
• What the current legal regulations look like
• What you can do against torture breeding

Would you like to get a furry friend, but want to be sure that you are not supporting torture breeding? We'll show you the most common traits of torturous breeding and which dog breeds are particularly affected:

The term "torture breeding" means that an animal has been bred with characteristics that cause pain, suffering or damage to the animal itself or its offspring. That's why we at VEGDOG speak out clearly against torture breeding and appeal for the adoption of dogs. Our vet Carla gives a deeper insight into this topic.

We have compiled a list of dog breeds that suffer from torture breeding or are susceptible to certain diseases due to their breeding. This will help you to be better prepared when choosing your new four-legged friend and to take preventative measures with dogs that suffer from torture breeding:

• French and English Bulldog
• Boxer
• Welsh Corgi
• Chihuahua
• Pekinse
• Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
• Australian Sheperd
• Pomeranian or also Miniature Spitz
• Cocker Spaniel
• Sheepdog
• Basset
• Shar Pei
• Dobermans
• Collie and Border Collie
• Australian Sheperd
• Sheltie

The dog breeds that exist today are far removed from the original wolf and in many cases have been bred primarily for beauty. This has resulted in unnatural characteristics, which we point out below.

Short and round-headedness (also known as brachycephaly) is characterized by a shortening of the upper jaw, jaw and nasal bones as well as a round head. This breeding trait has a serious impact on the health and well-being of the dog. The compression leads to respiratory distress and a highly malpositioned jaw. Chronic pharyngitis can be the result. As dogs regulate their body temperature by panting, respiratory distress can even affect heat regulation, which can cause problems, especially at high temperatures. The large skull can also lead to complications during birth.

In the face, there is increased wrinkling, which can lead to skin inflammation, excessive lacrimation and blocked nasolacrimal canals. Eye problems, corneal injuries or spinal problems can also be associated with brachycephaly.

Short and round-headedness is particularly well known in breeds such as pugs, French and English bulldogs, boxers, Chihuahuas, Pekinse and Cavalier King Charles.

Surely you are familiar with hip dysplasia in German Shepherds? The strongly sloping back line leads to changes in the musculoskeletal system and can cause severe problems, especially in old age. In addition to elbow joint dysplasia, hip joint dysplasia also occurs in Labrador Retrievers.

Some Corgi breeds also have an increased risk of hip dysplasia due to a malposition of the hip joint socket. Due to the long body and short legs, other back problems such as degenerative myelopathy, i.e. damage to the spinal cord, often occur.

Anomalies in the musculoskeletal system also occur in the Besset: The shortened forelimbs and hind limbs as well as the elongated body of the Basset cause spinal problems .

The merle pattern, known primarily from the Australian Shepherd, is a popular coat pattern. This pattern is based on a genetic mutation and this can lead to deafness and blindness in the dog itself or its offspring.

The pronounced skin folds in the Shar-Pei or French Bulldog can cause chronic weeping skin inflammation . However, blistering of the skin due to a breed-related disease, idiopathic mucinosis, is also not uncommon in the Shar Pei.Massive Changes in the appearance of the skin are also evident in naked dogs. The lack of coat is related to a genetic factor that can lead to bite abnormalities . In addition, thermoregulation is disturbed and the skin is sensitive to injuries. What is particularly alarming is that the genetic factor causes death in 50% of animals within the first year of life.

The MDR1 defect is primarily known in Collies, Shelties, Border Collies, Australian Sheperds and German Shepherds and is a genetic defect that leads to hypersensitivity to certain medications. The symptoms can be very serious and can even lead to death.

Over 50% of all Dobermans suffer from incurable dilated cardiomyopathy. This is a genetic disease of the heart muscle that is the most common cause of death in Dobermans.

After all this information, you're probably wondering: how can it be that torture breeding is still allowed despite all this? In fact, breeding dogs with such characteristics is against the Animal Welfare Act. in 2013, the so-called "torture breeding paragraph" §11b was included in the Animal Welfare Act. in 2024, symptoms such as blindness, deafness and respiratory distress were added to the list of rules on torture breeding. In addition, animals showing signs of torture breeding should no longer be offered for sale on online platforms. Nevertheless, breeding still takes place as the traits are part of defined breed standards and are deliberately demanded by dog owners. There is also a lack of controls.

Since we want to clearly distance ourselves from bad breeding , we can only appeal to you to give a stray dog a home. There are many animals waiting for a family on foreign streets or in animal shelters. These do not usually correspond to a clear breed image, but they are diverse, unique, just as lovable and infinitely grateful. Therefore, no animals need to be bred. And even more so, we should refrain from breeding torture. Because if you love dogs, you want your dog to lead a healthy life without being burdened with unnecessary traits beforehand. Willi, Alba, Rudi, Chaiyo and co. from the VEGDOGpack are the best examples of how great dogs from animal welfare are.

You can find out more about this topic in our blog post FAMILIENZUWACHS! ADOPT OR BUY?