Sir Patrick Bateson’s influential 2010 report on pedigree dog health identified both challenges and opportunities within the show world. His assertion that dog shows could be “a force for good” has proven prescient, as significant progress has been made in the years since. This transformation remains ongoing, with important implications for all of us in the canine community. I thought it timely to reflect on this in the month after Crufts where we saw significant new initiatives aimed at demonstrating that dog shows can indeed be a force for good.
The Bateson Report’s Impact
Bateson’s independent inquiry, commissioned following concerns raised in the 2008 BBC documentary “Pedigree Dogs Exposed,” created a watershed moment for dog shows. The report highlighted how selective breeding for exaggerated features had compromised health in certain breeds and called for substantial reforms. While initially controversial, it catalysed meaningful change across the dog world.
Many breed standards have been revised to emphasise health and functionality. The Kennel Club (UK) has modified standards for numerous breeds, adding specific clauses to all Standards, requiring “breeders and judges to avoid obvious conditions or exaggerations which would be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.” Similar revisions have occurred internationally, for example reinforced through Breed Specific Instructions for judges in the Nordic countries.
The UK Bulldog standard now explicitly states that nostrils should be “large wide and open, with well-defined vertical straight line between. Over nose wrinkle, if present, whole or broken, must never adversely affect or obscure eyes or nose. Pinched nostrils and heavy over nose roll are unacceptable and must be heavily penalised”. For the Dachshund: “Compact, well-muscled body, with enough ground clearance, not less than one quarter of the height at the withers, to allow free movement. Height at the withers should be half the length of the body, measured from breastbone to the rear of thigh”, discouraging excessive length of body and lack of ground clearance that had become problematic.
Breed Watch: From Concept to Implementation
The Kennel Club’s Breed Watch programme has evolved significantly and it encompasses all breeds recognised by the Kennel Club. Its principles are embedded in every breed standard. The system categorises breeds into three levels based on visible health concerns, with Category 3 breeds requiring mandatory veterinary checks at championship shows before Best of Breed and Champion awards can be confirmed.
Breed Watch has encouraged judges to monitor and address health issues, at all levels of shows. Reports from judges about concerning features feed into a system that tracks emerging problems. When trends are identified, the Kennel Club can respond with educational initiatives or revisions to breed standards.
Health Testing and Data Collection
Health screening has become increasingly integrated into the show world. Many breed clubs now operate health schemes targeting breed-specific issues, from hip dysplasia to heart conditions. The Kennel Club’s recently launched Health Standard specifies Good and Best Practice health tests that responsible breeders should adopt.
Digital platforms like the Kennel Club’s Health Test Results Finder and international databases such as OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) have improved transparency. These resources allow anyone to verify health testing status for individual dogs, creating accountability and enabling informed breeding decisions.
Judge Education and Certification
Judge education has been transformed to emphasise health and welfare. In the UK, the Judges’ Education Programme requires judges to demonstrate understanding of breed standards and how conformation impacts function. Similar educational requirements have been implemented by kennel clubs worldwide, with many requiring continuing education for judges to maintain their licenses.
Changes in Show Culture
Perhaps the most significant shift has been cultural. While resistance initially existed (we probably all remember the howls of protest about the original vet-checks at Crufts), a growing consensus recognises that extreme conformation compromises health. Entry criteria for Pugs, Bulldogs and French Bulldogs this year at Crufts required dogs to be BOAS-tested as Grade 0, 1 or 2. The visibility of health test results and genetic diversity data in the public domain inevitably shapes breeders’ and exhibitors’ behaviour.
Breed clubs regularly host health seminars as well as Breed Appreciation Days, and educational displays about health issues feature prominently at public events such as Discover Dogs, held at Crufts.
Ongoing Challenges
Despite this progress, challenges remain. The pace of change varies considerably across different kennel clubs and geographical regions. Some judges continue to reward extreme types despite revised standards. International harmonisation of health-focused standards remains incomplete. The influence of social media has created new pressures, with “extreme” types sometimes gaining popularity online despite health concerns.
Additionally, the rise of designer crossbreeds and dogs bred primarily for the pet market has created a parallel challenge outside the show world’s influence. Many of these dogs come from sources with minimal health testing or regard for sound structure.
For dog shows to realise their full potential as a force for good, several priorities have emerged. The recent paper “A New Future for Dog Breeding” (Proschowsky et al 2025) identified 3 main problems:
1: Inbreeding and loss of genetic diversity related to closed stud books and the use of popular sires
2: Extreme conformation that can lead to health issues
3: Inadequate health screening against disease-predisposing genotypes and phenotypes
The paper argues that breed standards still need rewording to discourage extreme conformation. However, I think, here in the UK, most breed standards are now clearly calling for more moderate conformation and, therefore, the issue is how to get judges to stop rewarding extremes. The KC has recently issued clarification of the terminology used in breed standards to make it clear where particular traits should not be rewarded in the show ring. The paper’s abstract says “the future organised dog world (i.e. kennel and breed clubs)” should “refocus dog showing and breeding to promote health and appropriate behaviour”.
The transformation Bateson envisioned is well underway. While a more appropriate balance between appearance and health has not yet been achieved across all breeds, dog shows have increasingly become platforms that are a force for good. In my opinion, the remaining challenges will only be addressed if we can achieve changes in human (breeder, exhibitor, judge) behaviour.
