Writing in Biology

There is a new retrovirus which is devastating dog populations and killing at an astoundingly rapid rate. It is of course a terrible shame to let any dog suffer and die. Unfortunately we only have enough vaccine supply to save one breed. As a dog lover and a biologist my best recommendation would be to save German Shepherds.

When someone thinks of a dog they want to have as part of their family, what traits come to mind first? Loyalty, protective, affectionate and playful are likely candidates. German Shepherds encompass these traits wonderfully. They are a loyal and protective dog and would make good guard dogs for families. This breed is also known to be highly intelligent. They also require relatively little maintenance when compared to other dogs. Of course they are highly energetic and love to play as well! Overall, the German Shepherd has a great temperament and will make the an excellent addition to any family and may fill a variety of other roles, such as a service or police dog.

I must reiterate how terrible it is that we are forced to choose a single breed to save because of this awful retrovirus. I do not want to see any dog suffer, and I especially do not want to see any breed completely vanish. However, for the reasons stated previously, and in my opinion as a dog lover, I believe our best choice of dog breed to save is the German Shepherd.

Citation:

https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/german-shepherd-dog

A new retrovirus has the potential to kill off thousands of dogs breeds across the nation. It is our duty to determine which dog breed should be saved. I argue that a vaccine should be given to Golden Retrievers because these dogs are family favorites and should be saved for ethical, emotional and logical reasons. A high percentage of dog owning families have golden retrievers, making them an extremely popular breed. It would be a shame to kill off a breed that are such common household pet. Saving this breed would cause the least amount of people despair and mourning. Additionally, these dogs are considered fully grown at the age of one; it would make sense to save a breed that is full grown at an early age so that the virus isn’t killing off a high percentage of puppies.

            Additionally, golden retrievers are loveable, friendly, and cuddly making them a household favorite. Young kids think of their family’s pet golden retriever as another sibling, and it would be catastrophic to their emotional well-being to take away a piece of their family. Golden retrievers are loyal pets; it would be upsetting to put them in danger after seeing how loyal they are the their owners.

The future of domestic dogs is at serious risk due to an extremely aggressive new retrovirus. Despite scientists having found a vaccine that can cure the disease, it seems that there is only enough to cure one pregnant mother and her puppies. This poses an important ethical dilemma, since researchers are convinced that they must choose a breed of dog to be saved. Considering this from the Occidental point of view, dogs are our equals and our ethics tells us that the right thing to do would be saving all dogs regardless of their origin. Thus, making any decision that favors one specific dog would be unjust towards the rest.

We would need more information about the retroviral vaccine and pregnancy stage of the mother, but it seems that only her and her pups will survive and they will be the original ancestors of all future dogs to come. Considering this situation, the mother and her pups face a grim future, since the next reasonable step would be to exploit them by keeping them constantly pregnant via artificial insemination in order to increase the gene pool and avoid a genetic bottleneck that would only postpone the extinction of dogs for a few more generations. Thus, trying to save a specific dog breed would not be a good solution, since we would need as much genetic diversity as possible.

Another fact that we should take into consideration is that viruses evolve as well. Viruses are interested in their own survival, and must keep a balance between mortality and efficiency to infect other organisms. If a virus kills its host too soon, it will have less chances of coming into contact with other potential hosts to infect them and ensure its survival. That is the reason why it is possible that dogs and viruses may reach a balance between them and both will survive without human interference, the virus by becoming less virulent, and the dogs maybe by arising mutations that confer them more resistance. 

Still, if the virus maintains its virulence and dogs are doomed to go extinct unless a vaccinated pregnant dog saves them, I would choose a stray dog to be that savior. Stray dogs often have no definite breed, which would be important for avoiding genetic bottleneck. As well, stray dogs are often forgotten by society because people tend to prefer pure breeds.

By choosing a stray dog, the new generations of dogs would be composed of completely different and unique individuals. Humanity would amend all the damage it has caused on dog breeds via artificial selection, such as the respiratory distress that current pugs suffer on a daily basis. And hopefully people would no longer discriminate dogs by their appearance, and these kind animals would finally be treated as the companions that humans started domesticating thousands of years ago, instead of being used as symbols of status by some people.

We would need more information about the retroviral vaccine and pregnancy stage of the mother, but it seems that only her and her pups will survive and they will be the original ancestors of all future dogs to come. Considering this situation, the mother and her pups face a grim future, since the next reasonable step would be to exploit them by keeping them constantly pregnant via artificial insemination in order to increase the gene pool and avoid a genetic bottleneck that would only postpone the extinction of dogs for a few more generations. Thus, trying to save a specific dog breed would not be a good solution, since we would need as much genetic diversity as possible.

Unfortunately there is a new retrovirus which is devastating dog populations. As a dog lover and a biologist my best recommendation would be to save German Shepherds with our small supply of vaccine. It is of course a shame to let any dog breed suffer and die, though I truly believe the German shepherd is the best breed to save.

When someone thinks of a dog they want to have as part of their family, what traits come to mind first? For most, this would likely be loyalty, protective and affection. German Shepherds encompass these traits wonderfully. They are a loyal and protective dog and would make a good guard dog for any family. Not only that, but they are a very intelligent breed of dog. These dogs require relatively little maintenance when compared to other dogs. Overall, the German Shepherd has a great temperament and will make the an excellent addition to any family. I must reiterate, that it is terrible that this retrovirus is killing at such a rapid rate. The decision is not a simple one, but I believe German Shepherds are the best dog breed candidate to be saved.

