Bulldogs to Dalmatians: Should these 5 ‘cruelest’ dogs to breed be banned?
It’s the ASPCA commercial that is hard to watch, and, at one time, avoid: Sarah McLachlan’s “Angel” begins and heartrending images of dogs flicker onscreen.
In Norway, the campaign against animal cruelty has taken a different turn with the banning of breeding two types of dogs — Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and bulldogs — due to their numerous health issues.
Breeding the dogs, one of the country’s district courts ruled, was a violation of the Norwegian Animal Welfare Act section 25, and provides a “legal framework” for how cross-breeding could possibly be done.
But Cavalier King Charles spaniels and bulldogs aren’t the only pure-bred puppies with an increased likelihood of inherited diseases.
On the heels of that landmark Monday ruling, below is a look at five types of dogs considered “cruel” to breed for the health issues they face.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
A dog fit for royalty, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s roots stretch back to 17th Century England, and King Charles I and his son Charles II were devoted to the spaniel, according to the American Kennel Club, known as the AKC.
With a life expectancy of around 12 to 15 years, the AKC’s website noted that “there are several health issues that Cavaliers are prone to,” including eye issues such as cataracts and “a neurological condition called syringomyelia.”
The spaniel is “one of the poster dogs of heart disease,” Jaime Freyer, a veterinarian and the manager of data at the pet DNA testing company Wisdom Health, told The Post.
Bulldogs
A mascot for many sports team and, to some, an icon of British culture, the bulldog has a life expectancy of about eight to 10 years, according to the AKC. “Bulldog owners should be vigilant to ensure their dog does not become overheated,” the club’s website warned. “If a Bulldog is overexcited or breathing too hard, his tongue will hang out unusually far and have a bluish cast instead of the normal pink.”
Freyer explained that the dog has tiny nostrils that make it difficult to breathe. “They can’t cool themselves down,” she said.
Golden Retriever
The beloved breed — one of the most popular in America — is often featured in TV shows and on social media. With a life expectancy of around 10 to 12 years, the Golden Retriever has a higher chance of developing cancers, such as lymphoma, than other breeds, Boston 25 News reported. A Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine study “looked at the cause of death in more than 72,000 dogs in North America by breed” and “found Golden Retrievers ranked second.”
Dalmatians
Long a part of pop culture with the movie, “101 Dalmatians,” the white-and-black-spotted dog has the ability to win hearts. The AKC has the breed’s life expectancy from 11 to 13 years. Deafness is prevalent in the breed, Freyer said. Owners should watch out for kidney stones as well, according to the AKC.
German shepherds
The very popular dog is even in the White House: the Bidens announced their new puppy named Commander. The German shepherd has a life expectancy of around seven to 10 years and is prone to a condition called hip dysplasia, which can cause pain and difficulty moving.
“If the hip socket is too shallow, there is an abnormal motion in the hip,” Freyer said, adding that this can lead to arthritis.