What breed is in the worst shape as far as animals not meeting the breed standard?

Question

There are a tons of poorly bred dogs out there, but which breed or breeds do you think have suffered the worst fate of having the highest ratio of poorly bred dogs versus dogs that meet the breed standard?

And on the flip-side, which breeds do you think have the highest percent of quality animals?

Answer 1

I see the shittiest labs and beagles daily. Pyrs are declining at a rapid rate.

As far as overbred and an abundance of them in rescues toy poodles seem to stay consistant. Once you get them groomed and cleaned up from someone not taking care of them. I think the difference here is the people that owned them often die or in nursing homes leave them to family that doesn't know what to do till its too late.

Mastiffs are holding up well even though they are very abundant. We can't keep enough room open for mastiffs. They are coming into shelters at an alarming rate over the past few months. Most without issue.

And of course everything has shepherd in it but most of the purebreds there are genetic issues we have to contend with.

Answer 2

I have to agree with the above posters the more common breeds have had it pretty bad. Labs and German Shepards would have to be in the top of the most poorly over bred dogs. When every Disney produces a big movie then theres an increase in a certain breed (Dalmatians, cocker spaniels , st.bernards etc)
From volunteering at a cocker spaniel rescue in the past , I have seen how the temperament of this breed has suffered. The AKC standard calls for equable in temperament with no suggestion of timidity. Above all, he must be free and merry, sound, well balanced throughout and in action show a keen inclination to work. A dog well balanced in all parts is more desirable than a dog with strongly contrasting good points and faults.
I have met some very timid cockers who bite out of fear, I have met cockers that their bone structure is way too big for the breed (50lb cockers ,who aren't overweight) Ive met one too many cockers that due to bad breeding and training just couldn't be re homed, cocker spaniels that are afraid of their own shadow.
I agree with other posters, the less common the breed the less they've been affected by bad breeding. (Not sure if these are all recognized by AKC) Such as Coton de Tulear, Drever and Briquet Griffon Vendeen

Answer 3

My personal opinion is Toy Poodles. Since I was a groomer for years, I have seen some of the worst specimens of the breed come through the shop.

When I purchased my first Golden Retriever, I was stopped on the street and asked by strangers, what breed she was. That was long ago, before the breed was known or became popular. Whenever a breed is relatively unknown and the market for that animal is small, you will find a dog closer to breed standard.

Answer 4

This is really a great question! My answer would be some of the breeds that are popular, widely available, and can be had (NOT the good ones!) fairly cheap.

Labs, Goldens, and GSDs come to mind. All are popular breeds here, and I've seen some very poor examples. I also see a lot of newspaper ads and bulletin-board postings offering them for $100. " Purebred! AKC registered! Perfect for Christmas!" So I guess we know where THOSE came from!

I'm sure it's happening with a lot of the small breeds as well, especially in this area (Amish Country ... puppymill capital of the world, I think), although I don't pay as much attention to the small dogs I see.

The highest quality? I couldn't say a particular breed, but I'd guess it would be those that are either rare and/or very expensive. Probably not a lot of backyard breeding going on among the Komondor crowd!

Answer 5

Well, as far as I know the dog that is prone to the most diseases is the Golden Retriever. People love the dog and it's personality so much that they have been inbreeding it for generations. Which of course causes problems, like their weakened immune systems. And that sucks because I myself really love Goldens, I have yet to meet an aggressive one.
The highest quality breed, in my opinion anyway is the pit bull. Simply because they are intelligent, strong, muscular dogs. The only problem of course is the fact that they were bred for fighting, but if trained right they are incredible dogs.

EDIT: After reading other answers, I realize some of what I wrote may now sound stupid. I will say again, I was just saying my opinion, I realize I don't know as much about AKC standard breeding and all that jazz. >.<

p.s.
I agree with rachel that what they do to pit bulls is ridiculous. A bunch of gangsta wannabes with their pit bulls dressed up in spikes. How stupid.
But I stick by what I said about them being a great breed, I know a few people who own them, and even being bred that way they are still intelligent and really great dogs.

Answer 6

Worst: American Pit Bull Terrier. They are soo far off the UKC standard that it is pathetic. It is to the point that the UKC (and even ADBA - a standard that they are even further from) needs to take a step back and do something. For starters the ADBA could stop accepting ads from those kennels that they know aren't breeding to standard. (Hello, they always include pics and it is obvious the dog isn't correct.)

Another Worst goes to GSDs: I can remember when they were built for real work, the slope wasn't exaggerated to the point it looks stupid, and the dogs weren't mentally unstable. Today's dogs look nothing like the ones I showed as a child in the 70's.

The best: BCs and most breeds still considered "rare". Anything rated 100-155 on the AKC list, though when you have something where 5 litter or less were registered in one year, it has a greater impact if the majority of a litter doesn't work out.

