PETA, also known as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, is suing the American Kennel Club. Their civil claim being used is “Breed standards for the bulldog, French bulldog, pug, dachshund, and Chinese shar-pei provide blueprints for the breeding of deformed, unhealthy dogs.” PETA hopes for the breeding standards to go away because they cause bad deformities and, in some cases, premature death. PETA also doesn’t want AKC to profit from the suffering of dogs.

The deformities breeding causes are tiny, flat, or upturned noses, short legs, large skulls, distinctive skin wrinkles, etc. These deformities make it so it’s harder for bulldogs to breathe because they have large skulls, which causes there to be a block in their airflow. Also, when it comes to bulldogs, it’s very hard for them to give birth. It’s hard for them because the skulls of bulldogs are very big and bulldogs have narrow hips. This causes the natural birth rate for bulldogs to be very low. The majority of bulldogs have to get surgery, known as a cesarean section. 

The dachshund gets a lot of back pain because their legs are short. People have bred dachshunds so that they have tiny legs and long backs. People describe it as “the animal equivalent of a poorly designed bridge.” Some other major painful things that they experience are elbow dysplasia, intervertebral disc disease, paralysis, arthritis, joint problems, chondrodysplasia, and diabetes. In some cases, dachshunds can develop a black spot in sensitive areas. This black spot makes their skin get thick and itchy. Currently, there is no cure. Places like the Netherlands, Norway, and Austria have banned the breeding of dachshunds, bulldogs, and cavalier king charles spaniels.  

When it comes to pugs, their eye sockets are very shallow, which causes it to be painful because it affects blinking. They are also very likely to get illnesses. Pugs have lots of health issues. They have breathing issues, too. According to PETA, pugs are 54 times more likely to get brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome than other dogs. Their skull is too small for their body, which affects a pug’s teeth, skin, eyes, and brain. When it comes to their facial wrinkles, they get skin infections because the folds keep bacteria, and it gets unsanitary. 

As of right now, there is no verdict about PETA suing the American Kennel Club. They filed the lawsuit in July, so it’s going to take a little bit for them to come to a decision. When they do reach an outcome, it will be held in New York State Court.