Can the Bulldog be Saved?

A long article on bulldogs and problems with purebreds in general from the NYT:

Any breed so inbred as to have significant congenital problems such as the bulldog's should be deregistered.

The pictures of earlier bulldogs in that article look like wholly different breeds entirely; restoring them to something like that would probably be a good thing, though the various abusers in charge of current breed standards would probably spit nails at the thought.

They are a very popular breed here in Georgia, and he gets some really big bucks for them. He gave me a French bulldog puppies. And after a few months I could not get that critter housebroken. I would take her out in the morning, afternoon and evening, but she would still poop in the middle of the night. I gave her back to him before I did some bodily harm to her.

I fully agree that they have too many health problems. We need responsible breeders to try to breed the dog to be more healthy. I wouldn't mind a little longer face or other small changes to better the breed. People also must do their research before buying bullies. We knew a lot about their problems, but we didn't know how easily they could have or develop allergies. Once we figured out Aubrey's allergies to food, things went and are going well. They take a lot of work; we clean her wrinkles, tail pocket, and ears pretty much daily. Honestly, she is probably cleaner than any dog I've ever had, but I clean myself everyday, so why can't she stay clean? We also watch how much she eats (she is also on high quality food because of sensitivities) and keep her at a healthy weight. She is pretty slim for a bulldog, but she is fit and healthy. She doesn't snore much and she can run around and play with my Jack Russell for a good while as long as it is not 90 degrees outside. We plan on keeping her from getting fat; I know people see bulldogs as cute for their tubby size, but I want my girl healthy to keep her joints healthy and breathing alright. People have to be responsible owners and breeders have to be responsible to breed the healthiest of bulldogs.
Would I ever get another bulldog? Absolutely. Despite the trials we had getting her tummy situated and the work it takes to keep her skin and ears clean, I wouldn't trade her for the world. We have had our share of vet bills with her, but we also have with our Jack Russells and wiener dogs over the years. I do worry when a line of bulldogs such as the Ugga bulldogs start dying too young for even the breed and exhibit severe problems, and it makes me see even more how we need responsible breeders instead of those breeding for money, etc. There really needs to be a movement within owners/breeders of he breed to ensure the best practices are used, but I really don't see it happening.

And it's sad that there are so many where the physical standards are essentially deformities that compromise health... smooshed in snouts, stumpy legs, bulging eyes, underbite, those damn hairless ugly as sin creatures and dogs so hairy they can't see or find their own parts.

I also despise surgically chopping a dog up in order to qualify as a physical standard of the breed like tail and ear docking. Dogs need their tails not only for communication but for balance (it acts much like a rudder on a boat). Chopping up floppy ears to make them stand up invites ear infections since only natural stand up ears have the protective inner fur to keep airborne crap and bacteria out.

No, we shouldn't be breeding dogs whose physical standards are so deformed as to create serious health problems.

See, that's what it comes down to. Take out the monetary gain on the backs of animals and we could do/solve quite a bit.

When humans stop making money of an animal, the animal suddenly becomes better off.