Dwarf-lop teeth problems: Why is breeding allowed?

Question
Dear Dr Krempels,
I've read so much about dental problems in dwarf and lop rabbits that I would like to know why people are allowed to breed them?  

I am very interested in your answer as a dwarf-lop that I inherited from my teenage niece has recently been "put to sleep" after several surgeries to repair his dental problems.  It was a traumatic experience for us both and I did everything I could to repair what seemed to be essentially man-made, but the poor boy was not recovering as hoped.  In the end, his quality of life was undermined  and I, along with the vet, had to make the horrible decision to euthanise him.  He was only 10 months old, had always had  a predominantly grass and hay diet, but ended up with abscesses in the roots of his molars, requiring extraction, etc.

Answer
Dear Agatha,

I am so sorry about the terrible, traumatic loss of your little bunny.  And I'd like to know the answer to your question, too.  Unfortunately, I know the simple answer.  It's:  MONEY.  As long as people can make money breeding purebred rabbits, no one will dare to undermine the breeders.

Rabbit breeders cause untold suffering by inbreeding for desired traits, never minding that undesirable traits (e.g., dental problems, renal system problems, immune system problems, just to name a few) will "come along for the ride."  They just don't care.   They will sell or "cull" (euphemism for kill) the "imperfect" ones, keeping the others for breeding or show, as if they were bits of furniture.  I don't understand how anyone can claim to love rabbits and also breed them.

My husband and I live with more than 30 rescued rabbits.  All are the product of breeders who sold them to an unsuspecting public, who then proceeded to dump them when they realized they were a lot of work and/or had congenital health problems.  All our bunnies are spayed/neutered.  The ones with congenital (or other) health problems will live with us in sanctuary for the rest of their natural lives.

The House Rabbit Society has been working to fight exactly the type of breeder-generated tragedy you and your family suffered.  We do not condone the breeding of rabbits for *any* reason.  Thousands are dumped every year when the novelty wears off, and who knows how many more have to suffer from the congenital medical problems they have because of unscrupulous breeders.

I am sorry for your loss and the sadness.  I hope that if you ever find it in your heart to give a home to another bunny, you might consider rescuing a healthy hybrid from your local rabbit rescuer.  You must be a very loving person to have spent so much time and many resources on your little doomed friend, and I am sure he would be pleased to know that you have given a home to another one of His People.  You can learn more about the House Rabbit Society here:

http://www.rabbit.org/

Sending healing thoughts,

Dana