Survival of the fittest?

I expect that many of you watched last night's episode of Planet Earth II! The filming of animal and plant life in one of the world's most hostile habitats was spectacular and the contents astonishing — in order to cope with the hurdles presented by life in the desert animals have had to adapt in ingenious ways. Not only are they faced daily with having to find food and water, but the surface temperature can reach 160° — they hide, they hop, they swarm and the fight, all to survive to do the same again the next day.

The animals seen in veterinary practice are largely domesticated — and while this certainly makes life for them easier (they no longer have to hunt or fear predation), it has not necessarily made them healthier. I am, of course, thinking about the brachycephaic breeds that have made headline news in recent months. The interfering hand of humans in selective breeding has altered the genetic traits of brachycephalic breeds in such a way that these cats and dogs are limited in their ability to go about their daily lives (for example with problems breathing), and in a way that goes against nature — they are not better adapted to their environment, but less well adapted.