VICTIMS OF ‘VILE’ TRADE – BORN TO STRUGGLE FOR BREATH
H ORRIFIC health issues, squalid puppy farms, social media ads and dogs being sold from the back of vans – this is the sad reality behind the “vile and cruel” trade of back street breeding flat-faced dogs.
Producing thousands of pounds for backstreet breeders every year, flatter-faced dogs like French bulldogs and pugs are becoming increasingly popular.
More people are buying them, according to the British Veterinary Association (BVA), after being inspired by celebrities and social media.
By the end of the year French bulldogs may overtake labradors as the most popular breed in the UK, the Kennel Club has predicted, after a 47% increase in popularity in the last year.
As the trend for flat-faced dogs begins to peak, more and more are ending up in pounds and rescue centres – as one Welsh animal charity has discovered only too well.
Susie James, chairwoman of Friends of the Dogs – a charity dedicated to supporting lost, stray and abandoned dogs in Cardiff Dogs Home and Newport City Dogs Home – says the charity has seen a rise in the number of brachycephalic dogs, or flat-faced dogs, being taken into their care.
Ms James said: “It’s just a fact of life. It’s not a one off. One day last week we had seven Frenchies in.
“We see more of these dogs straying and wandering than puppies. It’s a trend. People go on social media and see a celebrity with a certain bag or dress and holding a certain dog.
“A year later when that bag goes out of fashion, they’ll sell it on eBay. But when they can’t sell the dog – well, they just end up on the streets. “It’s just grim.” Figures from the BVA show 56% of flat-faced dogs that see vets need treatment for how they look, including breathing difficulties, skin problems, eye ulcers or dental problems.
“We see poor skin conditions. We see poor digestive systems – sometimes the whole system is compromised, from the throat to the bowel,” Ms James said. “We see food intolerances and nostrils pinched so tight the dogs can’t breathe through their noses. It’s like having a peg stuck on your nose and can’t take in any air through your nostrils.”
Tallulah – a three-year-old French bulldog – is just one in a number of Frenchies being cared for by the charity who have fallen victim to these types of problems.
“Tallulah is particularly bad. She’s supposed to have big, round nostrils – but due to poor breeding, they’re so squashed. You can hear her – it’s almost like she’s snoring.”
Similarly, Martha a young French bulldog, was found straying and had a prolapsed uterus – which had been left untreated.
But there is one French bulldog who’s story really highlights the horror behind the snowballing trend of backstreet breeding.
Kizzy was taken in by Friends of the Dogs after being found in a “horrific” state.
When she was found, Kizzy had developed a mammary mass, which eventually burst, leaving the little dog in a “frail” state and “unable to eat”.
She died not long after being rescued.
A post on the Friends of the Dogs Facebook page read: “We only met her hours before she died. Her tumour had burst, she couldn’t eat, all we could do was syringe fluids into her frail little body, and watch her die in our arms.
“The vets believe she had a torn atrial wall – literally, a broken heart.”
The post added: “Dogs like Kizzy are still being kept in squalid puppy farms and backyard breeders all over the UK.
“Their babies are sold via small ads, Gumtree and social media pages and in pet shops.
“Do not buy a puppy from a small ad. Never buy a puppy without seeing the mum. Because if you knew that your cute puppy’s mamma was a dog like Kizzy, how could you be a part of this vile and cruel trade?”
Unfortunately, cases like Kizzy are not uncommon, with the charity warning the trend could have disastrous consequences in years to come.
“Every single badly bred bitch is like Kizzy – it happens all the time,” Ms James said.