My Wife and I have two beautiful English Bulldogs, we keep them clean and out of the heat (we live in Florida)they have no health problems, we would both like to say leave the breed alone, Who are these people who think that there idea should be excepted to be the rule,
Marty, Port Richey, Florida

Marty Hoechst, Port Richey, FL.

i agree with Lexi this breed does not need changing i have two healthy bulldogs, its all the BAD breeders that ruin the breed my bulldogs have had no health problems, leave this breed you are making a euro bulldog!!!

emma, manchester, england

As a breeder myself,I agree that the health of the dogs should be the most important factor,I have worked with dogs for over 16 years,bulldogs originaly where taller,leaner with longer muzzles but then got bred down in size for the show ring,I believe we should bring them back to how they used to be

Ann, manchester, lancashire

It's not about changing the breed standards. It's about promoting responsible breeding and getting rid of the back yard breeders, puppy mills & stores who sell them . License breeders, inspect them on a regular basis and shut down the bad ones. They are the ones producing unhealthy breeds

Lexi, Saint Petersburg, United States

Responsible breeders will breed for health first to improve the breed, not producing bad litters. They will also not inbreed. I have two perfect bulldogs with all the wrinkles and absolutely no health problems, Leave the breed alone, this is appalling.

Lexi, Saint Petersburg, United States

As an AS level student I am studying selective breeding in biology and I personally believe that it is a good thing to change the way we as humans breed our house-pets, this is because a bulldog in the wild with its current size of "Churchillian jowl" would die as it would not be able to breathe.

David, Carlisle, UK

Leave the breed standards to the breed parent clubs. Do your homework and you can buy a wonderful healthy purebred dog. Go to a pet shop and you get what you get, problems and all. I, personally, would not breed or own what youa are trying to create. The ultimate misuse of power!

Paula, Hollywood, USA

i am 15 years old and i have a goregous british bulldog who is 2 and half years old. i am absolutly appalled by the people who want to change to the breed. Bulldogs are perfectly fine the way they are it is only the breeders and the owners who are to blame if they can not care for their bulldog.

Rachel, Stevenage, UK

The issue here is not the bulldog but the poor breeding standards by disreputable breeders. I own several breeds including bulldogs and through careful research of breeders, have bought wonderfully healthy dogs. I think the solution to any potential health problem in any breed is to buy carefully.

Alison Haswell, Rugby, UK

What fabulous news! Many modern Bulldogs are unable to go out in hot weather, run, play, etc. This will return the breed to its original roots. Look at victorian pictures of bulldogs - this is what they should look like.

Maria Cutler, Bournemouth , UK

It's about time!!! We breed bulldogs and have been going more for the Old English Bulldog look for a few years now. It's about time!! Backroads Bulldogs

R&B Powell, Glencoe, USA

As a vet student, who has a done a Phd in dog behaviour and trained/competed many dogs over the years I would have to agree with the changes being made by the KC. As an overall proportion BD's do have a problem which needs to be addressed. This isn't about individual animals nor is it black & white

Jackson, Morpeth, N'berland

Responsible breeders work hard to minimize health problems in their breeds. If we can't breed healthy children all the time we can't eliminate all health issues in dogs either. But we do health checks on our dogs and try to minimize problems. How many human parents are tested before having kids?

Debbie, Regina, Canada

If it is cruel to breed pedigree dogs on the basis that some might have health problems should all humans with hereditary medical complaints stop having children?

Lauren , Epsom , UK

This is brilliant news. I was really distressed by the documentary and what breeders have done to these poor animals. Looking at the Victorian Bulldog site, I see a far better looking dog then you see at the moment. Surely the welfare of these animals is the most important thing.

Rebecca, Wetherby, UK

What the KC are attempting to do with the Bulldog breed is what has already been done over a number of years with the Victorian Bulldog.
For those who are interested please take a look at http://www.victorian-bulldog.co.uk/

Paul, London, UK

Do all of you bulldog owning posters here, suggesting "My dog has NO problem" actually believe that the large numbers of owners out there who DO have problems would actually post? People, your exceptions do not invalidate the rule - many bulldogs have these problems. Congratulations, yours doesn't

Marc, Basingstoke,

Would someone please tell my bulldogs not to run, jump, play, charge around the beach, chase squirrels etc as apparently they are not able to do these things?
Thanks

Lynn, Lytham St Annes, UK

Hello Bulldog people, the modern, Queen Anne-footstool of a dog you all seem so intent on 'saving' is not a classic Bulldog in the first place. Look back 150 years to when the beast could actually perform the task it was bred for. Embrace the change.

Cae Corso, kingston upon thames,

I have kept bulldogs (as pets not for breeding) for 25 years and none of them have been "lame comedy beasts" as described above! They have all been happy healthy fit dogs who enjoy life as much as any other breed of dog.

