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> The dog is no longer in a setting where this is crucial to their survival

It is crucial to their survival. That's how they made it to this day in these numbers.



Dogs, in the US, are no longer an asset to use as a tool, such as herding, but merely a companion in the vast majority of cases. Agreed they became what they were in order to be useful enough to feed and care for, but different traits may be desired as a pure companion.


Reproduction and evolutionary success in breeding conditions are not the same thing as survival. No breeder kills off dogs with unwanted characteristics, they just don’t breed them.


> No breeder kills dogs […]

I sadly have to disagree as history tells us a different story, e.g.

"Back in the day, puppies without a ridge were either euthanized or culled at birth." https://healthyhomemadedogtreats.com/ridgeless-rhodesian-rid...

I learned that when I met such a dog the first time some years ago and the owner told me about this. And I would not bet that it actually is "history" nowadays.


Evolutionary success is survival for genes.


Yes they do. Farmers will kill dogs who attack/bite sheep & cattle without much hesitation.




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