What is the point?

Ok ok, I know this is a raw feeding blog, but stay with me.
The other day I came across a photobucket album that was filled with pictures of many dog breeds around the 1920s. It sparked my interested, so I started to scan through them. Was I in for a shock!

Here is a picture of a champion German Shepherd Dog in 1920.
Now the head looks pretty much like a GSD, obviously there are some changes in present day. But what about the body? That looks NOTHING like an average AKC conformation champion GSD of present day. In fact, it bears a striking resemblance to today's Belgian Malinois.

As I looked through the album this trend continued. Some present day breeds seem to be merely an over exaggerated extreme of their former ancestors. Once they have gone as extreme as possible, it seems we move onto another breed to continue the same process.

Here are some more examples:

Pekingese - 1920
Tibetan Spaniel - Present
Pekingese - Present

Shetland Sheepdog - 1915
Border Collie - Present
Shetland Sheepdog - Present

Cocker Spaniel - 1911
Sussex Spaniel - Present (Already being exaggerated)
Cocker Spaniel - Present

Afghan Hound - 1902
Saluki - Present
Afghan Hound - Present

Now, I'm not saying that all breeds are like this, and even not all dogs in the breeds I've used as examples. But I have to wonder what the point of all this is. Why are we breeding for extremes like this? What was wrong with the breeds in the early 1900s? What is so attractive and important about dogs walking on their hocks, the "flying" trot, and extreme amounts of coat? Is it healthy?

I think we need to seriously ask ourselves these questions, and give honest answers. And then, maybe, we can change things.

Personally, I would pass up this dog any day, for one like this. And that ain't no flying trot people.