Diane, York, UK

I have 5 bulldogs and they are all fit and healthy and only visit the vets for the l things like boosters,they are all walked every day and do on average 2-3 miles they dont suffer from any breahting dificultys or skin complaints and enjoy being fussed and being out about and love the fuss

Paul thompson, ammanford, wales uk

All the sarcastic comment on here are made by people who CLEARLY do not own a bulldog & know very little on the topic! Bulldogs breath easily lying down, standing up, charging round the garden and running round the block at night. They are heathly happy dogs kept by animal lovers! We Must Save Them!

Carly Jones, Melksham, UK

All I can say is FINALLY!
After having to watch more than one purebred Shi-tzu suffer needlessly, I am so happy this is happening!

TRUE animal lovers will care more for the welfare, comfort, and longevity of their pets, whist the foolish will continue to insist on continuing the cruelty!

Jessica, New York, US

What the AR radicals don't want to take into consideration is that a dog can be bred to be both HEALTHY & CONFORM to it's standard. It takes effort from experienced and caring breeders who are willing to test and only breed towards improvement.
I'm aghast that the KC is even considering changes!

Robin, Brookville, Ohio, United States

Those in favour of changes to our beloved bulldog breed are not bulldog owners/breeders/lovers IMO Their comments are uninformed. Every breed has unique health issues. These lovable creatures are wonderful the way the are, if bred by those interested in bettering the breed, and not money hungry.

deborah, toronto, canada

hopefully now there will be a lot less inbreeding that often happens to acheive the best "look". that for a start will give the dogs better health.
when people says that their bulldogs breath easily is that standing up and laying down...or just when standing!

janet, yorkshire,

I hope that all breeders will contact the Kennel club and let them know how they feel and not let them change our breed. Genuine breeders have successfuly strived to make the Bulldog a better healthier breed over the years and have gone further than most in doing this. LEAVE THE BULLDOG ALONE.

David Wingfield, Durham,

I own a loveable Bully and remembering back to the BBC programme there was very little about the Bulldog. It actually concentrated on the plight of the Cav. King Charles Spaniel and the Boxer, both of which brought me to tears - seeing the pain those dogs were in! Where are they in todays press?

Kathryn, Castleford,

I love Bulldogs as do most dog lovers and I get stopped in the street whenever I walk mine. Don't judge all Bulldogs by the odd example of over breeding! I've never had a problem with any of my Bulldogs and if you mess with this breed you will spoil our much loved national mascot.

Mark Whittles, Hull, England

I breed show Bulldogs. The dogs are bred for health and beauty. A beautiful dog who can not walk nor run is of no interest to anyone. I live in a hot part of Brazil and my dogs run and play as much as they want. There, however, is no need to change the standards. Is there nothing sacred any more?

Will, Vitoria, Brazil

Great to see that the breeders are being forced to sort their act out.. why did they encourage difformities and incest?
Well done the BBC for bringing it to out attention!

Paul Lambert, Preston, England

The Victorian bulldog has been bred to the new standards for 30 years yet the kennel club has never allowed this healthier breed to be registered with them. It will be interesting to see if I will be able to register my Victorian in the future.

Dee, London,

I have 2 of the most beautiful bulldogs. The real deal and they are perfectly healthy. They dont have any more or less problems than any other dog.This is totaly uncalled for a this breed is a representative of the UK change there look you will change what everbody knows and loves about the UK

corrinne Roberts, heerlen, netherlands

Jowls are amazing, dogs deserve jowls


long live the jowl!

Ben Burbidge, Northampton,

I have an 11 year old bulldog who still enjoys long walks, she also self welped two litters. Bulldogs come in all shapes and sizes, just like humans, this is not about welfare its about money and mass hysteria by the ignorant.

S. Tanner, Hastings, East Sussex

I have 2 bulldogs that are as fit as fiddles, they never stop and are fantastic with my children.They have no breathing problems as dedicated Breeders have worked hard along with the Kennel Club in the past to remove the problem now the Kennel Club throwing it back in their faces.

Sarah, Lincoln, UK

This is very irresponsible reporting by The Times - your headline is completely misleading and factually inaccurate. The reforms will not mean the death of the breed - in fact, it will simply mean the breeds return to their original shapes instead of the exaggerated travesties bred in recent years.

S. Bassett, Birmingham, UK

We have been working on the bulldog for the past 20 years getting back to its finest shape which was around 1880's before the Edwardians got hold of it inbreeding it into the lame comedy beast you see lumbering awkwardly around the crufts ring today
Visit us here: http://www.victorian-bulldog.co.uk

simon cathcart, London,

We have a Dorchester Old Tyme Bulldog - a decendant of bulldogs bred by Steve Barnett - he is already breeding taller healthier bulldogs and our bitch is fine example of his efforts. She can run 5 miles easily - no breathing problems, shes bouncy fun and well behaved. The KC should go to him.

SS, Soemrset,

the Bulldog has been the healthiest it has ever been for a long time, all my dogs run around the garden with no health problems, i would welcome any vet to examine my dogs they are all healthy its the Novice breeder who gives the bulldogs the bad reputation not the experienced Breeders

Hayley Seal, Boston, Lincolnshire

Standards should be kept the same. I have three bulldogs who are very energetic and can walk for miles. The oldest of the three is now 12 and still as healthy as ever. Also two of my Bulldogs have had two litters each and each time they had a natural birth with no problems.

