UK introduces voluntary health assessment for flat-faced dog breeds

Breeders welcome initiative from all-party parliamentary group on animal welfare, but question its usefulness

With their huge eyes, large heads and tiny snub noses, the public perception of flat-faced dogs as “cute” and “infant-like” has driven demand over recent years.

Film, TV and the greetings card industries have long capitalised on this anthropomorphism, attracting criticism from animal welfare campaigners who highlight the painful health disorders experienced by the extreme conformation of short-muzzled or brachycephalic breeds such as the English bulldog, French bulldog and pug.