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The Swedish Kennel Club (SKK / Svenska Kennelklubben) has recently revised its Bulldog breed standard, shifting the breed's description towards a type more aligned with the Continental Bulldog, a breed recognised by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) The Continental Bulldog has a longer muzzle, less exaggeration, and a more athletic frame.
While this change has no real impact on British-bred Bulldogs, as The Kennel Club breed standard remains the reference point for UK show breeders, it once again reignites the tired argument that all Bulldogs are inherently unhealthy. While likely well-intentioned, this change misses the real issue—a breed standard only governs those who choose to follow it, yet most Bulldogs are bred by those who do not. 
The Swiss KC suggestion of the Ideal Bulldog □
Show Breeders vs. The Wider Breeding Population
Only a tiny percentage of Bulldog breeders are show breeders. The reality is that most Bulldogs are bred by novice or casual breeders who are not bound by any breed standard—let alone health testing requirements.
Show breeders have been proactively addressing health concerns for decades. They voluntarily participate in health testing schemes, and more recently, BOAS (Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome) grading has become mandatory for Bulldogs entered at Crufts. These breeders work within the existing UK breed standard, which has been continuously revised to remove exaggerations without fundamentally changing the breed itself. The real concern is that the pet-bred Bulldog population continues to be bred for extreme wrinkles and exaggerated features, often because novice breeders lack education on the consequences of these traits. Since they do not show their dogs, they have no incentive to follow the breed standard or participate in health testing. As a result, the most exaggerated Bulldogs are often bred outside of the influence of show breeders, meaning that even if The Kennel Club adopted a revised standard, it wouldn't impact the majority of Bulldogs being bred today. The Activist Narrative & Its Misguided Approach
The real problem lies with unregistered breeders who operate outside breed clubs without knowledge and care for health and welfare. Until health testing becomes a requirement for all breeding Bulldogs—not just those shown in the ring—these changes in breed standards will remain a cosmetic adjustment that does nothing to safeguard the breed's future.
What Needs to Happen Next?
If we genuinely want to improve the future of Bulldogs, we need to:
Final Thoughts
This revision by the The Swedish Kennel Club (SKK / Svenska Kennelklubben) might make headlines, but it won't make a real difference to the overall health of Bulldogs. The problem has never been with responsible show breeders—it has always been with those who breed without knowledge, ethics, or health testing.
A better approach would be to focus on education, health testing, and enforcing responsible breeding practices across all breeders, not just those in the show world. Anything else is just a distraction from the real issue. Today marks the start of Crufts 2025, the world’s most prestigious dog show. Over the next four days, thousands of top-quality dogs will compete across various disciplines, from conformation to agility and obedience, all vying for glory on the famous green carpet.
While we won’t be in the ring this year--puppies take priority at LaRoyal—we’ll be cheering on the Bulldog exhibitors competing this Friday. Wishing everyone the best of luck and a fantastic day showcasing our wonderful breed! Crufts Qualification – A Coveted Canine Milestone
LaRoyal Bulldogs – Gearing Up for Crufts 2026!While we’re missing out this year, we’re already setting our sights on Crufts 2026! Our rising star Pearl secured her qualification at her very first show of the year, and we’re excited to see King make his ring debut soon.
A huge well done to our qualifiers for 2025: 🏅 Phoebe, expertly handled by Tracy Williams, qualified in May. 🏅 Pearl, guided to success by Natasha Burgess in October, while I was judging in Italy. 🏅 Rita & Gigi, who qualified together in September.
For now, we’ll be watching from afar, celebrating our fellow exhibitors’ successes. Good luck to everyone competing—enjoy every moment of Crufts! Hopefully you can catch the Bulldog Best of Breed Winner on Channel 4 from 7.30pm on Friday!
TV Schedule
Good news for LaRoyal Bulldogs - Rita and Gigi are now officially Bulldog Breed Council Bronze certificated! This achievement isn’t just a proud milestone for us; it’s an essential step in ensuring we continue to breed healthy, happy Bulldogs.