Lucy, Hastings,

The majority of dog breeders in this country I assume are committed to the welfare of their dogs but lets not forget that there is status and money at stake in the dog breeding world.
Any genuine dog breeder will welcome any changes to be made and those that oppose change cannot be trusted

debbie, stoke on trent, UK

nah, you have mis-interpreted/misunderstood it all, and i can guarantee that we wont lose the classic british bulldog. If you actually look closely at the revised standards on the whole you will see alot of inserted words like 'relative', 'not too [short]', This begs the question relative to what?

Jonathan Fawkes, Buxton, Derbyshire

I have 4 bulldogs and they are very fit and healthy , Infact my eldest bulldog does not stay off the trampoline in summer she loves it! They all run around playing all day everyday and it is my cross bred rottweiler who always is the 1st to lay down tired.

Andrea , nth lincs,

I have a 17 month old bulldog who walks for at least 30 minutes twice a day and then spends the rest of the evening playing, jumping all over us and being totally hyper. There is nothing wrong with the bulldog breed it is irresponsible owners who overfeed and under excercise that are to blame.

Emma, Manchester, Lancashire

This Breed is as healthy as any other breed of Dog, i have 6 bulldogs and mine dont have a problem in breathing in fact i own a small holding with a few acres and mine run and play over my paddock like any dog should, this breed is healthy and the Standard should be kept as it is.

Tracey, Notts,

If the new committe could speak to Noel Fitzpatrick, who is a dedicated and renoun dog and cat surgeon, and sees genetic conditions all the time, they would have place to start to police inbreeding and related genetic deformity from the first animal found to have a condition .

T Brooker, Bordon, Hants

This is great news for the dogs, It will also make people aware of dodgy breeders and hopefully make them change there ways. We have a french bulldog he is to big and heavy for the breed standard but is one of the healthiest frenches i have ever seen, full of energy no breathing problems.

corie, london,

The basset hounds I saw at Crufts were deformed by the additional weight of folds and over turned ankles, they were waddling not walking. This heralds a return to the old standards for working dogs: you can see their pictures in old portaits and photographs. Those are the truly traditional dogs.

F.Mendlesohn, London,

I agree with John,UAE. Today's Bulldogs and Shar Peis are often cosmetically exaggereated versions of the originals. Some Bulldog breeders in the States (where we got ours) are already making these changes. Reputable Shar Pei breeders here already breed according to these new standards.

Dave, London,

The breed is healthy and show dogs aren't dragging the quality down! It's the et/inexperienced breeders. Maybe the KC should consult their poorly developed breeders scheme first, this would be far more beneficial. I own show bulldogs that happily run with working breeds and still win in the showring

Sara Lamont , Brighton,

Excellent news. A very brave but commendable decision by The Kennel Club.

Brett, London, United Kingdom

The Kennel Club reaction goes against all the rules of a Breeder, its just a "knee jerk reaction" against breeders who always have the welfare of the breed when they write a Standard!
The KC should look further into the future and not act in haste!
shame on the Kennel Club and there lack of foresigh

George Levecque , Belwood, Ontario, Canada

We too have a British Bulldog Bitch aged 10, rarely ever goes to the Vet, has spent her life in companionship of a very energetic English Bull Terrier and always matched his ebullience. We lived in Southern Spain too for a while and never had a problem with heat - Safe family friends for all !

Louise Sugarman, Horsham, West Sussex

As we ,as both dog exhibitors and TV licence payers, have paid for this out of our pockets... we've paid for something none of us asked for or felt we required!!!!
The only winner here was the BBC not the KC and defiitely not me.

alistair, ayr, scotland

I think Greg should visit a breeder and see just how healthy our bulldogs are, we reputable breeders take health a priority, he is more than welcome to visit my dogs from ages 8 months to 13 years and see them play, walk, and not a breathing problem in any. Please do not judge our Breed.

Trudi, consett, England

Thank goodness the Kennel Club is now seeing sense. This senseless practice of breeding unhealthy freaks should never have been allowed in the first place. How can these breeders claim to be 'dog lovers', knowing their breeding method was affecting the dogs health? It was a disgrace!

Pat, BOURNEMOUTH, United Kingdom

This is absolutely wonderful news!

Kudos to the Kennel Club and the Pedigree Dogs Exposed team. I hope similar sweeping changes favoring health are enacted by kennel clubs world-wide.

I know the Canadian Kennel Club was waiting for this, but just for breeds of British origin.

Keith S, Winnipeg, Canada

my british bulldog is 11 years old never seen a vet in its life except for jabs still walks a mile every day and is full of life not all bulldogs are poor specimens of the breed and i know a lot more with the same vigour for life

r fullick, crawley, sussex

In my view, the 'classic British Bulldog' is NOT the classic British Bulldog.

John, RAK, UAE

Good news. Any animal bred for it's looks, at the expense of it's health is an abomination. I heard that some of the poor creatures cannot give birth naturally, and that some can't even breathe properly. That is pure, straight wrong.

Greg, Doncaster,