why do people keep breeding dogs breeds that are prone to medical problems?

It's done because the breeders are rewarded. Just like a dog working for a food, praise, play, click reward. The more they are rewarded the more that they produce.

The reward can be in the form of a show ribbon or championship title. For this example look at the bulldog and other extreme looking breeds. Others look at field trial and working dog competitions because again the extreme is rewarded.

The "rare" factor. The public in general will pay more money for a white boxer; a piebald soft coated schnauzer; a tiny yorkshire terrier; an over sized rottweiler; etc.

Then there's the movie star celebrity factor. People will buy a type of dog because a star owns the same type of dog. So of course the breeders will produce more of these dogs to be rewarded by the general public. Te same can be said for movies that star dogs like Lady and the Tramp and 101 Dalmatians.

Not only is the breeder rewarded the public is also. The breeder gets the money and the prestige. The public gets the dog that they are looking for. For better or for worse.

Because people don't do the research and purchase from REPUTABLE BREEDS (and yes that includes show kennels). Why is that? Well if you come to my house to see my dogs and I interview you and assess your situation and interaction with my dogs - I may tell you that this breed isn't for you. I may tell you that until your kids are older - this breed is for you (what I really mean is that your kids are out of control and you want a dog - you are nuts). Or you wake up one morning and decide "I want a dog today". so if you happen to find a reputable breeder we will tell you we only do planned breedings and the next time we will breed will be ...... and the buyer says - but I want one Sunday. All those things that people HAVE to have what they want and now - mean they get what they can find - and what they can find is likely NOT going to be from someone who did all the health testing and screenings to planfully place their puppies in the correct situation. So how is it the Reputable breeders problem when people are stupid and want instant gratification.

German Shepherd Dogs are prone to Hip and Elbow Dysplasia. But people still breed them and produce dogs WITHOUT those defects. Just because there are a few health problems doesn't mean the breed needs to be shut down. It means it needs improving... which means (physical health wise) genetic health screens to reduce the risks and a better idea what risk you may or may not be taking by breeding the Sire and Dam.

In your description, you must be referring to American show line German Shepherd Dogs!

Mr W- responsible breeders try desperately to breed-OUT health issues!

But some dogs just have problems

Breeds have their issues bred in for so many years its almost impossible to get them out of that breed! An example would be hip issues in large breeds such as German Shepards, Great Danes! Good breeders would Never even think of breeding a dog with any level if hip dysphasia but then I said Good breeders! Some breeds like Doxies because of short legs and extremely long back-will always have back issues! But to knowingly breed a dog with ANY hereditary issue is irresponcible!

I VERY selectively breed Chihuahuas but never till I have their heart checked as well as their knees! If any pup is born with an diagnosised issue I will not repeat breeding those two dogs! Will have both checked again then determined if they can be bred to different dogs! Hope this answers your question and you are not a person that thinks no dogs should be bred! God bless Reggie

All dog breeds are prone to medical problems,,,. People SHOULD be doing genetic health tests before they breed to try to limit it from showing up though.

Or are you talking about the bulldog with it's necessary C sections or GSD and the back slant? That's just bad breeding but calling it "breed standards".

Greed. Puppy mills breed dogs as often as they possibly can for the money. They do not care about the dogs health in any way.

All dog breeds have some sort of issues with them.

Proper breeding by reputable breeders greatly decreases this issue; it's "backyard breeders" (i.e. people who don't really know what they're doing) and dogs from puppy mills (which are often sold in pet stores) that are improperly bred.

As for me, I'm perfectly happy adopting a mutt from the shelter. Mixed breeds are often very healthy because they draw from a larger gene pool. Plus, you save a life!

People breeding show dogs for example? I don't know. They breed the dogs to be unstable, and when they change the working dog to a show dog, the dog will have no working drive at all but be crippled and dumb. Look at the show German shepherd for example, and the working German shepherd.

German shepherd= Suppose to be strong, lean, strong working ability and powerful

Show German shepherd= Weak, no working ability, timid, anxious.

People are just messed up in the head, that's what. They only care of appearances... Although most of the the show dogs are ugly as they come, working dogs are always the most gorgeous.

Either for the specific purpose they were bred for or to have a purebred status symbol as decoration. People themselves breed when they have known genetic defects and I'll never understand that either.

money

many pure bred dogs have massive health issues and they are still bred. Most GSD have backs that are so slopped they can't walk right and have major back and joint issues. Black labs are oversize, can't do their job any more and look very blocky. Herding dogs dont herd. Dogs like pugs are bred for larger heads and eyes that pop out easily

And its not just dogs. There are so called pure bred pigeons in shows who have no beaks. None. At all and they are bred like that. Or ones who have feathers that block their vision so they can't see

Its all greed