The Bulldog Breed Council Health Scheme is an essential initiative to improve the health and well-being of Bulldogs. It provides structured assessments that help responsible dog owners make informed breeding decisions, ensuring that only the healthiest dogs contribute to future generations. What Does Bronze Certification Mean
The Bronze level of the Bulldog Breed Council Health Scheme involves an assessment of key physical traits and overall well-being. Bulldogs undergoing this examination are checked for a range of breed-specific health concerns, including:
Why Health Testing Matters in Bulldogs
The Bulldog is a beloved breed known for its affectionate nature and iconic appearance, but like all breeds, Bulldogs have specific health challenges. Many of these are preventable with responsible breeding practices, thorough health screening, and selective breeding choices.
Health Testing Helps Us: ✅ Identify Healthy Breeding Candidates – Only dogs that meet the highest standards should be bred to ensure healthier litters. ✅ Prevent Inherited Conditions – Careful selection reduces the risk of passing on issues like BOAS (Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome), hip dysplasia, or skin disorders. ✅ Improve Longevity & Quality of Life – Healthy Bulldogs live longer, happier lives and thrive with their families. ✅ Educate Future Owners – Encouraging new owners to choose puppies from health-tested parents ensures they start their journey with a well-bred, sound Bulldog. What’s Next?
While achieving the Bronze certificate is a fantastic foundation, it’s only one part of responsible breeding. At LaRoyal Bulldogs, we always BOAS test and DNA test every breeding dog, ensuring a full-picture approach to health that complements their physical certification.
BOAS Testing – A Must for Every Breeding Bulldog
One of the biggest concerns in Bulldogs is Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS), a condition that can affect their breathing. Just because a Bulldog looks fit and healthy doesn’t always mean they are free from airway compromise. BOAS testing provides an objective measure of respiratory function, helping breeders make informed decisions that reduce the risk of passing on breathing difficulties.
We will never breed from a dog without BOAS testing, ensuring that every Bulldog in our program has good respiratory function. This is crucial for producing puppies that can breathe, exercise, and enjoy life fully. DNA Testing – Preventing Inherited Disease
Alongside structural and respiratory health, DNA testing is essential to screen for inherited conditions. This allows us to make informed breeding choices, ensuring we avoid doubling on harmful recessive genes that could lead to health problems.
By testing for conditions such as HUU (Hyperuricosuria), Cystinuria, and other genetic disorders, we add another layer of protection for future generations of Bulldogs. A Message for Puppy Buyers: Always Check for Multi-Generational Health CertificationIt’s not enough for only the parents of a litter to be health tested—puppy buyers should be looking for proof that grandparents and even great-grandparents have been certified, too. This demonstrates a breeder’s long-term commitment to health and helps ensure that problems aren’t just hidden for one generation but are being systematically reduced in the breed.
Before Buying a Bulldog Puppy, Ask for: 🚩 Bulldog Breed Council Health Scheme Certificates 🚩 BOAS Testing Results – To ensure both parents have good airway function. 🚩 DNA Health Testing Reports – Screening for inherited conditions. 🚩 A Proven History of Healthy Ancestors – Parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents should have health certifications. A responsible breeder will be happy to provide all this information because breeding healthy, happy Bulldogs isn’t just about one generation—it’s about improving the breed for the future. Final Thoughts: A Step Towards a Healthier Bulldog Futur
Earning the Bronze Bulldog Breed Council Health Certificate for Rita and Gigi is just one step in our journey. We are committed to pushing even further--with BOAS testing, DNA testing, and higher-level health certifications—to ensure the Bulldogs we breed are as healthy and happy as possible. If you want to bring a Bulldog into your life, ask the right questions and only buy from multi-generational health-tested lines. You can learn more about the Bulldog Breed Council Health Scheme here. At LaRoyal Bulldogs, we believe that a well-bred Bulldog should not just look the part—it should be fit, healthy, and able to live a full, active life. Here’s to a future of stronger, healthier Bulldogs. 
