Modern Dogs for a Modern Society

New Thinking About Dog Breeding: From Historical Traits to Modern Needs

For centuries, humans have bred dogs to perform specific tasks—hunting, herding, guarding, and other duties essential for survival and livelihood. These traits were carefully selected and passed down through generations, shaping the physical and behavioural characteristics of the breeds we know today. However, as society evolves, so too must our approach to dog breeding.

Modern life presents a vastly different environment for dogs compared to their historical roles. With fewer people relying on dogs for hunting or herding and an increasing emphasis on dogs as pets, service animals, and partners in therapeutic and medical interventions, it is time to rethink our breeding priorities. Rather than perpetuating traits rooted in the past, we should focus on breeding dogs that are physically healthy and have temperaments suited to modern roles.

The Problem with Breeding for Historical Traits

Breeding for traits such as hunting instincts, herding behaviours, or guarding tendencies often results in dogs with high energy levels, intense focus, and specific needs that many modern homes cannot meet. These dogs may develop behavioural issues when their needs are unmet, causing frustration for both the dog and the owner. For instance:

• Herding breeds often exhibit nipping and chasing behaviours, which can be challenging in households with young children or other pets. They also require much more mental stimulation than the average family can provide.
• Guarding breeds may display territorial aggression, leading to difficulties in densely populated areas or multi-family housing. These dogs are often unfairly punished for their genetic predispositions with anti-bark collars or scolding.
• Hunting breeds need extensive physical stimulation, which can be difficult to provide in urban or suburban areas. Additionally, they may instinctively hunt various animals year-round, creating conflicts with other pets, wildlife, and livestock.

Many breeds also suffer from health problems due to the emphasis on preserving exaggerated physical traits, such as the brachycephalic faces of bulldogs, the small heads of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, or the sloping backs of German Shepherds.

Why We Should Breed for Functional, Modern Dogs

In today’s world, dogs are more often companions, therapy animals, or working partners in fields such as cancer detection, search and rescue, and emotional support. To succeed in these roles, dogs need:

• Physical health: Prioritising genetic diversity and avoiding traits that lead to chronic health issues should be a cornerstone of breeding practices.
• Functionality: Appearance and coat types should be bred with practicality in mind, reducing the need for extensive grooming and unnecessary handling.
• Balanced temperament: Dogs should be adaptable, calm, and capable of handling the unpredictability of modern life, including exposure to crowds, loud noises, and varied environments.
• Trainability and sociability: Traits like focus, willingness to learn, and the ability to interact positively with humans and other animals are essential for modern working and companion dogs.

Traits for the Future

Modern dog breeding should emphasise:

1. Health and Longevity: Breeding programmes should aim to reduce genetic disorders and promote overall physical well-being.
2. Emotional Resilience: Dogs with stable temperaments are better equipped to handle stress and adapt to new situations, making them ideal as social working dogs or companions.
3. Specific Functional Skills: Instead of herding or hunting, focus on traits like scent detection for medical purposes, or empathy and patience for therapeutic roles.
4. Adaptability: Breeding dogs that thrive in urban and suburban environments ensures they integrate seamlessly into modern households.

Ethics in Breeding Practices

Breeders must take responsibility for ethical breeding practices that prioritise the health and welfare of dogs. Harmful practices that compromise dogs’ physical and mental health must be eliminated, including:

• Breeding dogs with abnormal eating behaviours: Labrador Retrievers with defective enzymes that leave them perpetually hungry may develop dangerous eating habits, obesity, and related health issues, as well as lifelong frustration around food.
• Breeding anxious mothers: Nervous bitches often pass on inherited fear, creating a cycle of insecure and stressed dogs. Breeders should prioritise confident, balanced dogs for breeding.
• Unnecessary stress during pregnancy: Moving pregnant bitches can cause undue stress, which may negatively impact the development of their puppies. Pregnant dogs should be kept in familiar, stress-free environments.
• Forced mating: Forcing a bitch to mate by holding her down for a male is unacceptable and harmful, violating basic ethical principles.
• Artificial insemination without consent: Artificial insemination that prevents the bitch from rejecting an unsuitable mate disregards her natural instincts and well-being.
• Early separation from the mother: Not all puppies are ready to leave their mother and siblings at eight weeks old. This varies by breed and individual, and breeders should allow puppies the time they need for social and emotional development.
• Transportation of puppies: Long journeys by car or, worse, flying alone, can traumatised young puppies. These experiences may have lasting negative effects. Breeders and owners should avoid unnecessary travel and prioritise the puppies’ welfare during transportation.

By focusing on dogs’ health, welfare, and natural needs, breeders can help ensure a brighter future for both dogs and their owners. Ethical breeding is about more than genetics—it is about respecting dogs as living, sentient beings.

Changing the Narrative

Achieving this shift requires collaboration among breeders, veterinarians, insurance companies, behaviour specialists, and dog trainers. Education is key: prospective dog owners must understand the importance of prioritising health and temperament over traditional traits. Regulatory bodies, including national kennel clubs, must also play a role in setting standards that promote ethical and health-focused breeding practices.

A Better Future for Dogs and Humans

By focusing on modern traits and the needs of today’s society, we can ensure that future generations of dogs are healthier, happier, and better suited to the lives they will lead. It is time to let go of outdated notions and embrace a future where dogs are bred not for what they were, but for what they can become—partners, helpers, and beloved best friends in an ever-changing world.