British Bulldogs and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have been banned in Norway in a landmark case against “cruel” selective breeding, with a court ruling that reproducing the two breeds violated animal welfare legislation
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British Bulldogs and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have been banned in Norway in a landmark ruling against “cruel” selective breeding.
The Oslo District Court ruled that the reproduction of the two breeds violated the Animal Welfare Act in Norway.
The court ruled the practice resulted in man-made health problems for the animals after lawyers argued it was no longer possible to preserve the breeds’ health.
In 2018, Animal Protection Norway sued the Norwegian Kennel Club (NKK), the Norwegian Cavalier Club, the Norwegian Bulldog Club and six English Bulldog and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breeders, the reports to express.
In 2021, the Norwegian government voted to amend the Animal Welfare Act, stating that the NKK, breeder groups and private breeders are responsible for breeding healthy animals.
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Animal rights groups and their representatives argued that none of the animals in Norway could be considered healthy because of the country’s history of selective breeding.
This means that no animal can be ethically used for breeding purposes, they argued.
Åshild Roaldset, CEO of Animal Protection Norway, called it a “victory for our dogs and for us”.
She said: “It is a historic verdict that is attracting international attention.
“The man-made health problems of the bulldog have been known since the early 20th century. But dogs have the right to be bred to be healthy.”
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Flat-faced dogs have risen in popularity in recent years, with French bulldog ownership increasing by 2,747 per cent in the UK alone since 2004, according to Kennel Club figures.
According to a 2021 study by the Royal Veterinary College, 58 percent of short-nosed dog owners failed to spot any signs that their pet was having trouble breathing.
Because of their short snouts and flatter, broad skulls, English Bulldogs are prone to a condition known as Brachycephalic Airway Obstruction Syndrome and can suffer from skin problems, inverted eyelashes, dislocated kneecaps and kidney stone disease.
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Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are prone to heart defects, eye diseases, joint problems, and chronic headaches or syringomyelia.
The new ruling added that breeders working towards closing the door on animal health issues can move on, giving hope to lovers of the two breeds in Norway.
It states: “A conviction does not imply a ban on serious breeding of the Bulldog or Cavalier, as serious and scientifically based crossbreeds could be a good alternative.”
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