Denmark and the Netherlands take action against extreme breeding practices
Member states across Europe have begun to crack down on the harmful practices of extreme breeding.
Over the past month, both Denmark and the Netherlands have taken significant steps to curb the breeding of animals with extreme physical traits that cause lifelong suffering to our pets.
In Denmark, a new law will come into force in July 2025 that prohibits the breeding of dogs with known hereditary diseases and malformations leading to serious animal welfare problems, and introduces strict regulations on inbreeding, age limits for breeding dogs, and health screening requirements for breeds such as Bulldogs, Dachshunds, and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. These regulations apply to both private and commercial breeders.
Dyrenes Beskyttelse, the Danish member organisation of Eurogroup for Animals, which has been working on this issue for years, praised this step forward but emphasised that it must be extended to all animal species.
It is positive that politicians are now prioritising the health of dogs and have taken this important step to ensure their welfare. However, it is difficult to understand why cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, and other pets should not equally be protected from unhealthy breeding practices. Jens Jokumsen, Dyrenes Beskyttelse.
In the Netherlands, a court has ruled that the body responsible for issuing dog pedigree certificates (Raad van Beheer) may no longer issue pedigree certificates for 25 dog breeds with extreme brachycephaly – that is, very short muzzles. The court ruled that this would mislead consumers into believing they are purchasing healthy dogs, when in reality such short muzzles cause respiratory problems, eye diseases, and spinal issues. This ruling follows a legal action brought by Eurogroup for Animals member organisation Dier & Recht.
This piece of paper falsely gives buyers the impression that they are purchasing a healthy dog. In this way, the Raad van Beheer actively contributes to illegal breeding and the severe suffering of thousands of pedigree dogs every year. Thanks to this ruling, pedigree dogs will once again have a healthy snout and will soon be able to breathe freely. Kelly Kessen, Dier & Recht
The suffering caused by breeding dogs and cats with exaggerated traits — such as flat faces, protruding eyes, or twisted limbs — is preventable. These animals often suffer from pain, experience breathing difficulties, or develop serious health problems that affect their quality of life from birth.
While national initiatives are encouraging, the Eurogroup for Animals calls for a harmonised EU approach that ensures cross-border consistency in order to end suffering for aesthetic reasons. This should include a ban on breeding animals with extreme conformation traits where body shape, structure, or appearance poses a risk to health and welfare or causes suffering, a ban on participation in shows, competitions, or similar public events, and a ban on marketing.
