Norway BANS breeding British bulldogs, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels

Norway BANS British bulldogs and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels: Court rules selective breeding is cruel and has resulted in ‘man-made health problems’ for the animals

  • Oslo District Court ruled breeding the two breeds beaches Animal Welfare Act
  • Landmark ruling effectively bans the two iconic breeds that have British origins
  • The case was taken to the court by Animal Protection Norway in 2018 
  • Lawyers argued that it was no longer possible to breed the dogs to be ‘healthy’

Norway has banned the selective breeding of British Bulldogs and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, after a court ruled that the practice is cruel and results in ‘man-made health problems’ for the animals.

Oslo District Court ruled on Monday that breeding the brachycephalic (flat faced) dogs breaches the Scandinavian country’s Animal Wellfare act.

The landmark ruling effectively bans the two iconic dog breeds that originate in Britain, with the British Bulldog being the national animal of the United Kingdom.

Oslo District Court has ruled that breeding the brachycephalic (flat faced) dogs breaches the Scandinavian country’s Animal Wellfare act. Pictured: A British Bulldog [stock image]

The case was taken to court by Animal Protection Norway in 2018, which sued the Norwegian Kennel Club (NKK), the Norwegian Cavalier Club, the Norwegian Bulldog Club and six breeders of English bulldog and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.

Since then – in July 2021 – The Norwegian Parliament voted to amend the wording of the breeding clause in Norway’s Animal Welfare act to say that the NKK, breeder groups and private breeders were responsibly for breeding healthy animals.

Lawyers representing the animal rights group successfully argued for the ban, saying that because of the history of selective breeding in the country, none of the animals currently living in Norway can be considered ‘healthy’. 

Therefore, none can be used ethically for breeding purposes, they argued.

Åshild Roaldset, who heads up the charity, said: ‘This is first and foremost a victory for our dogs,’ according to The Telegraph. 

‘It is a historic verdict that attracts 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 healthy,’ she said. 

Selective breeding can lead to a wide range of health problems for the dogs, with their owners sometimes not being aware that they are suffering. 

British Bulldogs suffer from ‘BOAS’, which stands for brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome, which is caused by their distinctive short skull and snout.

Under the ruling, the selective breeding of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (pictured, stock image) has also been banned due to health problems experienced by the animals

According to the group, this can lead to the dogs having difficulty breathing, making snoring sounds, wheezing, limited endurance and heat stroke.

The disease can worsen over time, too, with British Bulldogs often suffering from digestion issues, problems with their ears and eyes, pneumonia, birth problems, obesity and spinal issues.

As for Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, selective breathing has led to heart defects, problems with their eyes and joints, as well as headaches.

Åshild Roaldset (pictured), who heads up the chairty, said: ‘This is first and foremost a victory for our dogs’

According figures from The Kennel Club cited by The Blue Cross, popularity of flat-faced dogs has boomed in recent years, with the group recording a 2,747 percent increase in ownership in the UK of French Bulldogs alone since 2004.

However, a study by the Royal Veterinary College last year found that 58 percent of short-nosed dog owners were not able to recognise the signs that their brachycephalic was having trouble breathing. 

The Oslo court left some hope for lovers of British Bulldogs and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, ruling that breeders working to end the animal’s health problems could continue.

‘A conviction does not imply a ban on serious breeding of Bulldog or Cavalier, as serious and scientifically based cross-breeding could be a good alternative,’ the court said in its ruling.

According to Belfast Live, Tom Øystein Martinsen, chairman of the Norwegian Kennel Club said: ‘A breeding ban is still not a breed ban, and the consequences of this are great. Irresponsible players will be ready to take over the market producing dogs from breeding that are not subject to any form of control. 

‘Then the professional competence, health requirements and information about the health status and history of the breeding animals will disappear.

‘As the situation is today […] in principle all unregistered breeding can take place without any kind of follow-up and control.’

MailOnline has contacted the Norwegian Kennel Club, the Norwegian Cavalier Club and the Norwegian Bulldog Club for comment.

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