Vet shows how ‘most popular’ dog breeds have changed over the years

A vet has revealed the dramatic changes in some of the “most popular” dog breeds “in the world”, and the differences are startling. There’s a plethora of dog breeds, with animal enthusiasts across the globe each having their own favourite.

Some owners want to welcome a formidable guard dog into their home, others seek affection and loyalty, and some yearn for a pet that’s simply the perfect size for their home. Regardless of your breed preference, dogs are a significant commitment; they require long-term care and attention, regular exercise, consistent veterinary check-ups, and more.

Over time, selective breeding by humans has transformed many dogs’ appearance and how they act. Certain desirable traits and characteristics among dogs – such as their behaviour, coat and size – have been highlighted, leading to the creation and development of a variety of breeds each with their unique features.

Vet Ben, who has gathered more than 200K followers on TikTok, regularly impresses social media users by sharing his expert advice and insight on a range of pet-related topics.

Recently, he’s posted a video series discussing the major changes in certain popular dog breeds over the years as they’ve continued to be bred for specific qualities.

Ben has utilised the 1915 book, Dogs of all Nations, to demonstrate how selective breeding has changed the appearance of some of the most renowned breeds in the world.

In the latest episode of his series, the vet delved into the evolution of the much-adored French bulldog, a breed that has consistently captured the hearts of dog enthusiasts.

He shared an image of the cherished pooch from 1915, highlighting a striking difference: the typically compact and robust canine once boasted longer legs and a more athletic physique.

Ben said: “The 1915 dog is still very much recognisable as the breed that we know today – one of the most popular dog breeds in the world – but it looks like a slightly more athletic, long-backed, longer-limbed version.

“The face is looking straight on [in the 1915 image] so we can’t assess the skull in profile to see how flat, or not, the face is but you can see that overall, it still has the same wide, short skull shape that we see in French bulldogs today that we know predisposes to a lot of eye, dental and upper respiratory problems.”

In the caption to his video, the vet wrote: “As before, each photo is just one example of the breed, and there will be variation in each breed – but some of these have changed much more than others in appearance.”

He also touched on other breeds such as the German Shepherd, noting in his video’s caption: “The photo I have used of the modern German Shepherd is a fairly extreme example but I do see dogs with this sort of conformation in the clinic, as well Shepherds with less extreme angulation – I never see Shepherds that look like the 1915 dog!”

On camera, he highlighted the evolution of the German Shepherd since 1915, noting it was “less stocky” and “less deep chested” with the “major difference is in the rear of the dog”.

He added: “Modern German Shepherds, unfortunately, have a high rate of hip dysplasia and lumbosacral disease, and this body shape is likely a big part of the reason why.”

Ben also observed that the Saint Bernard has significantly changed since 1915 and appears o have “drooped south” with saggier skin, making them susceptible to drooling, dermatitis, and eye issues.