What do these seven breeds have in common?
- Chihuahua
- American Staffordshire Terrier (aka the Pit Bull)
- Dalmatian
- Dachshund
- Rottweiler
- Golden Retriever
- Labrador Retriever
The first two breeds and their crosses account for about half of all dogs killed in American shelters today.
The last two breeds -- the Golden Retriever, and the Labrador Retriever -- account for over one-quarter of all dogs registered by the American Kennel Club.
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I wonder if what they also have in common is breed standards that are worded in such a way they extremes are not encouraged ? So they converge on the standard instead of deviating from it. Consequently, the best of breed that goes through to best in show lacks the extreme features that allow a judge to pick them out of a crowd. The answer will need a lot more familiarity with breed standards than I have.
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