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Big eyes, snub noses, small skulls - dog breeds such as pugs, chihuahuas and bulldogs are in demand because of their cute appearance. But these fashionable breeds often come at a high price: they often suffer from respiratory and eye diseases, teeth or spine problems. This is not only emotionally but also financially stressful for the owners. If animals have to lead a life of pain and impairment due to bred-in beauty features, this is cruel breeding. The pug is one of the best-known examples. Daniela Raila fell in love with the breed more than 10 years ago. At the time, she had no idea what physical ailments her dogs Goldi and Simba would one day struggle with. Physiotherapy, medication, operations - she has invested more than 31,000 euros to make life more bearable for her animals. The sad fate of her darlings now motivates her to raise awareness of the issue in those around her and to inform them about the consequences of cruel breeding. Urte Inkmann from the Hamburg Animal Welfare Association treats dogs with bred-in problems every day. The dogs wheeze, their eyes water, and their backs hurt. The vet knows that an uncritical portrayal of dogs in social media and in advertising often leads to a further increase in demand for certain breeds. If the animals then become ill, they often end up in animal shelters. She would like to see more awareness of the suffering this causes animals. One of the most popular breeds in Germany is the French bulldog. But due to their characteristic flat snout and stocky build, their health also suffers. Jasmin Scholz-Helms wants to do better: the breeder makes sure her animals have a longer snout and longer legs. Her goal: health before appearance. Reportage (D 2023, 33 min) #dogs #pug #breeding Available until 23/06/2028 Subscribe to ARTE's YouTube channel: / artede Follow us on social networks: Facebook: / arte.tv Twitter: / artede Instagram: / arte.tv