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Is it legal to own an English bulldog or a Cavalier King Charles spaniel in Norway?

What the 2023 Supreme Court ruling means for owners and breeders.

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Short answer

Neither breed is banned in Norway, but in 2023 the Supreme Court found that continued breeding of Cavalier King Charles spaniels breaks the Animal Welfare Act. English bulldogs may still be bred if breeders follow the Norwegian Kennel Club's breeding programme. The case was about breeding, not about keeping dogs that already live in Norway.

a dog with a leash sitting next to a small moose silhouette and a vet cross

Why

  1. In its judgment of 10 October 2023 (HR-2023-1901-A), the Supreme Court found that continued breeding of Cavaliers, as it was being carried out, violates section 25 of the Animal Welfare Act.
  2. The same judgment found that breeding English bulldogs in line with NKK's breeding programme does not violate the law; the programme requires a known BOAS breathing grade, and in 2023 only dogs graded 0 or 1 could be used for breeding.
  3. The Norwegian Government lists six banned dog breeds, among them the pit bull terrier, the dogo argentino and the Czechoslovakian wolfdog, and neither the bulldog nor the Cavalier is on that list.

Details

The case was brought by Dyrebeskyttelsen Norge (Animal Protection Norway) against NKK, the breed clubs and several breeders. The court stressed that a judgment declaring breeding illegal is not the same as an order to have the dogs put down. It also said that outcrossing, where Cavaliers are bred with other breeds, would not necessarily go against the judgment.

Tip

If you buy an English bulldog puppy in Norway, ask the breeder for both parents' BOAS grades and whether the litter follows NKK's breeding programme.

What may differ

Stricter rules apply to the six banned breeds, such as the pit bull terrier and the American Staffordshire terrier: the ban also covers crossbreeds that include any of them in any proportion.

Common misconception

Norway has banned English bulldogs and Cavalier King Charles spaniels.

What actually happens

Neither breed is banned. Only continued breeding of Cavaliers was found to break the law, and English bulldogs may still be bred under NKK's programme.

People also ask

  • Is the English bulldog banned in Norway?
  • Is it illegal to breed Cavaliers in Norway?

Sources

This answer is for reference only. Rules can change, so check Mattilsynet before you buy or bring a dog to Norway.

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