New laws ‘could ban 67 dog breeds’ in Britain

An animal rights group has claimed that 67 dog breeds “could be banned” in the UK. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) first reported in March that breeds including beagle, bulldog and dachshund might be “phased out” as a result of “potential” legislation. An influential group of MPs dismissed the claim.

Guidelines developed by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare (APGAW) include 10 checks to determine if a dog is healthy or not. Under the guidance, a dog needs to pass eight or more “tests”, which include having a flexible spine, a tail long enough to wag and no underbite or overbite. PETA said previously that the checklist is used by some councils to rule whether to grant a breeding licence.

The use of the Innate Health Assessment checklist is voluntary, but PETA said obligatory use of the IHA “would be an excellent first step towards ending cruel and exploitative dog breeding for good”.

PETA lists a number of issues affecting certain dogs that are selectively bred to look a certain way at the expense of their health.

The list includes French bulldogs with squashed faces that struggle to breathe, Welsh corgis with short legs that struggle to walk and Cavalier King Charles spaniels with brains bigger than their skulls.

While PETA reported that there were calls for the IHA to become law within five years, the APGAW insisted it will not be banning breeds, but seek to make them “sustainable and healthier”.

PETA’s list of dog breeds “that could be banned” was dismissed as misinformation by the group of MPs. The APGAW, writing in March, said 90% of the breeds from PETA’s list of 67 breeds would pass the checklist’s tests while the remainder “can be bred more moderately” to pass.

The APGAW said the IHA was designed with input from breeders and the Royal Kennel Club, insisting the checklist is “not anti-breeder”.

It said breeders who operate ethically and already breed correctly have nothing to worry about, adding: “The only breeder who needs to be worried are those perpetuating extreme conformations.”

The full list of breeds PETA says “might” be banned, which the APGAW strenuously denies, includes:

Affenpischer

American Cocker Spaniel

Australian Cattle Dog

Australian Shepherd

Basset

Basset Bleu

Basset Fauve

Beagle

Beauceron

Bergamasco

Bloodhound

Border Collie

Boston Terrier

Boxer

Bracco

Brittany

Brussels Griffon

Bullmastiff

Bulldog

Cairn Terrier

Cardigan Welsh Corgi

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Cesky Terrier

Chihuahua

Chow Chow

Clumber Spaniel

Dachshund

Dandie Terrier

Dogue de Bordeaux

French Bulldog

Glen of Imaal Terrier

Grand Basset

Great Dane

Japanese Chin

King Charles Spaniel

Lancashire Heeler

Lhasa Apso

Mastiff

Mudi

Neapolitan Mastiff

Newfoundland

Norfolk Terrier

Norwich Terrier

Old English Sheepdog

Pekingese

Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Petit Basset

Polish Lowland

Pug

Pyr Mastiff

Pyr Shep

Rough Collie

Schipperke

Scottish Terrier

Sealyham Terrie

Shar Pei

Shetland Sheepdog (Sheltie)

Shih Tzu

Skye Terrier

Smooth Collie

Spanish Water Dog

St Bernard

Staffordshire Terrier

Sussex Spaniel

Swedish Vallhund

Tibetan Mastiff

West Highland White Terrier