Major Shake-Up at World's Largest Dog Show
The world's largest dog show, Crufts, has announced it will ban certain flat-faced designer pugs and other brachycephalic breeds that cannot breathe properly from competing. The Kennel Club, which runs the prestigious event, will now require three specific breeds to undergo a rigorous respiratory function grading (RFG) assessment. Any animal receiving a grade two or three in this assessment will be excluded from the competition.
New Health Rules Spark Owner Fury
The updated criteria, which will come into force for Crufts 2026, have caused significant anger among some dog owners. They argue that the new rules unfairly target pugs and other flat-faced dogs while overlooking common health conditions prevalent in many other breeds.
Official guidance from the Kennel Club states: 'The Kennel Club has announced an update to the respiratory function grading scheme entry criteria for Crufts 2026, as part of its commitment to monitoring and improving brachycephalic dog health.' The key change is that from 2026 onwards, all bulldogs, French bulldogs, and pugs with a grade two or grade three RFG Scheme assessment will be ineligible to attend Crufts. Previously, this exclusion applied only to grade three dogs.
The assessment itself, developed in partnership with the University of Cambridge, will examine the breeds for brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) - a serious respiratory disorder directly linked to their flat facial structure. The process involves observing dogs both before and after exercise, then grading them on a scale from zero, indicating no signs of the condition, to three, the most severe. A submission of these assessments will be a mandatory condition of entry for the affected breeds.
Dog Owners Voice Their Concerns
The decision has been met with strong criticism from owners of the targeted breeds. Sue Smith, a pug owner, labelled the move as 'unfair', suggesting it was 'just because of the way they look'.
Angela Taylor, from Staffordshire, who owns four pugs, contended that the breed is no more prone to health issues than others. She told The Telegraph: 'There are many breeds of dogs that are. West Highland white terriers usually get skin conditions, Cavalier King Charles spaniels are prone to heart conditions and breathing health issues.'
Ms Taylor went on to list several other examples, including Labradors with hip and elbow dysplasia, Great Danes with bone cancer, dachshunds with spinal issues, and border collies with behaviour issues. She expressed concern that singling out pugs and French bulldogs sets a dangerous precedent, pointing out that all dogs attending shows are already required to be fit and healthy. 'If you're going to ban certain breeds, then where does it stop?' she questioned.
Crufts 2026 is scheduled to take place from March 5 to 8 at the NEC in Birmingham. This policy shift follows recent revelations that breeds with extreme flat faces, bulging eyes, and wrinkly skin could disappear over the next decade under broader plans to eradicate such traits. A separate voluntary health assessment scheme launched this week also scores dogs across ten physical traits, with only those ranking eight or above being permitted for licensed breeding.
