The upcoming Scottish Kennel Club Championship Show, scheduled for May 15 to 18, faces strong criticism from animal welfare activists. They are concerned about the participation of brachycephalic, or flat-faced, dog breeds like pugs and French Bulldogs.
PETA has called for these breeds to be removed from the competition. The group cites a study by the Royal Veterinary College, which found that many brachycephalic dogs suffer serious health problems. These problems make it hard for them to breathe normally.
Kate Werner, PETA’s Senior Campaigns Manager, said, “It is time to stop promoting breeds with physical deformities that cause breathing difficulties. Many of these dogs struggle to breathe, let alone play or chase a ball.”
Werner urged the Scottish Kennel Club to exclude flat-faced breeds from the show. She also encouraged people to adopt healthy mixed-breed dogs, many of whom are currently waiting in shelters.
This controversy arises shortly after Crufts, a major dog show, introduced mandatory health testing for flat-faced dogs. At Crufts, brachycephalic breeds must pass a new breathing test to compete.
Jane Ladlow, a European and Royal College Specialist in small animal surgery, and Dr. Nai-Chieh Lui developed a non-invasive method to assess airway function in these dogs. Their work led to the creation of the Respiratory Function Grading Scheme (RFG), a system licensed in 15 countries.
The RFG grades dogs based on their breathing ability. Dogs receiving the highest severity grade are not allowed to participate in competitions.
Concerns about the welfare of brachycephalic dogs have been ongoing because these breeds are more prone to serious health issues. In December last year, the UK Legal Advisory Group on Extreme Conformation in Dogs warned that breeding moderately or severely brachycephalic dogs might be an animal welfare offense in England.
In Norway, the Oslo District Court ruled in 2022 that breeding English Bulldogs and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels violates the Norwegian Animal Welfare Act.
Similarly, the Netherlands has introduced laws to discourage breeding brachycephalic dogs. Veterinarians there are also urging people to stop breeding these breeds.