With a new retrovirus devastating the current dog population it is important to save a breed that will carry on the legacy of dogs honorably in the future. I have lived with dogs all of my life, I was born to parents who were dog owners. Pets played an instrument role in my childhood and upbringing, since the day I was born until the day I die, I will play with, care for, and live alongside dogs. Dogs to me are not simply pets though, they are family members to love and protect. I cannot image a world in which dogs would not exist, if dogs were to go extinct an amazing light and beautiful harmony between man and beast would be extinguished from the world. If I could I would save all dog breeds from this terrible virus, but forced to save a specific breed I would choose the French briard.

The French briard is a truly amazing animal, they have served humanity nobly for hundreds of years. Kings and emperors alike have called on their service many times due to their protective and fiercely loyal nature. Charlemagne King of the Frankish Empire and Holy Roman Emperor owned briards, valuing their companionship over all other breeds. Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor of France also owned briards, utilizing them as watch dogs and sentries as they were very alert dogs who could bark loudly if danger was close or if individuals that posed a threat were nearby (American Kennel Club).

Leaders and rulers alike have taken briards for pets by valuing the same characteristics that people have seen in briards for centuries. Originally breed for herding and protecting sheep in rural France the briard’s temperament, dedication, and loyalty to their owners makes them useful for a wide range of tasks and makes them ideal pets. In both world wars they served their human owners and were used in support roles so often that their breed almost went extinct from being over extended as guards and search and rescue dogs. Even today briards are used by military and police forces due to their many positive qualities. If any dog breed were to be saved from this virus, that breed should be one who has served humanity faithfully and deserves survival for its past, present, and future importance.

As a former briard owner I can attest to their loving and caring nature. They are kind animals who typically are friendly and gentle, yet are protective of their owners in the face of danger. My dog Dusty was a beautiful dog, an amazing animal whose long hair gave him a goofy lovability that any person, dog person or not, could appreciate. While his time on Earth was cut short by a rare disease, there is not a day that goes by when I don’t think of Dusty or the joy he brought into my world. I know me and family would give anything to have our Dusty back, sadly we live in a world of absolutes. While his return is impossible maybe the survival of the briard would be enough to carry on Dusty’s legacy forever.

Citations

"Briard." American Kennel Club, www.akc.org/dog-breeds/briard/. 

As a former briard owner I can attest to their loving and caring nature. They are kind animals who typically are friendly and gentle, yet are protective of their owners in the face of danger. My dog Dusty was a beautiful dog, an amazing animal whose long hair gave him a goofy lovability that any person, dog person or not, could appreciate. While his time on Earth was cut short by a rare disease, there is not a day that goes by when I don’t think of Dusty or the joy he brought into my world. I know me and family would give anything to have our Dusty back, sadly we live in a world of absolutes. While his return is impossible maybe the survival of the briard would be enough to carry on Dusty’s legacy forever. 

As a former briard owner I can attest to their loving and caring nature. They are kind animals who typically are friendly and gentle, yet are protective of their owners in the face of danger. My dog Dusty was a beautiful dog, an amazing animal whose long hair gave him a goofy lovability that any person, dog person or not, could appreciate. 

With a new retrovirus devastating the current dog population it is important to save a breed that will carry on the legacy of dogs honorably in the future. I have lived with dogs all of my life, I was born to parents who were dog owners. Pets played an instrument role in my childhood and upbringing, since the day I was born until the day I die, I will play with, care for, and live alongside dogs. Dogs to me are not simply pets though, they are family members to love and protect. I cannot image a world in which dogs would not exist, if dogs were to go extinct an amazing light and beautiful harmony between man and beast would be extinguished from the world. If I could I would save all dog breeds from this terrible virus, but forced to save a specific breed I would choose the French briard.

The French briard is a truly amazing animal, they have served humanity nobly for hundreds of years. Kings and emperors alike have called on their service many times due to their protective and fiercely loyal nature. Charlemagne King of the Frankish Empire and Holy Roman Emperor owned briards, valuing their companionship over all other breeds. Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor of France also owned briards, utilizing them as watch dogs and sentries as they were very alert dogs who could bark loudly if danger was close or if individuals that posed a threat were nearby (American Kennel Club).

Leaders and rulers alike have taken briards for pets by valuing the same characteristics that people have seen in briards for centuries. Originally breed for herding and protecting sheep in rural France the briard’s temperament, dedication, and loyalty to their owners makes them useful for a wide range of tasks and makes them ideal pets. In both world wars they served their human owners and were used in support roles so often that their breed almost went extinct from being over extended as guards and search and rescue dogs. Even today briards are used by military and police forces due to their many positive qualities. If any dog breed were to be saved from this virus, that breed should be one who has served humanity faithfully and deserves survival for its past, present, and future importance.

With a new retrovirus devastating the current dog population it is important to save a breed that will carry on the legacy of dogs honorably in the future. I have lived with dogs all of my life, I was born to parents who were dog owners. Pets played an instrument role in my childhood and upbringing, since the day I was born until the day I die, I will play with, care for, and live alongside dogs. Dogs to me are not simply pets though, they are family members to love and protect. I cannot image a world in which dogs would not exist, if dogs were to go extinct an amazing light and beautiful harmony between man and beast would be extinguished from the world. If I could I would save all dog breeds from this terrible virus, but forced to save a specific breed I would choose the French briard.

The French briard is a truly amazing animal, they have served humanity nobly for hundreds of years. Kings and emperors alike have called on their service many times due to their protective and fiercely loyal nature. Charlemagne King of the Frankish Empire and Holy Roman Emperor owned briards, valuing their companionship over all other breeds. Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor of France also owned briards, utilizing them as watch dogs and sentries as they were very alert dogs who could bark loudly if danger was close or if individuals that posed a threat were nearby (American Kennel Club).