THE CRUEL TRADE IN
PUPPY breeders are creating China chugs – a “Frankenstein” cross between a chihuahua, pug and a hairless Chinese crested dog.
Campaigner Vanessa Waddon said the latest “designer dog” is the most horrific she has seen in 14 years working in animal welfare – and its creation is down to owners wanting to show off on social media.
The China chug puppies were advertised as festive gifts available for collection on Christmas Eve on the several websites. Those with hair cost £350 but the bald ones were nearly twice as much at £650.
Vanessa, of dog charity Hope Rescue, said: “They’re Frankenstein pups designed to look different. They’re being bred so people can show them off online because they look ‘cute’.
“It’s worrying because if that is what the public want, then more breeders will follow.
“The breeder is mixing chihuahuas and pugs, two breeds with flat faces known for breathing problems, with the Chinese crested which is prone to deafness, eye and joint problems.
“It’s the most awful, awful mix and I can’t begin to think about the health problems these poor dogs suffer.
“Everything indicates those dogs were bred purely for money and for the Christmas market.”
The £13million-a-year UK puppy farming business thrives because of high demand for designer breeds like French bulldogs, which have seen a 2,964 per cent increase in popularity over the past 10 years according to the Kennel Club.
Bill Lambert, Kennel Club senior health and welfare manager, said: “We are very concerned that some unusual crossbreeds, like China chugs, are bred any which way to generate profit, with no worries about their health or welfare.
“Rogue dog breeders selling directly to puppy buyers can also be masking terrible conditions.”
He added: “Often a crossbreed is
BRED TO BE DIFFERENT: Hairless China chug pup that was up for sale on Gumtree and the mother and father a China chug, far right
developed just to create a humorous name, or certain look, that will sell well. If the breeds being crossed are unsuitable it can result in dogs with health and behaviour problems.”
The Kennel Club urges potential owners to only deal with reputable breeders, visit the pup in its home and ask to see it with its mother.
They should also insist on checking the parent dogs’ health test results, and that the puppy has vaccination records plus a pet contract.
Vanessa says rescue centres are increasingly having to deal with the consequences of “backyard breeders”. She recently took in Noel, an English/French bulldog cross sold as a stud breeding dog at just four weeks old. Pups should be with their mothers for eight weeks at least.
Because Noel had not had injections, the puppy contracted deadly parvovirus and was dumped at a vets as the owers couldn’t afford the treatment.
Noel was handed over to Hope Rescue but died aged 14 weeks. Vanessa suspects the dog was sold to a backstreet breeder to father hundreds of expensive pups. Thanks to Lucy’s Law introduced last year banning shops and dealers selling puppies, the public are aware of rogue traders who breed hundreds of dogs in barns and warehouses to sell when too young.
Now Vanessa says it is people who sell puppies from their homes, that would-be owners need to look out for.
She said: “They may seem like caring owners whose dog has had a litter. But they don’t carry out the health checks they should and some of these dogs can sell for £15,000.
“We’re also seeing people breeding unusual colours – lilac, pink, blue, fawn and merle – particularly with English and French bulldogs. Kerry Katona recently showed off her pink pug and people said how cute it was.
“It means people will go online and search for the same thing so it fuels demand. That’s the problem.”
Jules Hamilton set up the Hybrid Breeders Association to help people who wanted to buy crossbreeds like cockapoos and labradoodles find an ethical breeder. She said: “People need to ask to see the pup’s parents, ask them why they chose to breed the two dogs, and see evidence that the dogs have been DNA health-tested for breed specific mutations. Any breeder worth their salt will do this.”
For Vanessa, still devastated by seeing helpless puppy Noel suffer, the message is that new owners need to research the breed and choose a dog that they are able to care for.
She said: “I’m not anti-breeder. There is a place for responsible breeders and I understand that adopting a dog isn’t an option for everyone but the public need to be responsible too and not get pets because of how they look.
“So, if people want to get a China chug they should ask themselves why they have chosen the breed.
“If it’s to show off on social media, they need to question whether it’s really a pet they want.
“These poor dogs are sentient beings, not fashion accessories.”