Crufts Tightens the Rules, yet LaRoyal’s Commitment Never Changes

Why sound breeding, not shifting rules, is what truly shapes a healthy Bulldog.

Anyone researching Bulldogs or looking for a well-bred puppy soon discovers that not all Bulldogs are created equal. Breathing, structure, movement and long-term health vary enormously depending on how thoughtfully a dog has been bred and raised. The Kennel Club is continually trying to promote better health within the breed, and its latest initiative, the Crufts 2026 entry rules, has made that difference even clearer. 

Under the new system, any Bulldog graded 2 or 3 under the Respiratory Function Grading Scheme will be excluded from competing, meaning only dogs with genuinely functional breathing will make the cut.

The intention is admirable, although I don’t agree that narrowing Crufts' entry is the best route. It places pressure on the most proactive dog owners, those already health testing and presenting their dogs openly, while leaving untouched the far larger population of Bulldogs bred with no understanding of conformation or functional health. It risks scapegoating the responsible, not the irresponsible.

Here at LaRoyal, all four of our qualified dogs, Pearl, King, Luther and Phoebe, sit comfortably below the threshold.

King and Luther were even tested at the earliest opportunity, the very first weekend after their first birthday, and both passed cleanly. No conditioning, no clever preparation, simply naturally sound youngsters who breathe exactly as a Bulldog should.

The updated rules don’t change how we breed here. They simply highlight the value of strong female lines, correct type, thoughtful selection and honest testing. These principles have shaped LaRoyal for decades, and they continue to show in the dogs we take into the ring.

Whatever direction the wider sport takes, our aim stays the same, producing Bulldogs that breathe, move and live as they should, and giving future families the confidence that their puppy begins life on the strongest footing possible.

If you’re beginning your journey into choosing a Bulldog puppy, and want to understand what “healthy breeding” really means in practice, the STAR Puppy Plan is designed to guide you through it. It teaches you how to assess health, temperament and type, how to identify responsible breeders, and what to look for long before you fall in love with a puppy. You can even listen to the full learning audio free of charge below:

FREE star audio COURSE

It’s an easy, insightful way to learn what truly matters in a Bulldog, and why thoughtful breeding makes all the difference.​