Brachycephalic breeds including Bulldogs, Pugs and French Bulldogs have been selectively bred to conformations that cause chronic breathing difficulties and other welfare problems.
Brachycephalic breeding represents an ongoing welfare crisis driven by aesthetic preferences that conflict directly with dog health. Breeds normalised as "cute" for their flat faces have been bred to conformations incompatible with basic comfortable breathing. The popularity of these breeds despite widespread publicity about their health problems illustrates the challenge of welfare-based breeding reform. Meaningful change requires a combination of breeding standard reform, veterinary advocacy, advertising restrictions and informed consumer choices.