Breeding corgis is irresponsible and deadly. Here’s why you should never buy a corgi or any other breed that is predisposed to suffer:
1. Corgis Are Bred to Have Hip and Joint Pain
Breeders try to accentuate a breed’s most popular physical traits, without regard for the health consequences. Humans breed corgis to have a genetic mutation called achondroplasia, a form of dwarfism that can lead to hip dysplasia and joint pain. They are deliberately bred to have legs that are too short for their bodies. Dachshunds and some breeds of terriers can also have this mutation.
2. Corgis Are Likely to Develop Degenerative Myelopathy Leading to Paralysis
This nerve and spine condition restricts their mobility. It affects the spinal cord, eventually progressing to paralysis in their hind legs. This is why some corgis require a wheelchair or other mobility assistance. There is no cure for degenerative myelopathy. Corgis with this condition only live for six months to three years.
3. Corgis Are Prone to Cataracts and Vision Loss
Some Corgis are prone to hereditary conditions affecting their vision, which can worsen as they age. They may develop cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy that can lead to blindness.
4. They Can Get Von Willebrand Disease (a Bleeding Disorder)
Von Willebrand disease can cause excessive bleeding after an injury and may lead to dangerous blood loss and anaemia.
5. They Are Prone to Epilepsy and Bladder Stones
The list of health problems typical for corgis goes on, and it includes epilepsy, intervertebral disc disease, and bladder stones. If you already have a corgi, it’s a good idea to have a veterinarian check them for these conditions.
6. They Are Not Breeding Machines
Purchasing corgis from breeders, pet shops, or online sites supports breeders who churn out litter after litter for profit. There’s no such thing as a responsible breeder or buyer. Breeders force corgis to mate or artificially inseminate them, when spaying or neutering is the only responsible thing to do.
People who breed animals put mother dogs’ lives on the line during pregnancies and births in order to make a profit. When female dogs have been used to exhaustion, they are often given to shelters, auctioned off, or killed.
7. Dogs From Shelters Make Perfect Companions
While dog breeders churn out puppies to turn a profit, hundreds of thousands of animals in the UK – and millions more around the world – are waiting in shelters for a loving family. Buying a dog from a breeder or pet shop means that one in a shelter loses a chance at finding a permanent home.
If you are looking to expand your family – and have the time, love, and resources to offer a dog a home for life – visit your local shelter and give one of the many dogs of all breeds, shapes, and sizes longing for a permanent home the royal treatment.
It’s Time to Stop Grotesque Breeding of Unhealthy Animals
Crufts is a celebration of everything that is wrong with breeding dogs. Don’t support this parade of unhealthy breeds, and encourage your friends and family to stay away, too. The BBC dropped the unethical show following revelations about ill, inbred animals. It’s time for Channel 4 and More4 to do the same.