Vets’ warning over health of French bulldogs adored by stars
THE craze for French bulldogs – driven by celebrity ownership – is poised to make the breed the most popular in Britain this year.
However, vets yesterday warned that the trend is going to lead to a canine health crisis.
The flat-faced breed suffers from a string of health problems and owners are likely to be landed with large vet bills in the future. Now the Royal Veterinary College has asked families to seriously consider if French bulldogs are ‘really for them’.
In the UK’s first-ever study of the breed – known as Frenchies – the RVC found them to be beset with breathing problems. It also found the big- eared and snub-nosed pets are prone to ear infections, diarrhoea and conjunctivitis.
French bulldogs – which can sell for more than £1,500 – have risen in popularity 73-fold over the past ten years in Britain.
The breed has become so popular it is expected to replace the labrador as our favourite dog this year. Famous owners include David Beckham, Holly Willoughby and Millie Mackintosh.
The RVC analysed data on 2,228 Frenchies under veterinary care during 2013 from 304 UK clinics. Vets reported 12.7 per cent had breathing issues. Skin problems were the most common group of health problems - which the authors believe is down to the dogs’ skin folds.
Study author Dr Dan O’Neill said: ‘ There is a worry that increased demand for the French bulldog is damaging to these dogs’ welfare because of the health risks associated with their extreme physical features. One of the interesting findings from our research is that male French bulldogs appear to be less healthy than females.’
He warned the health problems found could be just the tip of the iceberg as the dogs in the study were relatively young.
The French bulldog originated in France in the 1800s. It is said that lacemakers from Nottingham settling in France brought miniature English bulldogs with them, which were bred with local terriers.