It often boggles my mind why anyone who is involved in the bulldog world would not support breed rescue. As active rescuers ourselves, Tom and I recognize the importance of giving all members of the breed a chance, not just the fortunate few that are successful in the show ring.
The bulldog is the most genetically manipulated member of the canine species in recorded history. The breed that we know and love today is a result of generations of meticulous and selective breeding. To participate in this tedious process is to carefully and responsibly identify and reproduce in subsequent generations the traits we desire, while at the same time breeding any residual negative characteristics out.
The over-abundance in this country of poorly-bred bulldogs is a direct result of both puppy mills and irresponsible private and backyard breeders who seek to only "make a buck" on a breed that demands top dollar in the marketplace. In doing so, out of ignorance or utter disregard for ethical breeding practices, these breeders and mills put out litter after litter of dogs that demonstrate all of the physical ailments that responsible breeders have worked so hard to minimize in our breed, as well as producing many dogs whose temperaments are reminiscent of the highly aggressive Bulldogs of yore.
If you are a true lover of the Bulldog breed, it goes without saying that even these unfortunate and poorly bred dogs deserve our affection and respect, and it should be below none of us to extend ourselves and our resources to save these creatures whenever and however we can. Responsible ownership and supporting breed rescue are synonymous attribute of the very definition of what a Bulldog Enthusiast is, and yet I cannot tell you how any times I have been witness to responsible and obviously well-versed owners, exhibitors and breeders who insist they love and respect the breed and yet overlook or deny the blatant need for support and advocacy of breed rescue.
I therefore set out a challenge to all you Bulldog lovers out there who own your own dogs, participate in all the local and national clubs, exhibit at the shows and put out the occasional responsible litter: ask yourself if you are capable of meeting the undeniable responsibility that you have as an advocate and ambassador of the Bulldog breed by supporting your breed rescue in any way that you can?
Disgraceful as it is, there will always be people out there who will consciously choose to never to meet this challenge. But, if we all had the luxury of looking at the dogs that we own, show and breed and know that we have done our best not only for them, but for the breed as a whole, there would be a whole lot of better-off bulldogs out there, and what a wonderful world that would be!
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