i definitely agree about the effect of breeding for the show ring, and for reasons of 'fashion,' in many breeds, particularly brachycephalic dogs such as pugs and french bulldogs. Ignorant people think they're cute, buy one because some celebrity has one, and then find out they're landed with a dog that needs expensive surgery and lifelong care because the poor thing can't breathe. Also there's the hips problem in bigger dogs, especially in German Shepherds - a few years ago a GS won Best in Show at Crufts, despite (or because of) having low-sloping hips which would cause arthritic breakdown in him and his expensive progeny. Other breeds, such as Cavaliers, have inherent and painful problems because they're often bred with flat faces and skulls which are too small to contain their brains, resulting in Syringomyelia, a fatal brain inflammation condition.
The reason we are lucky enough to have Norfolk Terriers is because, along with their close cousins Norwich terriers, they are bred by a small group of enthusiasts for this healthy, long-lived breed, which has no inherent genetic illness in its makeup and has a breed standard which emphasises kind temperament, hardiness, independence and an active and healthy confirmation. They are bred in small numbers, partly because litter sizes are usually only 2-4 in this little dog, but also because the breeders are not in it for profit but for personal enjoyment. It's actually quite hard to get your first Norfolk as demand always outstrips supply and all the registered breeders are very particular about where puppies end up. Each time we we got three, over the past 22 years, the agreement was that if our circumstances changed at any point in the dog's life, he or she would be returned to the breeder, not given to a rescue, and that we wouldn't breed from the dog without permission. If we did so, the puppies would in any case not be eligible for Kennel Club registration. Consequently, you never see purebred Norfolks in rescue, and though I'm sure there are some delightful Norfolk crossbreds out there, so far they've escaped the attention of the bandwagonners who just breed any two dogs and call it a new breed. Don't get me wrong, I think responsible crossbreeding is often a good thing, when somebody like HenGen does it with two suitable dogs on a small scale, not for profit - the trouble starts when puppy farmers and backyard breeders let standards slip, and then the dogs, puppies, and ignorant new owners all suffer down the line.
sorry, folks - rant over - i just feel so strongly about the need for good-enough puppies to end up in good-enough homes!
I must admit some of these new breeds do look rather smart and I do like the look of the cockapoo. I don't like the French bulldog/pug types. You can clearly see and hear their breathing is not right. My neighbour has two. She can't walk them far because they cannot breathe properly. I just think it is unnecessary cuelty.