Beauty versus the Beast: Less extreme body shapes in flat-faced dogs are the UKÐÂÔÂÖ±²¥™s favourite
New research from the ÐÂÔÂÖ±²¥ (RVC) has revealed that when given a choice, the UK prefers less extreme body shapes in flat-faced (brachycephalic) dogs. The general public sees less extreme body shapes as more attractive, healthier, more ethically bred and more desirable to own, and they make the public feel happier. These latest findings indicate another positive step forward in the movement to raise awareness and offer solutions to the welfare crisis surrounding extreme body confirmation in dogs.
Flat-faced dog breeds, such as Pugs, English Bulldogs and French Bulldogs, are recognisable by their extreme body conformations, such as flat faces, bulging eyes, skin folds and short or absent tails, which are associated with severe and long-term suffering and shortened lives. Despite growing evidence of this suffering, ownership of these breeds remains stubbornly high.
Moving towards less extreme body shapes in flat-faced breeds could reduce conformation-related disease and improve canine welfare. This approach towards more moderate body shapes includes selection for longer muzzles and smaller, enclosed eyes, and is advocated for by canine charities, veterinary organisations and national expert groups such as the UK Brachycephalic Working Group. However, little is known about the public’s preferences for varying degrees of flat-faces, and associated extreme conformations, in dogs.
This RVC research, funded by RSCPA, Animal Welfare Foundation and Blue Cross was conducted by an interdisciplinary team including Master’s student Elizabeth Youens, canine welfare scientist Dr Rowena Packer, and epidemiologist Dr Dan O’Neill. The study involved an online questionnaire for the general public using artificial intelligence-generated images of less extreme, super extreme and currently typical versions of three common brachycephalic breeds (French Bulldog, Pug and English Bulldog). The questions were designed to assess the preferences of nearly 5,000 members of the UK public for varying degrees of muzzle length, eye size/shape, skin wrinkling and tail length in these three breeds.
Participants scored the images based on five criteria: perceived attractiveness, health, happiness their appearance induced, ethics of breeding and ownership desire. This study aimed to understand the preferences of owners of all types of dogs. Of the respondents in the study, 25.9% owned a purebred brachycephalic breed, 8.8% owned a crossbred brachycephalic breed, 61.9% owned a non-brachycephalic breed and 3.4% were not dog owners.
The results overwhelmingly showed that the less extreme variant of a brachycephalic breed was the nation’s favourite. The less extreme variants of the French Bulldog, Pug and English Bulldog were considered more desirable across all five aesthetic and perceptual characteristics explored. Less extreme conformations consistently scored higher than the typical conformation dog, and the typical conformation dog scored higher than the super-extreme conformation dog.
Findings also revealed that owners of purebred brachycephalic dogs consistently scored more positively across all degrees of conformational extremes, compared to other respondents. This reflects the underlying preference of these owners for dogs that look like their own dog. However, even among these committed owners of purebred brachycephalic dogs, there was still a consistent preference for the images with the least extreme conformations.
These findings offer significant welfare opportunities to reverse the current normalisation of extreme body shapes in flat-faced breeds associated with serious health and welfare concerns. However, rapid moves towards producing less extreme conformation among Kennel Club registered dogs will require broad acceptance of outcrossing to ‘give back’ these more moderate features, given that these variants are extremely rare in the current purebred population and not typical of dogs that meet breed standards. Yet, evidence on the health and welfare of brachycephalic outcrosses compared to their ancestor breeds is currently limited and requires further research before evidence-based recommendations on optimal outcrossing breeding programmes can be made, an area the RVC is currently researching.
Elizabeth Youens, Master’s student at the RVC and lead author, said:
“This study shows that general preference is for less extreme body shapes in brachycephalic dog breeds, even amongst those who are attracted to the current extreme conformations typically displayed. This implies that current breed standards could be amended to reduce the glorification of these extreme body-shapes, thereby promoting better health, without reducing popularity and demand.”
Dr Rowena Packer, Senior Lecturer in Companion Animal Behaviour and Welfare Science at the RVC and senior author, said:
“Our novel results are extremely encouraging, indicating the UK public has a healthy appetite for brachycephalic dogs with more moderate, natural features than is currently common in both pet and show populations. However, we now face major challenges in encouraging breeders to select towards these body shapes to meet any future demand. This will require a shift away from traditions and preferences for pure breeding, instead embracing the huge welfare opportunities that outcrossing offers, providing healthier body shapes and increased genetic diversity in a rapid time frame compared to the limits of conventional within-breed selection.”
Dr Dan O’Neill, Assoc Professor of Companion Animal Epidemiology at the RVC and co-author said:
“Over recent decades, the general public has been flooded with images of extreme versions of French Bulldogs, Pugs and English Bulldogs in advertising and social media. This has normalised the suffering that comes with these extreme body shapes. However, this new research offers hope and shows that the UK public still understands the welfare costs to these dogs from extreme body shapes and would move to less extreme versions of these dogs if only these were offered to them.”
Dr Paul Manktelow, Director of Veterinary ÐÂÔÂÖ±²¥ at Blue Cross, said:
“At Blue Cross we see all too often how pets with extreme features suffer from painful conditions that often require costly surgery to treat. This study provides hope that it doesn’t have to be this way. With public appetite for buying dogs with less exaggerated features comes real opportunity to breed more moderate dogs, and to protect the welfare of future generations.”
Lauren Bennett, Scientific and Policy Officer, Companion Animals, at the RSPCA, said:
“At the RSPCA, we believe that all dogs should be able to live long, happy and healthy lives. There is well documented evidence that extreme conformations, such as brachycephaly, negatively impact health and welfare which is why this research is so important. Moving towards moderate versions of the most severely affected breeds has the potential to reduce the harm caused by breeding for appearance and improve relationships with their human companions.
“We are grateful to RVC and to the individuals who have contributed their expertise in producing this vital piece of work. Together, we hope this research will improve the lives of many animals who suffer as a result of their appearance.”
Notes to Editors
Reference
YOUENS E; O'NEILL DG; BELSHAW Z; MOCHIZUKI S; NEUFUSS J; TIVERS MS; PACKER RMA (2025) Beauty versus the Beast: The UK public prefers less extreme body shapes in brachycephalic (flat-faced) dog breeds. Vet Record. e5671
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