Selective breeding has produced dogs with severe conformation-related health problems causing lifelong suffering in millions of individuals.
Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome causes chronic breathing difficulty equivalent to breathing through a straw at rest. Syringomyelia causes severe chronic pain. Intervertebral disc disease causes paralysis and intense neuropathic pain. These conditions affect millions of dogs globally. Many affected dogs live their entire lives with chronic pain that owners may not recognize as such.