Kennel Club updates French bulldog breed standard
"Certain health problems in French bulldogs have been impacted by their huge increase in popularity" - Bil Lambert, Kennel Club.
The Kennel Club has updated the breed standard for the French bulldog to highlight the importance of avoiding exaggerated features that can lead to health problems.
Among the changes include the insertion that the well-defined muzzle should also ‘be clearly viewed in profile’ and that the nostrils should be ‘visibly’ open.
The move comes after the launch of the Respiratory Function Grading Scheme, launched in 2019 to support and encourage the responsible breeding of French Bulldogs and other brachycephalic breeds.
Bill Lambert, health and welfare expert at The Kennel Club, said: “Certain health problems in French Bulldogs have been impacted by their huge increase in popularity, and we continue to be extremely concerned that exaggerations which are perceived to create a ‘cute’ look or sound, have gradually become seen as normal and even desirable.
“All breed standards are regularly reviewed, informed by ongoing breed-specific health data, and are explicit that any physical exaggerations should be avoided. These changes to the French Bulldog breed standard aim to ensure it cannot be misinterpreted and that dogs are bred with their health and welfare as the absolute priority.”
The French Bulldog breed standard was reviewed by the Kennel Club, together with breed clubs, experts, vets, academics and welfare organisations that make up the Brachycephalic Working Group (BWG), formed in 2016 to improve the welfare of ‘flat-faced’ dogs.
Welcoming the move, RSPCA dog welfare expert Dr Samantha Gaines said: “We’re really pleased to see the Kennel Club has updated the breed standard for the French bulldog to further highlight the importance of breeding these dogs with health and welfare as a priority.
“The RSPCA - as a member of the Brachycephalic Working Group - has long been calling for an urgent review of the breed standard, and we’re pleased that the Kennel Club has committed to this update which stresses the importance of the length of the dog’s muzzle as well as having wider nostrils. We are hopeful that these changes are reflected in the show ring with judges awarding dogs for more moderate features and that other breed clubs will similarly follow suit.”
BWG chair Dr Dan O’Neill added: “These changes show that all breeds can, and must, evolve to redress any serious health issues associated with conformation. We encourage would-be owners to place good health, welfare and temperament above human desires when choosing a breed, and we urge more people to ‘stop and think before buying a flat-faced dog'".
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