Push the pugs off Valentine’s cards say vets
WITH their adorably rumpled faces and huge, trusting eyes, it’s hardly surprising that pugs and bulldogs adorn many Valentine’s Day cards.
But vets have now called for an end to the use of flat-faced breeds on cards to put a brake on their popularity.
Dogs and cats that have been bred to have flat faces suffer from breathing and walking problems.
their prominence on merchandise is fuelling a craze for the pets, says the British Veterinary Association.
BVA president John fishwick said: ‘Pugs and many other flat-faced dogs have lovely temperaments, but the use of their images on cards and gifts is “normalising” these breeds’ short noses and big eyes which can cause horrendous pain for the animal and prove costly for the owner to treat.
‘We understand that stock for this year is already in the shops, but we’re confident that now card retailers are aware of these problems they will want to do their bit to reduce the visibility and, hopefully, the popularity of these breeds.
‘Valentine’s Day is meant to be romantic, so giving a gift or card depicting an animal that can suffer breathing difficulties or skin problems as a result of its breeding is definitely a message to avoid.’
the BVA’s message is part of the Breed to Breathe campaign, which last year blamed advertisers for the popularity of pets such as pugs, King Charles spaniels and rottweilers.
Sharon Little, chief executive of the Greeting Card Association, has informed members about the campaign so they can make ‘informed decisions about the products they stock and sell in the future’.
Marks & Spencer, Costa Coffee and Heinz have already said they would reconsider the use of flat-faced pets in their advertising and merchandise.