Isn't that a bit of a misrepresentation of the problem though? The genetic problems that bulldogs exhibit aren't results of the traits you mention, but of conformance to a breed standard and the trends of a very small minority of bulldog owners (those that show them).
Unfortunately, that small minority drives the cost of bulldogs and thus drives the breeders. If the bulldog standard was revised to a healthier expectation and the show dog fashion was for more robust dogs, the breed would improve in the areas where it falters now and it wouldn't impact the traits you mentioned right?
How do you mean? When you say "misrepresentation."
All breeders (in theory) are breeding to the "breed standard," which means if the standard says to breed unhealthy dogs then that's what they do. Because of the existence of the standard in its current state, even 'pet owners' (rather than dog showers/breeders) will be forced to buy dogs that are unhealthy. It is by design. This is precisely why it must be changed.
I am of course referring to the English Bulldog when I say "all" (this variety is overwhelmingly unhealthy) whereas the American variety seems to be significantly better off.
So - YES, we should change the standard to focus on health.
But - NO, breeders are not "the minority." Not all breeders show their dogs, not all handlers breed the dogs they show, but because they are the ones doing the breeding, the responsibility begins with them.
I'm uncertain of that. American bulldogs, for instance, are much more demanding than English bulldogs. Part of what you're buying in a bulldog is a low-energy dog.
American bulldogs are specifically bred for 2 traits against what you mentioned size & energy. So I think that is largely a bad counter example.
Granted I have no idea about dog breeding but you can see in the history of the bulldog itself that it is getting more exaggerated in the traits that make it less healthy. Do we know if they are getting more companionable?
Unfortunately, that small minority drives the cost of bulldogs and thus drives the breeders. If the bulldog standard was revised to a healthier expectation and the show dog fashion was for more robust dogs, the breed would improve in the areas where it falters now and it wouldn't impact the traits you mentioned right?