Companion Animal Welfare

Dog Breed Conformations and Welfare: The Reform Agenda

Reforming dog breed standards to eliminate welfare-compromising conformations requires engagement across kennel clubs, veterinary associations, breeders, and consumers.

Key Facts

Welfare Considerations

Breed conformation reform requires coordinated action across multiple institutional actors who have different interests and different leverage points. Kennel club standard reform affects show breeding; veterinary professional position statements shift practitioner influence; advertising standards affect which breeds are promoted; and consumer education shifts demand. Each lever is necessary and none is sufficient alone for the scale of reform required.

What You Can Do