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Dogs with flat faces.... WHY? (Original Post) Goodheart Feb 2019 OP
They have loads of health problems from this Freddie Feb 2019 #1
I have a rescue Persian with a flat-ish face, and I happen to think she's adorable! Of course, bullwinkle428 Feb 2019 #4
All cats are beautiful Freddie Feb 2019 #6
Domestication Syndrome LakeSuperiorView Feb 2019 #2
I'll stick with my JustAnotherGen Feb 2019 #3
I have a Maltipoo. Beautiful and smart. Goodheart Feb 2019 #5

Freddie

(9,231 posts)
1. They have loads of health problems from this
Sun Feb 10, 2019, 12:23 PM
Feb 2019

As they are being bred to exaggerate the feature. Same with flat-faced Persian cats. Ugly too IMO.
They are now breeding “doll-faced” Persians to bring back a more traditional (normal) look and I’ve read they are doing the same with Pugs and other dogs with this look.

bullwinkle428

(20,626 posts)
4. I have a rescue Persian with a flat-ish face, and I happen to think she's adorable! Of course,
Sun Feb 10, 2019, 12:39 PM
Feb 2019

I'm not happy with the idea that they're being bred specifically for this characteristic, and that efforts are being made in the breeding community to alter this development.

She was rescued from a hoarding situation where she was most likely leading an absolutely miserable life, and has utterly blossomed in just the 3 weeks that I've had her in my home. I realize the likelihood of her experiencing respiratory issues in the future is higher than that of a "typical" domestic short-hair, but I'm willing to do everything I can to help her deal with those issues.

Freddie

(9,231 posts)
6. All cats are beautiful
Sun Feb 10, 2019, 01:24 PM
Feb 2019

Glad you can give her a good life! My boys (shorthair brothers, a tuxedo and a solid gray) are rescued too.
It’s an unfortunate tendency in the purebred pet world to breed to exaggerate features. Siamese cats used to be beautiful but now they look like skinny rats with points. And with dogs they breed only for looks and ignore the temperament issues. That doesn’t seem to be a problem with cats.

 

LakeSuperiorView

(1,533 posts)
2. Domestication Syndrome
Sun Feb 10, 2019, 12:34 PM
Feb 2019

Look at what happens when Foxes are domesticated. Within generations, when they bred for "friendlyness"/acceptance of humans, their faces got flatter/more juvenile, the ears more floppy. There are a group of traits that are connected with domestication.


https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/07/140714100122.htm

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