By the Legal Advisory Group on Extreme Conformation in Dogs (LAGECDogs)

In early 2025, Denmark implemented a new law establishing minimum standards for dog breeding.[1] Under this law, no dog, whether purebred or mixed, may be used for breeding if the dog carries hereditary characteristics that could compromise the health or welfare of the offspring. According to s.15 of the Executive Order on minimum animal welfare requirements for keeping dogs, ‘A dog may not be used for breeding if it can reasonably be expected that the dog’s health condition or anatomical, physiological or behavioural characteristics risk having a negative effect on the welfare and health of the mother animal or the offspring.’ 

These prohibited characteristics  include physical traits linked to breathing problems, painful genetic disorders, or other serious inherited conditions, and requires owners to undertake detailed assessment of the dogs’ fitness to breed in advance of any breeding. For example, anyone who owns a male or female English Bulldog, French Bulldog or Pug and wishes to breed from them is required by s. 18 to ensure that the dog undergoes a breathing test for brachycephalic obstructive airways disorder (BOAS). In accordance with Appendix 1, section 1, only the least affected dogs may be bred from (i.e. those scoring 0 or 1, on a scale of 0-3). Section 18(2) extends this requirement to dogs of a crossbreed that includes one of the breeds mentioned above. 

The law also prohibits the mating of dogs ‘that are related to each other as parent animals and offspring, siblings, half-siblings, or as grandparents and their grandchildren.’

Importantly, the law applies not only to commercial breeders but to anyone breeding dogs, regardless of the number of breeding animals or litters, reflecting Denmark’s comprehensive approach.

This demonstrates a definitive effort toward ending breeding practices that prioritise appearance over animal health. By setting clearer standards, Denmark paves the way for other Member States to follow.

References

[1]  Executive Order on minimum animal welfare requirements for keeping dogs, BEK no. 607 of 26/05/2025.

About LAGECDogs

The Legal Advisory Group on Extreme Conformation in Dogs (LAGECDogs) is a multi-disciplinary research group affiliated with A-LAW that is dedicated to ensuring the law can effectively address conformation-related issues in dogs. Our primary focus is on dogs with brachycephalic conformation, but our work covers all dogs who might suffer due to their conformation.