British Bulldogs banned in Norway as court slams 'cruel' selective breeding

British Bulldogs and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have been banned in Norway in a landmark ruling against 'cruel' selective breeding.

Oslo District Court ruled that reproducing the two breeds breaches the Animal Welfare Act in Norway.

The court ruled that the practice leads to man-made health issues for the animals after lawyers argued it was no longer possible to maintain the health of the breeds.

In 2018, Animal Protection Norway sued the Norwegian Kennel Club (NKK), the Norwegian Cavalier Club, the Norwegian Bulldog Club and six breeders of English Bulldogs and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, reports the Express.

In 2021, the Norwegian government voted to change the Animal Welfare Act which would say that the NKK, breeder groups and private breeders were responsible for breeding healthy animals.

A court ruled that the practice leads to man-made health issues for the two dog breeds (Getty Images)

Animal rights groups and their representatives argued that none of the animals in Norway could be considered healthy due to the history of selective breeding in the country.

This meant that no animal could be used ethically for breeding purposes, they argued.

Animal Protection Norway's CEO Åshild Roaldset called it a "victory for our dogs and for us".

She said: "It is a historic verdict that attracts international attention.

"The man-made health problems of the Bulldog have been known since the early 20th century. But dogs have the right to be bred healthy."

The breeding of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels has also been banned in Norway (Getty Images)

Flat-faced dogs have rocketed in popularity in recent years with a 2,747 per cent increase in ownership in the UK of French Bulldogs alone since 2004, according to figures from Kennel Club.

Meanwhile 58 per cent of short nosed dog owners could not recognise signs that their pet was having breathing difficulties, according to a study by the Royal Veterinary College in 2021.

Due to their short snouts and flatter wide skulls, English Bulldogs are prone to a condition known as Brachycephalic Airway Obstruction Syndrome and can suffer skin problems, inverted eyelashes, kneecap dislocation and kidney stone disease.

The landmark ruling was made at Oslo District Court (Getty Images)

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are susceptible to heart defects, eye disease, joint problems and chronic headaches or syringomyelia.

The new ruling added that breeders who work towards closing the door on the animals' health problems can continue, bringing some hope for lovers of the two breeds in Norway.

It reads: "A conviction does not imply a ban on serious breeding of Bulldog or Cavalier, as serious and scientifically based cross-breeding could be a good alternative."