A potential new law in the UK could result in the prohibition of 67 dog breeds, as per campaigners. The all-party parliamentary group for animal welfare (APGAW) is currently developing legislation aimed at enhancing the welfare of dogs in the country.
Under the proposed regulations, specific traits like short noses, flat faces, and shortened legs could lead to a breed being banned. A 10-point checklist may be utilized to assess a breed’s health status. Features that might be prohibited include mottled skin, excessive skin folds, bulging eyes, drooping eyelids, underbite, overbite, and breathing difficulties.
Opponents of the legislation argue that it could lead to the banning of popular breeds such as corgis, dachshunds, Westies, chihuahuas, and shih tzus. The focus on short legs is due to concerns about potential spine and leg issues in breeds like corgis and dachshunds. Additionally, breeds with flat faces are included due to worries about various health issues faced by dogs struggling to breathe.
Beverley Cuddy, the founder of the Union of Good Dog People, expressed strong opposition, stating that dog lovers in the country would be shocked by the potential implications of this law. Marisa Heath, the director of APGAW, countered criticisms, emphasizing that the Innate Health Assessment (IHA) is a voluntary tool designed to promote breeding from dogs with healthy physical traits, not to target specific breeds for extinction.
Although the IHA is currently optional, some councils are already using it to evaluate breeders’ practices in producing healthy dogs. The tool could potentially become mandatory within the next five years. Margaret Hoggarth, the secretary of the Welsh Corgi League, defended certain breeds like corgis, asserting their overall good health despite being categorized with other breeds due to shared characteristics like short legs.
