An interesting/disturbing video on pedigree dog breeding: http://www.youtube....atch?v=GhXHFOrBbEc (www.youtube.com)

Warning: I was almost physically sick watching this. They lead with segments of a few breeds of dogs that are subject to high probability of seizures, or suffer from genetic abnormalities where their skulls are too small for their brains. It is heartbreaking.

The video basically says that pedigree dog breeding, specifically breeding done by those for dog shows, etc., is becoming exceedingly dangerous and unhealthy due to irresponsible inbreeding practices (cases like mother to son, grandfather to granddaughter). Additionally, traits that are normally considered abnormalities are intentionally bred into certain dog breeds to meet public perception of what a dog breed "should be," and healthy dogs (that don't exhibit ridged backs, or specific coloring) are neutered or culled.

The video also shows how certain breed's skulls have been warped over 100 years of breeding, as well as what certain breeds used to look like as opposed to what they look like now. Both examples are very disturbing. I wish they'd provided more detail, but they cite that for "certain" breeds, only 10% of their distinct genetics exists today from what they were only 40 years ago.

I don't have pets, and likely won't in the near future. But watching this, I feel that the choice to have breed X of a certain animal is increasingly an unethical choice.