Veterinarian Goes To TikTok To Explain The Deal With Norway Banning The Breeding Of English Bulldogs And Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
Interview
Every dog breed comes with its different appearances, different personalities and needs. They also have different health issues. For example, German shepherds often have problems with their hips, huskies may suffer from eye issues and many people know of the breathing problems bulldogs and pugs have.
Some health issues are more dangerous and more painful than others. Norway deemed that the suffering experienced by English bulldogs and Cavalier King Charles spaniels are too great and the country banned their breeding.
More info: TikTok
English bulldogs and Cavalier King Charles spaniels have such serious health issues that their breeding was banned in Norway
Image credits: cat_the_vet
Every country passes a lot of different laws every week so you can’t know about them all, especially when it affects only that one country. But a veterinarian on TikTok wanted to share the news she learnt about breeding in Norway.
She drew her viewers’ attention to the fact that Norway won’t allow breeding of English bulldogs and Cavalier King Charles spaniels anymore. The court ruled on January 31st that breeding of these dogs is cruel as their health issues are literally created by the hand of a human, which really lowers the quality of their lives.
Image credits: cat_the_vet
As the veterinarian on TikTok pointed out, many people are aware about the breathing problems of the English bulldog
Image credits: cat_the_vet
The case ended up in court because Animal Protection Norway sued the Norwegian Kennel Club, the Norwegian Cavalier Club, the Norwegian Bulldog Club and six breeders of English bulldogs and Cavalier King Charles spaniels in 2018 for breeding unhealthy animals.
The lawyers argued that the selective breeding was unethical as the result of it would definitely be an animal with severe health issues. Furthermore, this has continued since the beginning of the 20th century, so animal rights activists thought enough was enough and actually won the case.
Image credits: cat_the_vet
But the Cavalier King Charles spaniel came as a surprise for many
Image credits: cat_the_vet
As the veterinarian Cat The Vet pointed out, many people are already aware of the health issues English bulldogs have. They are a brachycephalic (flat-faced) dog and this feature is the main source of their breathing problems.
They have what is called brachycephalic airway obstructive syndrome, which means that they have difficulty breathing and they start panting with their tongues sticking out even during a light walk, which makes it harder for them to handle the heat.
Bored Panda chatted with Cat The Vet a bit and she pointed out even more breeds that have problems and shouldn’t be continued breeding the way they are now, “I think it is arguable that for most of our flat faced breeds, we really do need to consider how we are producing them at the moment and make some changes. Those with the most extreme features, like our pugs and french bulldogs definitely do suffer because they so commonly struggle to breathe. Another dog type that really needs to stop is the ‘Toad Bulldog’, these are bulldogs that have been inbred horribly to give them a short, squat body shape with tiny legs, long backs and heavy muscle build-up, not to mention they are also generally pretty flat faced. These features and body type leaves them horribly pre-disposed to painful joint issues and other problems.”
Turns out their skulls are too small for their brains so they experience a lot of pain and the probability of that happening is almost 100 percent
Image credits: cat_the_vet
Image credits: cat_the_vet
People were not as surprised to hear that the breeding of English bulldogs was banned in Norway. But they were confused about the Cavalier King Charles spaniel so Cat The Vet explained why they were also included in the ban.
Cavvies often have problems with their hearts, which are almost guaranteed for senior dogs. However, the bigger issue is another condition that causes a lot of pain for the dogs, called syringomyelia.
It was ruled that such animal suffering violates Norway’s Animal Welfare Act
Image credits: cat_the_vet
Syringomyelia is a condition when a fluid-filled cavity or cyst forms within the spinal cord. It forms because the brain of the Cavalier King Charles spaniel is too big for their skull so it gets squished and causes excruciating pain in certain areas.
They might become sensitive to touching or being picked up, it can be painful for them to jump or run, and they might excessively scratch with no apparent reason.
The new law was passed when Animal Protection Norway sued kennel clubs and breeders and won
Image credits: cat_the_vet
The veterinarian points out that often cats are forgotten in these kinds of conversations, “some breeds also really struggle because of the way we have made them look. In particular the Persians with their faces so flat some are more or less inverted, the Scottich Folds who have serious cartilage defects leading to painful arthritis all over their bodies and Munchkin cats with abnormally shortened legs.”
