Dog owners can rest assured that popular breeds such as French bulldogs, corgis, and chihuahuas are not facing a ban under upcoming regulations. Local authorities are introducing a new evaluation method to ensure breeders do not sell puppies with severe hereditary health issues.
While some campaign groups believe this voluntary strategy could become mandatory in 2031, professionals emphasize that the guidance is designed to improve animal welfare rather than eliminate specific types of pets. The focus remains on discouraging the breeding of animals with extreme physical traits that cause suffering, such as flat faces and abnormally short legs.
Politicians are currently discussing potential legal frameworks to enhance the protection of domestic animals nationwide. However, representatives from certain organizations believe these criteria could eventually affect well-known varieties like bassets, beagles, and bloodhounds.
New Health Assessment
The specific check involves a 10-point system designed to assess a dog's physical soundness. A spokesman for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) said: "If the Innate Health Assessment is passed into law, it will mean that no licences will be issued to breeders planning to breed dogs who do not pass it. In other words, no licensed breeders will be able to sell these dogs. The ban will not make existing dogs illegal. Guardians will still be able to adopt these dogs from shelters and give them the love, care, and attention they deserve."
The organization hopes the framework will mark a significant shift away from traditional commercial breeding practices. They added: "PETA supports a ban on all breeding of dogs, including breed-specific laws. Obligatory use of the Innate Health Assessment would be an excellent first step towards ending cruel and exploitative dog breeding for good."
Industry Responses
However, Marisa Heath, director of the All-party Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare (APGAW), countered: "The suggestion that the Innate Health Assessment [IHA] could lead to beloved breeds such as corgis becoming 'banned' is misleading and irresponsible. The IHA is a voluntary welfare tool designed to encourage breeding from dogs with healthy conformations. It does not target particular breeds and is not intended to make any breed extinct - quite the opposite, as it is about making those breeds healthier and sustainable by moving them towards good innate health. Indeed, many breeds cited as at risk - including corgis and dachshunds - have already passed the assessment in practice."
Some authorities have already adopted the voluntary framework to monitor local commercial kennels. Steve Howard, chief veterinary advisor at PDSA, said: "We believe that it is simply not the case that 67 breeds of dog will be banned. The purpose of the assessment is to reduce the more extreme features, which cause recognised welfare issues such as pain, discomfort and an inability to lead a normal life. Extreme conformation in dogs can significantly shorten their lives or lead to a lifetime of veterinary treatment, which is distressing for both the dogs affected and their owners."
At PDSA, our teams treat hundreds of pets every day who have extreme conformation, and numbers are rising. In 2012, PDSA had just 335 French Bulldogs (a breed with extreme conformation) registered; in 2025, that number was over 33,000, which is an increase of 9,781% in real terms. "Many of these dogs are suffering with a number of significant health conditions as a result of poor breeding, and it is time to make a positive change. We, therefore, welcome positive steps to tackle this by encouraging more responsible breeding through use of the IHA tool to identify individual dogs who have extreme conformation and not breeding from them, it will be possible to improve the body shape of dogs for the following generations."
Breeds Listed by Campaigners
Campaigners published a 'full list' of dogs they say could be banned in the UK, including: Affenpinscher, 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, Bull Mastiff, 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 Terrier, Shar Pei, Shetland Sheepdog (Sheltie), Shih Tzu, Skye Terrier, Smooth Collie, Spanish Water Dog, St Bernard, Staffordshire Terrier, Sussex Spaniel, Swedish Vallhund, Tibetan Mastiff, and West Highland White Terrier.
