this post was submitted on 07 Dec 2023
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If we are making evolutionary arguments, I find dogs that have been bred in such a way that they commonly die from cancer or heart disease in 10 years to be exotic. But they certainly are successful in passing on their genes, so it is an increase in fitness. But at what cost?
I also do not think that something evolving to be a certain way makes it a moral choice.
Oh yeah no doubt on that. I dislike the whole concept of "pure breeds" bad. My point still stands regardless
Sure, but I still think "well it evolved this way" doesn't make something moral. A simple counterargument is that approach shouldn't allow vaccines or clean water because we we didn't evolve in the context of those things. I know this isn't the argument you are trying to make, but I think the context in which we evolved to have a relationship with dogs is not beyond scrutiny in contemporary times. I think we have an extensive history with our pets, but the benefits of that relationship are no longer present, (except for the pets which do find success is passing on their genes, though that is mostly controlled). There may be a case that owning pets allows people to be more successful in reproducing but I do not think it is a requirement.
Most people I know pick the dog they want to own based on how it looks. So it is an aesthetic decision that determines the life of the animal. I think this is where a lot of my issue with pet ownership derives. In a very trite way, the relationship is "this dog looks very cute, I want to own it". Then this relationship is extended in a way to try to make it akin to a friendship. It is a different kind of relationship and ought to be treated as such. If someone tried to be friends with someone that they owned, I would find it disturbing.
I know I'm in an extreme minority here but I think that's what the post was looking for!