Answer 7

whoo what a hard question! Many of the popular "puppy mill" breeds have a LOT of dogs that are barely reconisable as being that breed... On the flip side many of the rarer breeds have a LOT of quality dogs because there are fewer pet homes so breeding less than a top winning show dog is not a good idea.
My breed, whippets, are certainly strong for quality animals #60 for registration yet #6 (in my area) for number of dogs needed for a major (which is based on show entry) and actually having more show champians last year than the Labrador (#1 reg)! That doesn't account for the preformance coursing & racing breed whippets who seldom set foot in the show ring.
Which brings to the next question- is breed standard the only measure of "quality" I wouldn't call the top runners lacking in quality even though most of them went running instead of showing every weekend, and never set foot in the show ring- or would place well if they did....(the line in the breed standard "a whippet should present an athletic apperance" is interprated by many judges as "there should be no evidence of muscles")

Answer 8

The American Pit Bull Terrier. I know that they aren't really AKC recognized, but as for following the UKC standard, they are WAY off. People are irresponsibly breeding these 110 lbs, huge block head, 'monster' pits, and they are not even close to the breed standard.

A few things that have gone horribly wrong in the breed standard...

1. "The body is just slightly longer than tall"

-Just slightly longer than it is tall?
But most of these poorly bred pits are only about a foot in height!

2."This breed combines strength and athleticism with grace and agility and should never appear bulky or muscle-bound or fine-boned and rangy. "

-They are supposed to look graceful and athletic, while idiots today are breeding them to look bulky and overly muscled, which is clearly against the breed standard.

3. "The APBT is not the best choice for a guard dog since they are extremely friendly, even with strangers"

-Irresponsible breeders have started to ruin this trait too. By not socializing any of their dogs, they're just breeding unstable pit bulls, and the puppies are immediately born into an unstable situation.

4. "Any color, color pattern, or combination of colors is acceptable, except for merle."

-And yet, people out there are breeding their pit bulls for this "rare" color.

5. "Desirable weight for a mature male in good condition is between 35 and 60 pounds. Desirable weight for a mature female in good condition is between 30 and 50 pounds"

-The irresponsible breeders seem to think "the bigger, the better!" and are breeding horribly proportioned giant pit bulls. Pit bulls are not supposed to weigh more than 60 lbs at the most. These 80,90,100 lb pits are way off breed standard.


I could go on and on about how these irresponsible people have ruined this beautiful breed. It has become so popular (for both good reasons and bad) that people are breeding them like crazy, and not for the right reasons. They are breeding for color crazes (blues, merles) and not worrying about temperament. They are breeding for huge muscles and giant blocky heads...and once again, ignoring temperament and health issues. Pit bulls definitely have a very high ratio of not meeting the standard.

As for which dogs still meet the breed standard best, I would have to say that any less common dog breed would. The common breeds that you see every day (Goldens, Labs, Chihuahuas) are being bred by BYB's all over the place. These BYB's put no effort into conforming them to breed standard, because they are just in it for the money.

Answer 9

This is almost impossible to answer. I read the responses of others, and think "Yeah", then I think aoubt another breed, and wonder, "Why hasn't anyone mentioned them?" Then someone does before I get to respond. LOL I'd have to say shih tzus are among the most mangled breeds, but that may be because I see so many of them. I have seen many really messed up yorkies too. At least two I know of have mangled looking lower jaws, to the point that their tongues stick out the sides of their heads. Then there are all the ugly Chinese cresteds I see online. The only cresties I know personally are well bred and quite pretty, thank goodness. And hands down I agree the GSD has been destroyed as a working breed in the US. The bests? Perhaps the Portugese water dog, the Italian spinone, a few of the less popular breeds. But if their fanciers ever let down their guard as far as placing puppies, they will suffer too.

ADDED: It just occured to me that my own breed is suffering pretty badly. I was reluctant to mention it since in rescue, we see the worst of the worst. I mean, compare these two shelties:

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff25/songbrook/riley023Quicke-mailview.jpg
http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff25/songbrook/skytable.jpg

The first is a rescue sheltie from a hoarder's raid. The second is my own foundation *****.

Answer 10

This is an excellent question, I gave you a star :-0

Greekman beat me to my answer (well, part of it). The GSD IMO, has been destroyed. Both temperamentally, physically, and working ability! I've seen dogs literally turn and run from livestock....and not just a few! Sad....and those hocks! It's painful for me to watch.

Thankfully, my breed (Rottweilers) , has rebounded from where it was 15 yrs ago when I started. Thankfully, due to the dedicated breeders and our breed club, the popularity has dwindled. I've seen an overall improvement in toplines and croups and (thank God), not as many "oversized" specimens. Oh, we still have some breeders that believe "bigger is better", but overall, a more moderately sized specimen is the norm vs. a decade ago. Temperaments have definately improved.

As to the flip-side of your question: IMO, the Border Terrier breed has very nice specimens....with very minimal health issues, from what I have read. I'm sure there are other breeds, but I've been trying to watch this one closely as I may pick it up as a new breed to handle next year.

Added:
JennT: What a beautiful b tch you have!