Dog Breed Health Reform and Welfare

Reform of breed standards to prioritise health over extreme physical traits is urgently needed to improve the welfare of millions of pedigree dogs.

Key Facts

French bulldogs, English bulldogs, and pugs are among the most popular but most welfare-compromised breeds
Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome causes chronic respiratory distress in flat-faced breeds
KC and FCI breed standards have been amended to reduce extreme conformation, but enforcement is inconsistent
Breeding for exaggerated traits is driven by consumer demand and fashion
Health testing schemes for heritable conditions are available for many breeds but not universally adopted

Welfare Considerations

Breeding dogs for extreme physical traits prioritised by show standards or fashion causes heritable welfare problems that affect millions of individual dogs. Brachycephalic breeds experience lifelong respiratory distress, exercise intolerance, and sleep apnoea. Reform requires changes to breed standards, adoption of mandatory health testing, and shifts in consumer demand toward healthier breed types.

What You Can Do

Avoid purchasing breeds known to suffer from heritable conformation-related health problems
Choose breeders who health test and select away from extreme traits
Support breed standard reform campaigns led by veterinary and welfare organisations
Raise awareness about conformation-related welfare problems in popular breeds
Adopt from rescue organisations and consider crossbreeds or healthier breed types