Image credits: cat_the_vet
Image credits: cat_the_vet
However, we should be glad that any kind of conversation on the well-being of our beloved pets is happening at all because basically these dogs are genetically designed to live life in pain and that violates Norway’s Animal Welfare Act, which the veterinarian refers to in the video. It says that breeding cannot be carried out if it affects “the animals’ physical or mental functions in a negative way, reduces the animals’ ability to practise natural behaviour, or causes general ethical reactions.”
The veterinarian agrees that the breeding of English bulldogs and Cavalier King Charles spaniels doesn’t match the requirements in this act and supports Norway’s decision.
Even though the breeders said they were trying to improve the breeds, their claims are questionable
Image credits: cat_the_vet
The kennel clubs and the breeders were disappointed with such a ruling and claimed that they were trying to breed healthier and stronger dogs, but now they are not allowed to do that. They also pointed out that owning such dogs is not prohibited, so they believe that people will still buy them in other countries and they might not be necessarily as healthy as the ones bred in Norway. They fear that this ban might lead to illegal puppy smuggling and clueless buyers buying dogs with even more issues.
Image credits: cat_the_vet
Cat The Vet thinks that breeders’ excuse of trying to improve the breed is nonsense as you can’t have a better result by breeding within the same breed as all of the animals have the gene for the issues.
The solution would be to try breeding them with dogs of other breeds, but kennel clubs aren’t fond of this idea as in their eyes, the English bulldogs and Cavalier King Charles spaniels would lose the purity of the breed.
It is known that the same breed lacks enough genetic diversity to have significant improvements without outcrossing
Image credits: cat_the_vet
Cat the Vet also sees some issues and believes that these kinds of laws, if not considered properly, might not have the desired effect, but she still is in support of them, “If they are not properly thought out, enforced and regulated, laws like this can have negative consequences, so if countries are going to pass them, they need to be well written and upheld. However, in this instance what is more important is the publicity it has generated and the precedence it has created. Many countries already have the ‘torture breeding’ laws under which this ruling was passed and they may now opt to use them to similar ends.”
She also adds, “Although, I would far rather see the breeders themselves step up and make changes on a wide scale. They are the ones who claim to love these dogs the most, I just need them to prove it now!”
The veterinarian is also hopeful that this law in Norway will become an example for other countries too
Image credits: cat_the_vet
Image credits: cat_the_vet
Below you can find the video explaining what problems are characteristic to the breeds
@cat_the_vet They aren’t the first, Holland did it last year & I hope they aren’t the last! #catthevet #learnontiktok #englishbulldog #cavalierkingcharlesspaniel ♬ You – Petit Biscuit
Hopefully, other countries will start caring about how tortured some animals feel and the veterinarian also believes that there will be change.
What do you think about Norway’s decision? Do you think other countries should follow their example or do you think this will not solve the problem? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
People in the comments were glad that these problems are being solved
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At least some breeders are for outcrossing and create an "old german pug" that are built lighter and have a propper nose. Edit: Just researched it again: Old German Pugs are pure bred but with success and they have heathy noses and eyes again. Retro Pugs are crossbread and look the same as the old germans.
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This is true of all hyper-bred breeds. Mongrels are the healthiest dogs. We know all too well what interbreeding does in humans, but we ignore what it does to dogs, just for our own amusement.
You have mixed up inbreeding (bad incest small gene pool) with interbreeding (good, crossing breeds, not related, big gene pool) but I totally agree and get your point.
Load More Replies...
My family is looking to get a dog and the only stipulation I’ve made is not to get a dog that requires intervention (medical or just regular help) to breathe, eat, drink, see, reproduce, walk or otherwise live a healthy life, and that crosses out way too many breeds. I’m so sad for what humans as a whole have done to this species.
Get a mut from the pound. The mixed breeds tend to be the healthiest + Rescue!
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To me, there are few greater ironies than claiming to love animals on one hand and supporting the breeding of animals where their suffering is almost certain on the other.
Pugs and Frenchies need to be on the list along with German Shepards. Pugs etc are easy to see the problems but the dreadful breeding of shepards gives them hip dysplasia and a dreadfully shaped spine. We had a working version of a German Shepard and his spine and hips were excellent. He was the best dog.
Yes, the modern German shepard should be on the list too. Old German Sheppards have a normal shaped spine and no hip dysplasia.
Load More Replies...
Get ready for the Daily Express, the Daily Mail and all the other racist Brexit toutting trash rags to start screaming that the "EU has banned British dogs!" :'D Personally, I think "pedigree" breeding of any animal is wrong. It's never done for the animals' benefit and always for human vanity.
