Kennel Club Quietly Adds 14 Breeds to High Risk List – Dogster

Earlier this month, the Royal Kennel Membership within the UK sparked controversy when it quietly introduced that, along with the Bulldog, French Bulldog, and Pug, 14 extra breeds would now be included within the enlargement of its Respiratory Perform Grading Scheme (RFGS), in partnership with the College of Cambridge.¹ While Kennel Golf equipment within the US are stubbornly holding onto outdated conformational standards, this landmark step in prioritising canine well being over aesthetics has been largely met with optimistic opinions. Nonetheless, some breeders and homeowners have voiced their issues that that is revenue-raising disguised as animal advocacy.

On February 18th, 2026, the UK’s oldest and most revered kennel membership revealed {that a} new peer-reviewed analysis paper by Cambridge College, which evaluates Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) prevalence and severity throughout 14 breeds utilizing the prevailing RFG methodology,² demonstrated a various prevalence of BOAS throughout the canine assessed. Whereas some breeds confirmed no proof of clinically important illness, others had been discovered to have a 30-50% incidence of clinically important indicators. The announcement has been timed to coincide with the lead-up to one of many world’s most prestigious canine exhibits, Crufts, the place, from March 5-7, The Royal Kennel Membership might be providing free RFG testing on a stroll‑up foundation within the related breed halls, with no advance reserving required.

Which Breeds Are On The Record?

Becoming a member of the Bulldog, French Bulldog, and Pug on the checklist of canine included within the RFGS are:

Many on the checklist have come as one thing of a shock, significantly to homeowners and breeders. Nonetheless, they’ve been included as they show the anatomical and physiological traits which are thought of to be brachycephalic (i.e., shortened muzzle), and are subsequently in danger of being affected by brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS), not that they essentially have BOAS.

In a current assertion, The Royal Kennel Membership mentioned it has been working alongside the related breed communities to make sure the enlargement of the RFGS might be as easy as doable.

“Breed representatives have been engaged all through the method, together with a session interval which started in October 2025, and can proceed to be supported with breed-specific data and steerage because the scheme is rolled out. 

As a part of the following scheduled replace in June 2026, the Respiratory Perform Grading Scheme might be added to the Well being Commonplace for extra breeds, the place applicable and in keeping with the revealed methodology. The findings from the analysis, along with ongoing information collected via the expanded scheme, will assist inform how respiratory well being is addressed inside every breed, together with whether or not extra approaches are wanted over time, in keeping with the Royal Kennel Membership’s lately revealed Breeding for Well being Framework for 2026.”

That hasn’t stopped a wave of criticism being aimed on the new tips, with some suggesting that the enlargement of the RFGS is pointless and is being seen as a technique to enhance registration charges for the affected breeds. The feedback part below the Kennel Membership’s announcement on social media was dominated by breeders of the canine on the checklist, adamant that they’ve been unfairly and unnecessarily focused. One canine proprietor bemoaned that plenty of older people “simply need small companion canine that don’t want a lot train, and wish to preserve them as they’re,” possible unaware that it’s the anatomy and physiology of those canine, not simply their temperament, that always limits how a lot exercise they’re able to. Because the scientific report exhibits, whereas a few of these breeds show solely gentle detrimental results of their brachycephalic options, others present issues that considerably affect their high quality of life, and till breeding throughout the board is held to an ordinary that places the well being of the canine forward of recognition and income, this kind of scheme ought to be embraced and supported by all who want to protect their favored breed, fairly than have them marked for extinction, which is what some international locations are geared in the direction of.

In October 2022, the Norwegian Society for the Safety of Animals efficiently caused a ruling that successfully banned the breeding of two breeds fraught with inherited well being issues: the Bulldog and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.³ Though the NSPA admitted that there are numerous different breeds with inherent points, these two represented canine whose lives had been of a diminished high quality resulting from conformational problems like brachycephaly, neurological issues, coronary heart defects, spinal illness, and eye issues. Nonetheless, the banning of the Bulldog was disappointingly reversed on enchantment. Taking a good stronger stance in opposition to merciless breeding practices, the Netherlands is now well-known for its strict insurance policies. Not solely is it unlawful to personal or breed 12 brachycephalic or flat-faced dog breeds, however the usage of their photographs for promoting or social media promotion can be prohibited. Their breed-specific laws additionally extends to cats, with the Sphynx and Scottish Fold lately becoming a member of the Munchkin and Persian.

A lot of the controversy relating to the inclusion of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is prone to stem from the truth that not all international locations, and even kennel golf equipment, appear to tell apart between the Cavalier King Charles and the King Charles Spaniel, and many individuals aren’t conscious that there are two distinct breeds. In actual fact, the excellence was solely made official in 1945⁴. The previous is taken into account to be the bigger, extra strong of the 2, with a extra pronounced muzzle and fewer rounded head, whereas the King Charles Spaniel bears lots of the offending options, together with a distinctly shortened muzzle, domed cranium, and protuberant eyes. Nonetheless, each breeds seem on the RFGS checklist.

It’s hoped that via the implementation of extra stringent breeding rules geared toward guaranteeing the continued well being of those much-loved canine breeds, the RFGS and applications prefer it might be able to carry these canine again to a more healthy type with out the necessity to eradicate them fully. We have to look past the options we see as cute, endearing, or distinctive, and begin to give attention to how we will protect the integrity of those canine while permitting them to steer full, energetic, and wholesome lives.

Did You Know?