Helle Friis Proschowsky

Helle Friis Proschowsky is an Associate Professor in the Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences at the University of Copenhagen, specializing in animal welfare and dog breeding research. Her work focuses on addressing welfare challenges in pedigree dogs, particularly breeds with extreme physical conformation, and promoting evidence-based breeding practices.

Education:

• Veterinarian degree
• PhD in Molecular Genetics and Epidemiology

Her research spans veterinary genetics, population dynamics, and welfare science, with emphasis on hereditary diseases in canine populations. Current projects investigate cesarean section trends in pedigree dogs, brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) management, and stakeholder attitudes toward breeding reforms. She actively bridges scientific research with policy development through regulatory consultations.

Recent publications (2024-2026) demonstrate interdisciplinary collaboration across veterinary medicine, ethics, and policy. Key themes include welfare impacts of extreme conformation, breeding practice evolution, and stakeholder engagement in welfare improvement. Her work frequently appears in journals like Animal Welfare and Frontiers in Veterinary Science, alongside policy submissions to Danish and EU authorities.

Professional activities include editorial roles for Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics and Journal of Veterinary Science, lectures on canine genomics, and teaching for the Danish Kennel Club's breeder education program. Media contributions address practical dog care topics like Newfoundland water training and genetic testing.

She is affiliated with the Centre for Companion Animal Welfare (Center for Forskning i Familiedyrs Velfærd), where her team conducts welfare assessments and develops breeding guidelines to balance breed preservation with health considerations.