
12/06/2025
A landmark ruling!
πΎ A Historic Win for Dog Welfare in the Netherlands! π³π±πΆ
"Short-nosed pedigree dogs can finally breathe a sigh of relief."
On June 4, 2025, the Amsterdam District Court ruled that the Dutch kennel club, Raad van Beheer, must stop issuing pedigrees for 25 flat-faced dog breeds unless there is proof of legal, welfare-compliant breeding.
These breeds β including French Bulldogs, Pugs, Boxers, Shih Tzus, and more β are often bred with excessively short snouts, causing lifelong health issues like:
πΉ Breathing difficulties
πΉ Eye and dental diseases
πΉ Skin fold infections
πΉ Hernias and birthing complications
π£ βThat pedigree wrongly gives buyers the idea that they are buying a healthy dog,β said Dr. Kelly Kessen from Dier&Recht, the animal rights organization that filed the complaint.
From now on:
β Pedigrees can only be issued if both parent dogs meet minimum muzzle-length standards, confirmed by a vet.
β If they don't, no pedigree will be granted.
πΆ A fine of β¬2,500 per unlawful pedigree will be enforced.
This landmark ruling sets a new legal and ethical precedent and we hope it will inspire similar action across Europe to protect the health and welfare of dogs over harmful appearance-based breeding.
π Full verdict (PDF):https://www.dierenrecht.nl/sites/default/files/2025-06/vonnis.pdf
π’ Press release: https://www.dierenrecht.nl/persberichten/rechtbank-verbiedt-misleidende-stamboomhandel
π It's time to put health before looks β no dog should suffer for fashion.