When I first discovered the convenience of a local private dog field, it felt like the perfect solution. In theory, it seemed like a win-win for my dogs and me. No worries about off-leash encounters, no car fumes, and a chance for the dogs to burn off energy without interruptions.
Yet, after some time, I realised this setup wasn’t quite as idyllic as I initially thought. The Positives of Private Dog FieldPrivate dog fields certainly have their benefits:
📌 A Safe Space for Reactive Dogs: For owners managing reactive dogs or those still learning recall, an enclosed field offers invaluable peace of mind. 📌 Freedom from Pollution: Roadside pollution isn’t just harmful to humans—it can impact dogs too. Avoiding heavy traffic areas helps protect their respiratory health and overall well-being. 📌 Room to Run: These fields allow dogs to stretch their legs and run freely in a secure environment, ideal for high-energy breeds or younger dogs. But, as with anything, there’s a flip side. Why I’m Moving Away from the Field
Over time, I began noticing some recurring issues that outweighed the positives:
1. Lame Dogs and Overexertion Uncontrolled exercise can be a double-edged sword, especially for breeds with specific joint considerations or puppies with developing bones. My Bulldogs love to run, but the field’s permanent agility equipment encouraged activities unsuitable for every dog. After a few limping puppies and several vet visits, I realised that controlled exercise was far better for their long-term health.
3. My Own Fitness
Surprisingly, standing still while my dogs zoomed around wasn’t helping me stay active. Unlike road walks, where I move alongside them, I wasn’t meeting my daily fitness goals. Walking my dogs on the road ensures I stay active too, giving both the dogs and myself structured, beneficial exercise. The Benefits of Returning to Road WalksSwitching back to road walks has brought several improvements for both me and my Bulldogs:
✅ Controlled Exercise: While the dogs don’t get to sprint wildly, they still release energy through structured movement. A Flexi lead allows them short bursts of freedom on wide verges, but the exercise remains measured and safer. ✅ Healthier Joints: No more limping puppies! Flat, predictable surfaces are far better for developing joints, particularly for Bulldogs, where joint health is always a priority. ✅ Natural Nail Maintenance: Pavement walking naturally wears down their nails, saving me from frequent trimming sessions—a win for both me and the dogs! ✅ Mental Stimulation: Road walks provide varied sights, sounds, and smells, keeping the dogs engaged and curious. This level of stimulation isn’t possible in the repetitive environment of a field. ✅ Human-Dog Bonding: Walking together strengthens our bond, as I’m more actively involved in their exercise. ✅ Maintaining My Fitness: I’m back to hitting my step count and feeling better overall. The dogs get their exercise, and so do I—a win-win! A Lesson in Reviewing Lifestyle Choices
This experience has been a valuable reminder that just because something is popular isn’t the best choice for everyone. While private fields have their place, they didn’t align with my goals or my dogs’ long-term needs. It’s essential to review routines every few months. If new problems arise—like limping puppies or increased pests—take a step back and assess what might have changed. Sometimes, the solution is as simple as returning to what worked in the past. Switching back to road walking has restored balance for me and my dogs. They’re healthier, exercise is more appropriate, and I’m staying active too. Sometimes, the most straightforward solutions really are the best. |
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AuthorWritten exclusively by Sara, a proud founder of the LaRoyal name and a seasoned bulldog enthusiast, our blogs are overflowing with an abundance of show wins, captivating ideas, and a plethora of thoughts and feelings. We are thrilled to embark on this journey, sharing our "real-life" dog ownership experiences with you, our valued readers. Archives
March 2025
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In summary ...Established breeders of high quality, breed typical, family focused, health tested English Bulldogs. I have lived with the breed for nearly 40 years and have been fortunate to win over 25 CC's to date and have been awarded the highest of accolades with home-bred dogs including Best of Breed at Crufts 2013.
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