UK introduces voluntary health assessment for flat-faced dog breeds

"With their huge eyes, large heads and tiny snub noses, the public perceptions of flat-faced dogs as cute and infant-like has driven demand over recent years. Film, TV and the greetings card industries have long capitalised on this anthropomorphism, attracting criticism from animal welfare campaigners who highlight the painful health disorders experienced by the extreme conformation of short-muzzled or brachycephalic breeds such as the English bulldog, French bulldog and pug."

"The fashion for extreme conformation is arguably the most chronic and prevalent welfare issue in dogs in the UK, yet it persists in plain sight in a nation of animal lovers. It is yet another valuable tool in the armoury of those fighting to phase out extreme breeding, and while ownership of brachycephalic breeds remains high internationally, the message may be getting through."

"Now scientists have launched a toolkit to assess dogs on 10 traits, called the innate health assessment (IHA), which can be used to them. The scheme introduced by the all-party parliamentary group for animal welfare (APGAW) is voluntary and intended to breed out extreme deformities for all breeds. Those passing eight of the criteria are judged acceptable for breeding. The list includes merle, or mottled colouration, wrinkly skin, bulging outward-turning eyes, drooping eyelids, under or overbite and a muzzle that allows easy breathing."

Public perceptions of flat-faced dogs as cute and infant-like have driven demand for short-muzzled breeds. Film, TV and greetings-card industries have capitalised on anthropomorphism, increasing popularity. Animal welfare campaigners note that extreme brachycephalic conformation causes painful health disorders in English bulldogs, French bulldogs and pugs. Scientists introduced the Innate Health Assessment (IHA) toolkit to assess ten innate traits; dogs passing eight criteria are judged acceptable for breeding. The voluntary APGAW scheme aims to breed out extreme deformities across breeds. Recent Royal Veterinary College research indicates survey participants prefer less extreme body shapes, offering welfare opportunities.

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