Here's how much some dog breeds have changed over the space of 100 years

According to many scholars, dogs and humans have been keeping each other company for over twenty thousand years. 

However, the selective cross-breeding of some dog breeds with the aim of obtaining animals with specific physical characteristics, on the other hand, is something much more recent.

In fact, since the nineteenth century, people have intervened in the reproduction of dogs, giving rise to races that very often present health problems, precisely because they were born from a forced crossbreeding.

With these images, we can get an idea of how much some of them have changed over the last hundred years. 

Cover image: Wikipedia 1 / Ss 051 (CC BY-SA 3.0)

The Dobermann breed often has heart problems, blood coagulation problems, and hip dysplasia.

However, in recent years this species has been born with a much less aggressive character than in the past.

The San Bernardo was once rather athletic and suitable as a working dog. However, today, it is more stocky and with a particularly thick coat that weighs down its figure and its movements.

The Basset Hound now appears lower, less agile and with a noticeable excess of skin that exposes it to a greater risk of infections.

The dachshund has been lengthened more and more, with the result that now its spinal column must support an even greater weight.

Over time the posture of the Boxer has changed, especially that of the neck, as well as the length of its muzzle.

Moreover, many specimens suffer from epilepsy due to the skull that has become too small.

The back of German shepherd dogs has become increasing lower and this often leads them to have problems with their hips and legs, especially in old age.

Today, the bearded collie has a much thicker and longer coat, which makes it sensitive even to the minimum temperature increase. These dogs also often suffer from hip dysplasia.

The skull of the bull terrier has been modified to the point of causing hearing problems to many of these dogs. They are also often affected by kidney problems or heart disease.

Today's Pug dog suffers from high blood pressure, difficulty in breathing and dermatitis in the folds of its skin. The tail looks a lot more curled ... but it was worth it?

Saluki is today a dog prone to developing eye diseases and cancer. Moreover, it is so delicate that it burns easily in sunlight, especially on the nose.

The bulldog is perhaps one of the most obvious selective crossbreeding cases.

The nose is crushed in an unnatural way to the detriment of breathing; the head is enormous, so much so that often the puppies are born by cesarean section. Average life expectancy? Only six years ... 

In short, these images give us an idea of the damage that has been done due to dog breeders who have focused only on their own desires at the expense of the helpless who, very often, are our most faithful friends.