I had a Cavvie (from a rescue) I was told she was pedigree by the rescue but you’re not allowed to see the documents because it might mean you could trace the original owner. She was so gorgeous and loving! She was15Kg when we adopted her. After a year she was 10kg, her ideal weight. She passed away last year aged 12. Still miss her so much. We’ve got a new little girl now who is also a rescue. She’s an English Setter and is completely bonkers (in a good way). I’d never, ever buy a dog from a breeder. I just don’t agree with people who consider roach backed German Shepherds, dachshunds with back problems and flat faced pugs to be healthy.
I've often thought dogs breeds should be reverse bred back to their original appearance from when they were a functional working dog. These dogs looked very different in 100 years ago and were not the inbred wrecks the kennel club fetishism has demanded.
Now if only we could get ear docking banned WORLDWIDE, that would be amazing.
I agree with your sentiment, but if we are thinking globally there are far bigger issues to tackle than a bit of ear cropping. Only around 10% of the world's dog population are pet dogs, the rest live in varying conditions of feral/semi-feral.
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I am always worried how much more dogs will be produced in foreign puppy mills when you ban breeding but not ownership and buying of new dogs. It would need a registry with day of birth and buy of every dog.
And yet, sadly, "purebred" dogs command high prices while healthy "mutts" are euthanized by the thousands. We adopted a rescue puppy many years ago and she was the sweetest smartest animal that I've ever met.
I am so glad to see at least one nation recognize the cruelty involved in these breeds... I wish the rest of the world would follow their lead. I could add many others to this list, "Rhodesian" ridgebacks, because they cull the healthy dogs, GSDs ... the list goes on. I blame a great deal of this on the AKC/RKC. They could stop a lot of breeding disasters if they would scrap the current breed standards and move to a standard that promotes good health in dogs, and not some exaggerated look designed to appeal to the vanity of humans.
Add Persian cats, Scottish Fold cats (and their variants), and Munchkin cats to this list. I shudder every time someone posts a comment on a Kittisaurus or Claire Luvcat video asking what breed LuLu is (Scottish Fold x Munchkin x British Shorthair). He is adorable and extraordinary, but must take medication and painkillers every day for the genetic ailments common to Scottish Folds and Munchkins. We're all grateful that Claire is a wonderful cat butler and takes such great care of him (and 9 other rescues).
I saw a documentary on the plight of cavaliers TWENTY YEARS AGO. They still suffer so terribly, because so many breeders really do not give a flying f*ck about the long term health of their dogs as long as they are pretty enough.
I know this breed has problems, but when they ruled in the favor of Dyrebeskyttelsen, they pretty much pushed every serious breeder out of the market. No organization, nor the government, will have any controll over the breed anymore. It doesn't take much to breed some pups and sell them off without papers. I'm worried we will see even sicker dogs of unknown origin in the years to come. We have a very healthy Cavalier, soon to be 12 years. She loves to swim, hiking, boating, driving and fishing. A little diva, but such a fine, quiet dog. I'd love to have one myself one day, but if they manage a healthy cross-breed with the same personality traits I don't see any reason not to get one.
All I can say is, good on you Norway, the rest of us need to follow up soon.
This is a start, all squased breeds should be subject. Look at how breeds were 100 years ago, the picture is online. The breeds I have owned look almost the way they did then.
About time. Let's do not forget cats too... That munchkin breed is absolutely criminal. All this breeds made just to human amusement - to look cute, small, or whatever - causes all sorts of suffering to the animals and have to be banned ASAP.
ADOPT THE WEIRD DOGGOS BEFORE BREEDING MORE!!! my puppy is a boxer-jack russel terrier- other things mix nd she has a good snoot because of the jack russel and a good head nad body cuz of the boxer in her so shes good :)
I have a english bulldog who is very healthy when I had him fixed I had his surgery done for the breathing problem that they have. My Casanova is very happy vary healthy he is a very loving caring and protective of his family. CASANOVA we go on long walks he loves to run around on the 5 acres property he rides a skate board. When he wants a bath he will let me know. English bulldogs are very intelligent even though they are stubborn and hard to train. English bulldogs aren't for everybody once they get thru their stubborn stage.
