The kennel club breed standard reform movement has made significant progress on reducing extreme conformations; continued advocacy for health over appearance is essential to prevent welfare regression.
Breed health reform has achieved measurable welfare improvements for many breeds through health testing requirements, revised breed standards, and Estimated Breeding Values for heritable conditions. However, progress is threatened by demand-driven social media trends that reward extreme conformations. The welfare case for reform must be continuously remade against commercial and aesthetic pressures that favour appearance over health. Consumer education remains as important as regulatory frameworks in sustaining and extending breed health improvements.