New Health Assessment System Set to Revolutionize Standards for Pug and Bulldog Breeding

Significant shifts are on the horizon for the world of canine breeding, specifically impacting brachycephalic breeds such as Pugs, French Bulldogs, and English Bulldogs. For decades, the exterior appearance of these animals has been shaped by a relentless pursuit of extreme, ornamental features. However, this focus has led to a dangerous accumulation of serious hereditary diseases, now threatening the very existence of these breeds. Veterinarians, including Natalia Shirokaya from Podolsk, highlighted this concerning trend in materials published by the REGIONS outlet in late 2025. She emphasized the detrimental consequences of prioritizing aesthetics over the physiological well-being of the animals.

Veterinary associations and experts in Britain have long voiced their apprehension regarding breeding practices that chase a 'cute' look, noting that this pursuit invariably compromises the animals' physical condition. The core issue stems from specific anatomical traits that owners often perceive as endearing characteristics but which actually cause chronic discomfort and profound suffering. As Dr. Shirokaya explained, the shortened muzzle, excessive skin folds, and prominent eyes lead directly to persistent issues with respiration, vision, and recurring skin infections.

The most pressing concern is Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS). This condition results in a perpetual state of oxygen deprivation, which is severely exacerbated by physical exertion or elevated temperatures. Furthermore, the unnatural skeletal structure inherent in these breeds significantly increases the risk of musculoskeletal pathologies, thereby reducing the overall quality and lifespan of these beloved pets. It is often the case that these brachycephalic dogs cannot lead a fulfilling, active life without continuous medical intervention, frequently involving costly corrective breathing surgeries.

In response to this escalating crisis, international cynological organizations are moving to implement a novel framework called the Innate Health Assessment (IHA). This objective tool evaluates a dog based on ten specific anatomical markers linked to disease risk. The critical markers slated for evaluation include the merle coat color, excessive skin wrinkling, the degree of muzzle shortening, protruding eyes, as well as bite malocclusions, crooked or shortened limbs, and spinal rigidity.

The new IHA system establishes rigorous prerequisites for participation in breeding programs, fundamentally shifting the emphasis from decorative appeal to functional health. Under the IHA's baseline requirements, a dog must secure a minimum score of eight out of ten possible points to qualify for mating. Program initiators stress that this is not an outright ban on the breeds, but rather a necessary recalibration of standards designed to eliminate pathological extremes. Over the next five years, the passing threshold will be progressively raised to nine points. By the end of the decade, the absolute minimum requirement for any breeding animal will be a perfect score of ten points. This phased approach ensures that animals exhibiting extreme, health-compromising phenotypes will gradually be phased out of official breeding registries, inevitably leading to a transformation in the outward appearance of these breeds.

The introduction of the IHA represents a concerted effort to standardize evaluation methods, ensuring that future generations of Pugs and Bulldogs are anatomically sound specimens capable of enjoying a full and active existence.