My View: Brachycephalic Animals

Brachycephalic, or flat-faced, animals have become more popular pets in recent years. Their flatter features can cause many health concerns, including breathing difficulties, spinal problems, skin conditions and dental and eye issues.

I strongly support our Government’s work to improve animal welfare. I also appreciate the crucial role the RSPCA plays in helping shape our society’s attitudes towards animals and their welfare.

Our Government works closely with the UK Brachycephalic Working Group, which brings together a range of experts, including dog welfare organisations, vets, and researchers. It is working towards a world where no dog experiences health-related welfare problems as a result of selective breeding. It also supports the Pet Advertising Advisory Group, whose work helps online sales platforms to identify and remove illegal and unethical adverts, as part of the clamp down on unscrupulous traders who prioritise profit over welfare.

Both licensed and unlicensed animal breeders are required to protect animals from harm and to provide for their welfare in line with good practice under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 prohibits licensed breeders from breeding dogs if it can be reasonably expected that, on the basis of their genotype, phenotype or health, this would lead to welfare problems for the mother or the puppies. This applies in the case of brachycephalic breeds.

In 2024, the independent Animal Welfare Committee examined breeding practices and welfare implications for cats and dogs. I am aware the committee noted the many health problems associated with brachycephaly, and I welcome Ministers giving the findings their full consideration. They are also considering the findings of a review of the 2018 Animal Welfare Regulations to study its effectiveness.

As you may know, the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Act, which I supported, recently became law. It gives Ministers the power to ban the import of puppies and kittens under six months, and mutilated or heavily pregnant dogs and cats.

I also welcome our Government’s new Animal Welfare Strategy, published late last year, which is an important step in delivering the biggest boost to animal welfare in a generation. As part of this, Ministers have committed to launch a consultation on dog breeding reform in the near future, which I’m really looking forward to the publication of.