A Norwegian court has issued a landmark ruling concerning our beloved dogs, encouraging animal welfare advocates but upsetting kennel clubs around the world. The new law bans the breeding of two common breeds of flat-faced dogs: the English Bulldog and the Cavalier King Charles.
Victory for NSPA
"This is a day of celebration for our dogs! The Animal Welfare Act aims to protect animals from the irrational actions of humans, and it has done so today. It is about the right of dogs to be well," says Åshild Roaldset, veterinarian and general manager of Animal Protection Norway.
On 31 January, the Oslo District Court ruled that the breeding of English Bulldogs and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels violates existing animal welfare legislation in the northern European country.
The lawsuit was brought by the Norwegian Society for the Protection of Animals (NSPA), which opposes the breeding of animals with severe health problems, including those with flattened faces.
The NSPA sued three Kennel Clubs and six individual breeders, including the Norwegian Kennel Club and the respective Kennel Clubs for English Bulldogs and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.
According to the judges, brachycephalic dogs must be crossed with another, healthier breed if they are to reproduce.
Roaldset made his opinion clear in a note published on the website kommunikasjon.ntb.no:
"For many decades, sick dogs have been bred in violation of Norwegian law. What has happened here is a systematic and organised betrayal of our four-legged friends. Today it has been confirmed that this is a crime".
Disappointment for NKC and general controversy
The Norwegian Kennel Club, which opposed the NSPA's court case, said they were "surprised and disappointed" by the ruling, arguing that it would be detrimental to animal welfare.
For its part, the UK Kennel Club shared the concerns of its Norwegian counterpart, saying that breed bans are difficult to enforce and could fuel irresponsible breeding and puppy smuggling.
Opinions on the issue are also not uniform among veterinarians: some support breed bans and others wonder whether they will be listened to by pet owners and realistically applied.
Many professionals, on the other hand, are wary of the health risks associated with brachycephalic.
What are the health problems for flat-faced dogs?
Brachycephaly is evident in more than a dozen breeds, including Bulldogs, Pugs and Boston terriers, and is also present in other types of animals, such as cats, rabbits and horses.
Structurally flattened faces are associated with a number of health problems, including breathing and breeding difficulties, as well as eye, skin and dental problems.
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is prone to the following disorders:
- Heart disease
- Chronic migraine
- Eye diseases
- Joint diseases
The English Bulldog, on the other hand, is susceptible to:
- Patella dislocation
- Respiratory problems
- Skin disorders
- Kidney stones
Towards a change for other countries?
The court victory for the charity comes after another European country, the Netherlands.
In 2019, the Netherlands pledged to enforce its anti-brachycephaly laws, a decision that prompted the Dutch Kennel Club to become the first such club in the world to end the registration of certain brachycephalic breeds (in its case 12), although this has caused quite a bit of controversy.
Is this the beginning of the end for genetic modification of dogs? One would now expect other countries around the world to turn their attention to these delicate dog breeds.
Related video
