Selective breeding for exaggerated physical traits has created severe inherited health problems in many dog breeds. Breed reform programs offer a path toward healthier dogs.
Many popular dog breeds carry breed-standard conformations that cause chronic suffering. Brachycephalic dogs struggle to breathe their entire lives. CKCSpaniels experience headaches and pain from syringomyelia. These are not accidental problems but bred features that have been selected for aesthetic reasons at the expense of welfare. Breed reform — selecting for moderate conformations within breeds — is possible without eliminating the breed characteristics owners love. Consumer rejection of extreme conformations, breeder education, and kennel club reform represent the three-pronged approach needed for lasting change.