Deformed ‘Frenchies’ face penalties in ring
Show judges told to put health of dog before ‘cute’ looks in crackdown on unscrupulous breeders
FRENCH bulldogs bred with extremely flat faces that put their health at risk will be marked down at dog shows in future. The Kennel Club has introduced tough changes to its breed standards for “Frenchies” so that undesirable facial “exaggerations” are not rewarded in the show ring.
Under the amended rules introduced yesterday the French bulldog’s muzzle should “be clearly viewed in profile” and its nostrils should be “visibly” open.
As a “flat-faced” brachycephalic breed, French bulldogs can face severe health problems such as poor breathing and eye and skin-fold issues.
Bill Lambert, health and welfare expert at The Kennel Club, said: “Certain health problems in French bulldogs have been impacted by their huge increase in popularity, and we continue to be extremely concerned that exaggerations which are perceived to create a ‘cute’ look or sound, have gradually become seen as normal and even desirable. These changes to the French bulldog breed standard aim to ensure it cannot be misinterpreted and that dogs are bred with their health and welfare as the absolute priority.”
Since 2010 the registration of French bulldogs has risen by 1,682 per cent and they have been embraced by celebrities such as David and Victoria Beckham, Reese Witherspoon and Hugh Jackman. The Kennel Club says it cannot simply ban the entry of “deformed” French bulldogs to its shows, as unhealthy exaggerated features need to be confirmed in a face-to-face examination by a trained expert. As a result of
the changes, judges at shows, including Crufts, will be required to mark down any dogs which have the problematic features.
A Kennel Club spokesman added: “Dog shows can be an important lever for change by ensuring the public can see and recognise what a healthy and unexaggerated example of a breed looks like.”
The changes come after the Kennel Club developed its “respiratory function grading scheme” in 2019 to “support and encourage” the responsible breeding of French bulldogs and other brachycephalic breeds.
The scheme assesses a dog for the likelihood that it has Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome, causing painful problems with breathing.
Experts have urged pet lovers to do their bit to undermine the market for unnaturally flat-faced Frenchies by shunning irresponsible breeders. Dr Laura Hamilton, a vet and French bulldog breed health coordinator said: “Many people love owning French bulldogs, but it’s crucial that the public are aware of the breed’s complex health concerns and prioritise health over what they might think looks ‘cute’, and that breeders do all they can to produce healthy puppies.
“These days social media can often be influential on the way that dogs are bred to look, so we urge any would-be owners to do their research... and find a responsible breeder who health screens their dogs.”