Are 67 Dog Breeds Being Banned in the UK? Explained

News claiming that 67 dog breeds banned UK could soon become reality has gone viral online, leaving many pet owners confused and worried. Searches for terms like shih tzu banned UK, corgi banned UK, dachshund banned UK, and French bulldog banned UK have surged after reports suggested several popular breeds may face restrictions.

No, 67 dog breeds are not being banned in the UK. The proposal being discussed focuses on dog breeding health standards, not making common dog breeds illegal to own.

Important Takeaway: 

• The UK is not banning 67 dog breeds
• The proposal focuses on breeding health standards
• French Bulldogs, Pugs, Dachshunds, Corgis, and Shih Tzus were mentioned in reports
• The discussion is linked to the Innate Health Assessment (IHA)
• Current UK banned dog breed laws remain unchanged

The reports are linked to a proposal connected to the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare (APGAW). The discussion centres around an “Innate Health Assessment” (IHA) tool designed to identify physical traits that may lead to serious health problems in dogs.

The proposed checks focus on:

• Breathing difficulties
• Flat faces
• Extremely short legs
• Eye and skin conditions
• Movement and mobility problems

The goal is to reduce harmful breeding practices and encourage healthier breeding standards in the future.

Which Dog Breeds Were Mentioned?

Several well-known breeds appeared in reports around the proposal, including:

1. French Bulldogs
2. Pugs
3. Dachshunds
4. Shih Tzus
5. Bulldogs
6. Welsh Corgis
7. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
8. Chihuahuas

This is why searches such as will dachshund be banned UK, is shih tzu banned in UK, and will corgis be banned UK have been trending online.

Many of these breeds have been part of long-running health debates linked to breathing issues, spine problems, overheating, eye injuries, and exercise intolerance. Flat-faced dog breeds, also known as brachycephalic dogs, are often discussed because of these health concerns.

The proposed Innate Health Assessment would work as a checklist to identify unhealthy physical traits before dogs are bred. The idea is to improve long-term dog health rather than remove pets from existing owners.

At the moment, the UK only bans a small number of breeds under the Dangerous Dogs Act. These include Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, and XL Bully dogs under recent restrictions. These laws are separate from the current discussion around dog breeding health standards in the UK.

So, while headlines about a “dog breed ban UK 2026” have caused panic online, the proposal itself is focused on future breeding practices rather than banning popular pets like Pugs, Corgis, Dachshunds, French Bulldogs, or Shih Tzus.