New government legislation in the UK proposes banning nearly 70 popular dog breeds by classifying them as unhealthy based on a new 10-point checklist of extreme physical traits. This checklist targets features such as excessive skin folds, bulging eyes, underbites or overbites, and short muzzles that impair breathing, which are linked to premature death and health issues. The voluntary assessment tool developed by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare (APPG) is expected to become law within five years, aiming to promote breeding of healthier dogs and eliminate harmful traits.

The legislation could lead to the extinction of many beloved breeds, including the Queen’s favorite, the Corgi, due to their short legs and associated health problems like spinal deformities and arthritis. While some breeders and breed organizations argue that certain breeds like Corgis are healthy and unfairly targeted, campaigners emphasize that the new criteria expand protections under the Animal Welfare Act by discouraging breeding of dogs with harmful conformations. Only dogs scoring eight out of ten or higher on the health checklist would be allowed for breeding, potentially reshaping the future of dog breeding in the UK.