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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
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Cute Dog Craze Yields Dumber, Weaker Breeds

Shift from function to fashion impairs dog brains: study

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(Newser) – Humans' quest for beautiful, quirky "leash candy" is making man's best friend dumber, weaker, and more introverted, reports the Times of London. Bred less and less to be hunters, guard dogs, and herders, current breeds can do little more than look pretty, a Swedish study of dog behavior has found.

“Modern breeding practices are affecting the behavior and mental abilities of pedigree breeds, as well as their physical features,” said study's author. Magnifying the neglect of dog's mental qualities is a preference for purebreds that has increased inbreeding and, consequently, the prevalence of genetic disorders. Smooth collies and Rhodesian ridgebacks fared worst among the 13,000 dogs in the study.

The smooth collie fared worst among the 13,000 dogs in the study for sociability. A border collie is pictured here.
The smooth collie fared worst among the 13,000 dogs in the study for sociability. A border collie is pictured here.   (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
The cuter dog breeders seem to make dogs, the less mentally and physically agile they become, a study has found.
The cuter dog breeders seem to make dogs, the less mentally and physically agile they become, a study has found.   (AP Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe)
A Hungarian Puli sheep dog, Fee, jumps over a hurdle during a preview for a pedigree dog show.
A Hungarian Puli sheep dog, Fee, jumps over a hurdle during a preview for a pedigree dog show.   (AP Photo/Frank Augstein/FILE)
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Mad
Jan 19, 09 6:02 PM CST
My longhaired standard dachshund "Frau Fran" is beautiful, quirky, and the most intelligent of beastys Reply
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radnip
Jan 21, 09 4:50 AM CST
Sounds in line with what's happening to the human mob. Reply
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riffran
Jan 24, 09 11:20 PM CST
that would explain Amy Winehouse, and Barry Manilow, and richard simmons....bwaaaaahahaha Reply
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