The problem is that for the last two centuries we've been breeding for conformance with an æsthetic standard, rather than breeding for conformance with a work-

The problem is that for the last two centuries we've been breeding for conformance with an æsthetic standard, rather than breeding for conformance with a work- and health-based standard. My understanding is that many of distinct traits found in show breeds were originally working traits, but have now become exaggerated & useless. Personally, I don't care for the idea of breeding show dogs. It's one thing to breed dogs for a specific purpose (e.g. hunting or herding): then the negatives of particular trait are the cost of its benefits. There's no (IMNSHO) valid benefit to a non-productive trait.