Thank goodness a country has finally stared to think along the lines of the welfare on the dogs and not the amounts of money breeding produces. There are so many more that need to be added, the poor Alsatians when the winner of Cruft can hardly walk with leaning on the "owner", poor Labradors (some anyway) have what I believe is similar problems to King Charles. We have along way to go.
I somewhat applaud this. Somewhat because it took Norway 10 years after that monster Brevik went on a rampage to ban automatic weapons. Priorities of the Nordic Countries are often one of "looking good and progressive" to the outside world
I am so happy and relieved that the time is coming when all torture breeding in all countries will be banned. The United States is woefully behind the times when it comes to animal cruelty laws and the banning not only of cruel breeding practices, but also the cruel breed "standards" that encourage owners and breeders to dock the tails and tape the ears of breeds such as the Doberman Pinscher and the German Shepard. I was shocked when I leart just how much the breeds with smooched up faces such as the pug and the French Bulldog suffer with breathing problems. I am an animal lover, but I was oblivious to the suffering of these breeds, I guess because I was too trusting that people wouldn't purposfully pursue breeding standards that were detrimental to their animals. I don't understand how or why people can justify the purchase of these breeds, only to watch them suffer life-long health problems that they, as the owners and purchasers of these breeds, are perpetuating.
Nature : Let the strongest survive Humans : Let the cutest survive
I disagree with a blanket ban on breeding dog breeds. Especially Cavaliers. Many are healthy and grow old into their teens. I feel this is a major government overstep.
At least some breeders are for outcrossing and create an "old german pug" that are built lighter and have a propper nose. Edit: Just researched it again: Old German Pugs are pure bred but with success and they have heathy noses and eyes again. Retro Pugs are crossbread and look the same as the old germans.
Load More Replies... This is true of all hyper-bred breeds. Mongrels are the healthiest dogs. We know all too well what interbreeding does in humans, but we ignore what it does to dogs, just for our own amusement.
You have mixed up inbreeding (bad incest small gene pool) with interbreeding (good, crossing breeds, not related, big gene pool) but I totally agree and get your point.
Load More Replies... My family is looking to get a dog and the only stipulation I’ve made is not to get a dog that requires intervention (medical or just regular help) to breathe, eat, drink, see, reproduce, walk or otherwise live a healthy life, and that crosses out way too many breeds. I’m so sad for what humans as a whole have done to this species.
Get a mut from the pound. The mixed breeds tend to be the healthiest + Rescue!
Load More Replies... To me, there are few greater ironies than claiming to love animals on one hand and supporting the breeding of animals where their suffering is almost certain on the other.
Pugs and Frenchies need to be on the list along with German Shepards. Pugs etc are easy to see the problems but the dreadful breeding of shepards gives them hip dysplasia and a dreadfully shaped spine. We had a working version of a German Shepard and his spine and hips were excellent. He was the best dog.
Yes, the modern German shepard should be on the list too. Old German Sheppards have a normal shaped spine and no hip dysplasia.
Load More Replies... Get ready for the Daily Express, the Daily Mail and all the other racist Brexit toutting trash rags to start screaming that the "EU has banned British dogs!" :'D Personally, I think "pedigree" breeding of any animal is wrong. It's never done for the animals' benefit and always for human vanity.
I had a Cavvie (from a rescue) I was told she was pedigree by the rescue but you’re not allowed to see the documents because it might mean you could trace the original owner. She was so gorgeous and loving! She was15Kg when we adopted her. After a year she was 10kg, her ideal weight. She passed away last year aged 12. Still miss her so much. We’ve got a new little girl now who is also a rescue. She’s an English Setter and is completely bonkers (in a good way). I’d never, ever buy a dog from a breeder. I just don’t agree with people who consider roach backed German Shepherds, dachshunds with back problems and flat faced pugs to be healthy.
I've often thought dogs breeds should be reverse bred back to their original appearance from when they were a functional working dog. These dogs looked very different in 100 years ago and were not the inbred wrecks the kennel club fetishism has demanded.
Now if only we could get ear docking banned WORLDWIDE, that would be amazing.
I agree with your sentiment, but if we are thinking globally there are far bigger issues to tackle than a bit of ear cropping. Only around 10% of the world's dog population are pet dogs, the rest live in varying conditions of feral/semi-feral.
Load More Replies... I am always worried how much more dogs will be produced in foreign puppy mills when you ban breeding but not ownership and buying of new dogs. It would need a registry with day of birth and buy of every dog.
