Says Emily Wilson, FOUR PAWS UK Head of Campaigns:  

“FOUR PAWS UK welcomes seeing what appears to be a genetically healthier dog breed win Best in Show. However, it is still a concern to see that breeds that are notorious for poor health, such as French Bulldogs are being awarded first places in categories. While this dog may not show obvious visible defects, we cannot ignore the potential hidden struggles it may have faced to get here. With this breed, it is all too common for puppies to experience a series of veterinary visits in their first year of life to address breathing difficulties and skin issues. By promoting this breed, we risk encouraging the further breeding of animals with extreme physical traits that compromise their health and well-being.   

2025 was the first year in which new health-related entry requirements have been introduced, yet their focus has been solely on brachycephalic breeds and to make a positive contribution to dog welfare, Crufts must stop celebrating harmful breeds standards for all dogs. This means rigorous health checks, rejecting practices that promote aesthetics over health and advocating for responsible breeding that prioritise the long-term well-being of all dogs. Only then can it set a positive example for the future of dog care.”