ABSTRACT
There is an extensive and growing body of scientific literature detailing the impacts of extreme brachycephalic conformation on the health and welfare of dogs, which are concerning in terms of both their severity and chronicity. However, there has been a recent groundswell of veterinarians ‘speaking out’ about extreme brachycephalic phenotypes, based on a recognition that affected dogs are a product of selection and naïve demand. This raises the ethical question of whether veterinary professionals are complicit in perpetuating welfare problems associated with extreme brachycephalic phenotypes. This chapter discusses the role of veterinary professionals in relation to extreme brachycephalic phenotypes, as well as how different ethical frameworks may assist in navigating associated ethical challenges, with reference to case examples. It also discusses the need for action by veterinarians to address welfare problems associated with extreme brachycephalic phenotypes, so that veterinarians can align their behaviour with their values on animal welfare.
