OSLO, Norway: Norway’s Oslo District Court made a unanimous, landmark ruling that breeding bulldogs and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels violates section 25 of the Norwegian Animal Welfare Act and will no longer be allowed.

The ruling was the outcome of a case brought in November 2021 by Animal Protection Norway expressing concern for the dog breeds’ numerous health issues.

“The man-made health problems of the bulldog have been known since the early 20th century. This verdict is many years overdue,” posted shild Roaldset, CEO of Animal Protection Norway.

In the post, lawyer Emanuel Feinberg noted that the ruling is not a blanket ban on the breeds, but a nuanced “legal framework for animal breeding.” Therefore, cross-breeding of the affected dog types is still possible and permitted.”

“A conviction does not imply a ban on serious breeding of Bulldog or Cavalier, as serious and scientifically based cross-breeding could be a good alternative,” the judgment stated.

To aid the transition to better breeding practices, Animal Protection Norway proposed more regulated use of temperament, traits and health data in breeding, as well as the use of chip marking. Without such traceability, “it is impossible” for dog breeding to be effectively supervised, Roaldset said.