What is a healthy body shape in a dog?

The debate around extreme conformations in dogs has taken a step forward with an international multi-stakeholder group aiming to help dog owners to understand and recognise what an innately healthy dog looks like.

While the problems with certain breeds of dog – especially brachycephalic breeds – are well known in the veterinary industry, the International Collaborative on Extreme Conformations in Dogs (ICECDogs, 2024) position paper takes this information to the wider public, who will be instrumental if these extreme conformations are ever to be avoided in future. The position paper has been covered in the media quite extensively, hopefully raising the profile of this important issue.

Highlighting the importance of raising awareness of owners, co-founder of ICECDogs, Dan O'Neill said: ‘No owner ever wants an unhealthy dog but the huge popularity of dogs with extreme conformations suggests that many owners have not fully grasped the link between body shape and quality of life for dogs.’