Carol Leifer Slams Kennel Club Over Sickly Dog Breeds in New PETA Videos
New York – – Following the American Kennel Club’s (AKC) announcement of its “Most Popular Dog Breeds” of 2025—which placed French bulldogs at #1 for the fourth consecutive year—comedy icon Carol Leifer is speaking out against the AKC’s promotion of breeds prone to significant health issues. Leifer, known for her work on Curb Your Enthusiasm, Seinfeld, Hacks, and Saturday Night Live, has created a pair of new videos for PETA sharply criticizing the AKC’s focus on breeds like French bulldogs, English bulldogs, and pugs.
The videos accept a dual approach. The first spot features Leifer in character as “your 2-pack a day Aunt Doris,” complete with a bright red wig and a tropical muumuu. In this comedic portrayal, she struggles to inflate a broken air mattress, visually representing the labored breathing experienced by flat-faced dogs. “As vets have described it, every breath these dogs take, it’s like breathing through a slight straw,” Leifer says in the video, before dramatically reaching for an oxygen mask. The visual metaphor underscores the physical distress inherent in the breed’s anatomy.
Beyond the satire, Leifer delivers a more direct message in a second PSA. She calls out what she describes as the “torture breeding” industry, which intentionally breeds dogs for extreme physical characteristics – specifically, flattened snouts that severely compromise their airways and shorten their lifespans. “Every French bulldog photo on Instagram should come with a disclaimer: ‘Warning—may cause lifelong vet bills,’” Leifer states in the PSA. “Breeders cash in on the look, and the dogs and their guardians pay for it—literally.”
The issue extends beyond individual suffering, according to Leifer. She points to the economic incentives driving the continued breeding of these dogs. “As long as there is money to be made selling, showing, and breeding dogs,” she explains, “breeders will continue to produce more, regardless of how much they cause dogs to suffer in the process.” This highlights a systemic problem where profit outweighs animal welfare.
Leifer’s involvement brings a high-profile voice to a growing debate about responsible breeding practices. Even as several European countries – including Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, and Norway – have already implemented bans or restrictions on breeding dogs with breathing impairments, the practice remains legal in the United States. The continued popularity of these breeds, as evidenced by the AKC’s rankings, fuels the demand that sustains the industry.
This isn’t PETA’s first celebrity collaboration on animal welfare issues. Leifer joins a notable list of actors and personalities who have partnered with the organization, including Tom Hardy, Ron Perlman, Edward James Olmos, Brian Cox, Joaquin Phoenix, Anjelica Huston, and Gillian Anderson. The organization leverages celebrity endorsements to raise awareness and advocate for policy changes.
PETA’s broader message, encapsulated in its motto, emphasizes that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way.” The organization highlights its “Every Animal Is Someone” campaign and offers free “Empathy Kits” aimed at fostering compassion. The campaign seeks to challenge the anthropocentric view that allows for the exploitation of animals.
The timing of these videos coincides with increasing scrutiny of the breeding practices that prioritize aesthetics over health. The French bulldog’s continued reign as the AKC’s most popular breed, despite well-documented health concerns, has grow a focal point for animal welfare advocates. The debate isn’t simply about banning breeds, but about fundamentally rethinking the standards by which dogs are bred and the ethical responsibilities of breeders and owners.
Leifer’s commentary adds a layer of cultural critique, connecting the popularity of these breeds to social media trends and consumer culture. The Instagram-fueled demand for “cute” dogs, she suggests, inadvertently contributes to the suffering of animals bred to meet those aesthetic standards. This raises questions about the role of social media in perpetuating harmful breeding practices.
PETA is directing those interested in learning more to its website, PETA.org, and its social media channels on X, Facebook, and Instagram. The organization hopes to spark a broader conversation about responsible pet ownership and the ethical implications of breeding practices.