Buying a Frenchie? Be prepared for a lifetime of vet bills
Royal Veterinary College warns that French bulldogs are at risk of health issues and illegal breeding
THEY are the beloved pets of sports stars and socialites including the Beckhams and Millie Mackintosh, the television presenter.
But anyone considering buying a French bulldog should be prepared for a lifetime of vets’ bills because they are so unhealthy, the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has warned.
The breed has boomed in popularity in recent years, with the number of puppies born rising 75-fold since 2003, with around 12,000 dogs bred each year.
Now the largest ever study, which looked at 2,228 French bulldogs, has found that the animals are vulnerable to range of health conditions, including ear infections, diarrhoea and conjunctivitis. Compared with dogs overall, French bulldogs were found to be particularly prone to skin fold dermatitis – which affects three per cent of all dogs, and brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome, which impacts more than one in 50.
Dr Dan O’neill, senior lecturer at RVC and the main author, said that owners of French bulldogs were often left with unexpectedly high vet bills because the dogs were so unhealthy.
“As well as the health risks associated with their extreme physical features, the public’s insatiable demand for French bulldog puppies is fuelling a hugely profitable market for unscrupulous dealers and breeders,” he added.
“Many puppies are farmed in very low welfare conditions, often outside of the UK, and then passed off as healthy happy Uk-bred puppies. “This can contribute to many later behavioural problems, such as aggres- sion. Owners who still decide to buy a French bulldog puppy should research carefully where the puppy comes from and ideally only buy from a breeder that is a member of the Kennel Club’s Assured Breeder Scheme’.” French bulldogs are now so popular they are expected to knock Labradors off the top spot to become Britain’s most common dog later this year. However, the soaring demand has led to illegal puppy smuggling, with profits so high that some crime syndicates have switched from drugs and cigarettes to importing dogs. Puppies can be bought from foreign farms for as little as £40 and then sold in Britain for up to £2,000. There are believed to be up to 100 dog-smuggling gangs operating in the UK, bringing in an estimated 200 puppies every day.
Smuggled dogs are usually unvaccinated and can carry infections and potentially deadly diseases. Canine experts said owners should consider buying a different breed or from a reputable breeder. Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club secretary, said: “There has been an unprecedented surge in popularity of the French bulldog and irresponsible breeders, who want to make a quick profit, are cashing in on this by churning out puppies with no regard for their health, temperament or welfare. “The paper shows that many of the health problems seen in the breed can be caused by low welfare standards, often seen on puppy farms.
“We urge buyers to seek out good breeders, who will always show the pup’s breeding environment. They will also explain the health problems the breed can face, particularly in relation to exaggerated physical features and will take steps to address these, such as showing the pup’s mum so they can be sure that they’re getting a moderate, non-exaggerated dog.”
‘The insatiable demand is fuelling a hugely profitable market for unscrupulous dealers and breeders’