Number of deserted French bulldogs will increase sharply in England and Wales | Dogs

Esme Wheeler, a canine welfare specialist on the RSPCA, stated whereas the explanations for the abandonment of dogs was advanced, one motive for the surge may very well be the cost of residing disaster, including that French bulldogs typically had bigger prices related to them than different breeds.

“We would speculate that these are perhaps two of the key reasons why these dogs are being abandoned,” she stated.

According to figures from the Kennel Club, registrations of French bulldogs climbed from 9,670 in 2014 to 54,074 in 2021. While registration figures declined to 26,704 in 2023, the French bulldog remained second solely to the labrador by way of reputation of pure breeds.

But Wheeler stated the rising numbers had been unlikely to totally clarify the surge in abandonments. “This is a huge increase in abandonments and I don’t think you can attribute it just to [the] greater numbers of [French bulldogs] in the population overall,” she stated.

Like different flat-faced, or brachycephalic, breeds similar to pugs and bulldogs, French bulldogs have triggered concern as a result of their excessive physique form has been linked to numerous well being issues, together with pores and skin issues, eye issues, difficulties giving birth, and respiratory conditions.

Dr Dan O’Neill, an affiliate professor of companion animal epidemiology on the Royal Veterinary College, stated: “RVC VetCompass research has shown that flat-faced dogs are 24% more likely to be diagnosed with at least one disorder each year than crossbred dogs. These increased health risks are likely to translate into substantially higher veterinary care costs for owners of dogs with extreme body shapes.”

Indeed, in addition to huge vet payments, elevated well being dangers imply such dogs are more expensive to insure. French bulldogs typically have bigger prices related to them than different breeds.

The latest information on canine abandonment, which doesn’t embrace dogs dropped at the RSPCA by their homeowners, comes shortly after it was revealed that the UK competitors regulator is to begin a proper investigation into the veterinary market, amid issues pet homeowners could also be paying an excessive amount of for therapies and medicines.

The RSPCA has launched a marketing campaign referred to as Born to Suffer in an try to discourage folks from shopping for brachycephalic breeds.

Concerns round flat-faced breeds had been thrown into the highlight this month when Elton, a three-year-old French bulldog, won the utility group at Crufts.

The Kennel Club, which organises the occasion, stated Elton didn’t have respiratory issues and handed a respiration evaluation with the very best rating. Nevertheless, others criticised the win, arguing Elton didn’t meet the latest breed customary for the French bulldog, together with the requirement for nostrils to be visibly open.

Bill Lambert, the well being, welfare and breeder companies govt on the Kennel Club, stated: “The increase in dog abandonments for all breeds is a sad reflection of the changes to post-lockdown lifestyles, ill-considered buying decisions and the lack of training and socialisation that dogs received at that time.”

He expressed shock that the general proportion of French bulldogs that had been deserted was far decrease than for the opposite breeds for which information was shared by RSPCA, at about 2% of the general registered inhabitants measurement.

Lambert stated: “This is unusual – and we suspect the numbers across all rescue centres must be higher – because breeds such as the French bulldog, which rapidly increased in popularity driven by celebrity and social trends, [are] potentially vulnerable to higher abandonment, as irresponsible breeders are quick to fill the demand for puppies from sometimes ill-informed buyers.”

Wheeler stated the message from the RSPCA was clear. “We urge people not to acquire extreme brachycephalic dogs and if they really want one, please rescue,” she stated.