PETA is taking the American Kennel Club to court, arguing that official breed standards are leading to a lifetime of pain, medical issues, and early deaths for some of the most popular dogs in America.

The American Kennel Club is damaging the health of certain popular dog breeds by promoting unhealthy physical attributes that cause deformities, a new lawsuit alleges.The lawsuit, filed in New York State Supreme Court by the animal rights organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), seeks to abolish the American Kennel Club’s (AKC) requirements for bulldogs, French bulldogs, dachshunds, pugs, and Chinese shar-peis, arguing that the physical standards required cause deformities, great suffering and premature death to these animals.