French Bulldogs with their flat faces. Dachshunds with their long bodies and very short legs. Scottish Folds with their folded ears. Or even Sphynx cats with their hairless appearance.
You may have found yourself thinking: 'They're just so cute.'
But behind some of the features we find so appealing lies a reality that many people do not know about.
These physical traits are not simply quirks. They can be a direct cause of suffering, pain, illness and a reduced quality of life.
Take the Scottish Fold’s small, folded ears. They are not simply a cute feature. They are caused by a genetic mutationthat affects not only the ears, but also the cartilage and bones throughout the body. As a result, many develop osteoarthritis, live with chronic pain and experience difficulties with movement from a young age.
The extremely short faces of French Bulldogs and Pugs can prevent them from breathing normally. Running, playing or simply getting through a hot summer’s day without struggling with the heat are everyday activities that they should be able to enjoy naturally. Yet, for some, these simple things can become much more difficult because of their body shape.
The same applies to Dachshunds. Their very long bodies and short legs greatly increase the risk of slipped discs, a painful condition that, in some cases, can even lead to paralysis.
And unfortunately, many other breeds share these types of characteristics.
This is known as breeding for extreme traits, or ‘hypertype’: the excessive and artificial development of certain physical features through selective breeding, which prioritises appearance at the direct expense of the animal’s health.
Of course, these animals deserve all the love in the world, just like every other animal. They are not responsible for how they look or for the way they have been bred over generations.
The problem is not with them.
The problem is continuing to deliberately breed animals with features that we now know can cause them harm.
Across Europe, this issue is increasingly being recognised. In 2025, the European Union adopted a ban on breeding animals with extreme physical characteristics when those traits compromise their health. This ban will come into effect from 2030.
Although the UK is no longer part of the European Union, the concerns behind these measures are shared here too. In 2024, the Animal Welfare Committee, which advises DEFRA and the devolved nations, recommended restrictions on several breeds due to health and behavioural problems that were described as “almost inevitable and frequently severe”.
These steps, which we have been a part of, reflect a growing understanding that protecting animal welfare means looking beyond appearance and considering the lives animals are able to lead.
But the journey does not end there. Governments can choose to go further by introducing stronger protections, and each of us can play a part in creating change.
We can share information, raise awareness among those around us and continue to support adoption. And, out of love for our animal companions, we can choose not to buy breeds with extreme physical traits.
Because truly loving animals means looking beyond appearance and putting their health and wellbeing first.