Why Some Dogs Don't Feel Pain: Unveiling the Mystery

Now, let's delve into an intriguing question: Why do some dogs seem indifferent to pain?

Origins of Breeding

As mentioned earlier, the Bull Terrier was bred primarily for fighting. But it's not just the Bull Terrier; many dog breeds have been selectively bred to have a lower pain threshold. This is one of the key characteristics that breeders consider when developing a new breed. Most hunting dogs, for instance, are less prone to pain than companion dogs. Breeders must ask themselves: Would a hunting dog be too afraid of pain to venture into thickets to retrieve game? Would it dare to dive into a frigid lake to hunt? The breed's original purpose is a significant factor in determining its pain sensitivity.

Professional Perspectives

Many breeders believe that larger dogs are more resilient to pain than smaller ones. However, this is a misconception. Size is only one factor in determining a dog's pain tolerance. A prime example is the German Shepherd.

Observe the trends among police dogs in your country, and you'll notice that many are being replaced by Malinois, Rottweiler, and Doberman breeds. This isn't because German Shepherds are less effective at their jobs; it's because they are more sensitive to pain compared to these other breeds. Pain sensitivity may not be a concern for a typical family pet, but for a police dog, it can lead to a refusal to carry out its duties.

Imagine a scenario where a group of police officers, accompanied by German Shepherds, are chasing a criminal through the jungle. At the critical moment, the officers decide to send the dogs to apprehend the suspect. But what if one of the dogs, irritated by the painful scratches from the dense underbrush, refuses to continue the pursuit? The consequences could be dire.

So far, no institution or organization has been willing to conduct tests on dogs regarding their pain tolerance. This is because such experiments would require the dogs to undergo various forms of pain tests in a laboratory, observing their pain threshold from different angles and at various intensities.

Rest assured, most institutions with the means to conduct such tests would refrain from doing so due to ethical concerns. And those without the means simply don't see the need for such experiments. After all, understanding a breed's original breeding purpose can provide insight into its pain tolerance, rendering further testing unnecessary.