And yet, sadly, "purebred" dogs command high prices while healthy "mutts" are euthanized by the thousands. We adopted a rescue puppy many years ago and she was the sweetest smartest animal that I've ever met.
I am so glad to see at least one nation recognize the cruelty involved in these breeds... I wish the rest of the world would follow their lead. I could add many others to this list, "Rhodesian" ridgebacks, because they cull the healthy dogs, GSDs ... the list goes on. I blame a great deal of this on the AKC/RKC. They could stop a lot of breeding disasters if they would scrap the current breed standards and move to a standard that promotes good health in dogs, and not some exaggerated look designed to appeal to the vanity of humans.
Add Persian cats, Scottish Fold cats (and their variants), and Munchkin cats to this list. I shudder every time someone posts a comment on a Kittisaurus or Claire Luvcat video asking what breed LuLu is (Scottish Fold x Munchkin x British Shorthair). He is adorable and extraordinary, but must take medication and painkillers every day for the genetic ailments common to Scottish Folds and Munchkins. We're all grateful that Claire is a wonderful cat butler and takes such great care of him (and 9 other rescues).
I saw a documentary on the plight of cavaliers TWENTY YEARS AGO. They still suffer so terribly, because so many breeders really do not give a flying f*ck about the long term health of their dogs as long as they are pretty enough.
I know this breed has problems, but when they ruled in the favor of Dyrebeskyttelsen, they pretty much pushed every serious breeder out of the market. No organization, nor the government, will have any controll over the breed anymore. It doesn't take much to breed some pups and sell them off without papers. I'm worried we will see even sicker dogs of unknown origin in the years to come. We have a very healthy Cavalier, soon to be 12 years. She loves to swim, hiking, boating, driving and fishing. A little diva, but such a fine, quiet dog. I'd love to have one myself one day, but if they manage a healthy cross-breed with the same personality traits I don't see any reason not to get one.
All I can say is, good on you Norway, the rest of us need to follow up soon.
This is a start, all squased breeds should be subject. Look at how breeds were 100 years ago, the picture is online. The breeds I have owned look almost the way they did then.
About time. Let's do not forget cats too... That munchkin breed is absolutely criminal. All this breeds made just to human amusement - to look cute, small, or whatever - causes all sorts of suffering to the animals and have to be banned ASAP.
ADOPT THE WEIRD DOGGOS BEFORE BREEDING MORE!!! my puppy is a boxer-jack russel terrier- other things mix nd she has a good snoot because of the jack russel and a good head nad body cuz of the boxer in her so shes good :)
I have a english bulldog who is very healthy when I had him fixed I had his surgery done for the breathing problem that they have. My Casanova is very happy vary healthy he is a very loving caring and protective of his family. CASANOVA we go on long walks he loves to run around on the 5 acres property he rides a skate board. When he wants a bath he will let me know. English bulldogs are very intelligent even though they are stubborn and hard to train. English bulldogs aren't for everybody once they get thru their stubborn stage.
Thank goodness a country has finally stared to think along the lines of the welfare on the dogs and not the amounts of money breeding produces. There are so many more that need to be added, the poor Alsatians when the winner of Cruft can hardly walk with leaning on the "owner", poor Labradors (some anyway) have what I believe is similar problems to King Charles. We have along way to go.
I somewhat applaud this. Somewhat because it took Norway 10 years after that monster Brevik went on a rampage to ban automatic weapons. Priorities of the Nordic Countries are often one of "looking good and progressive" to the outside world
I am so happy and relieved that the time is coming when all torture breeding in all countries will be banned. The United States is woefully behind the times when it comes to animal cruelty laws and the banning not only of cruel breeding practices, but also the cruel breed "standards" that encourage owners and breeders to dock the tails and tape the ears of breeds such as the Doberman Pinscher and the German Shepard. I was shocked when I leart just how much the breeds with smooched up faces such as the pug and the French Bulldog suffer with breathing problems. I am an animal lover, but I was oblivious to the suffering of these breeds, I guess because I was too trusting that people wouldn't purposfully pursue breeding standards that were detrimental to their animals. I don't understand how or why people can justify the purchase of these breeds, only to watch them suffer life-long health problems that they, as the owners and purchasers of these breeds, are perpetuating.
Nature : Let the strongest survive Humans : Let the cutest survive
I disagree with a blanket ban on breeding dog breeds. Especially Cavaliers. Many are healthy and grow old into their teens. I feel this is a major government overstep.
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