Britain’s hottest hound warned to stay in the shade this summer
FRENCH bulldogs and pugs may be hot property in the world of pets, but as the summer months approach, they may be advised to play it cool.
Vets have warned that flat-faced, or brachycephalic dogs, which are on course to overtake Labradors as Britain’s most popular dog, face a sharply elevated risk of heat stroke.
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) said it would issue guidelines on how to care for brachycephalic dogs, as they struggle with high temperatures.
“Dogs are unable to sweat when they get hot, so rely on panting to cool down,” said Gudrun Ravetz, the BVA’s president.
“But brachycephalic dogs, like French bulldogs and pugs, which have surged in popularity, are not able to breathe properly because of their short noses, making it harder for them to cool down and more prone to overheating, and putting them at greater risk of conditions like heat stroke.
“If owners of flat-faced dogs or other breeds with respiratory or cardiac problems have concerns about how to help their dog during the summer months, we’d recommend speaking to their local vet for advice.” Despite warnings about the many health and welfare issues they face, flat-faced dogs, and French bulldogs in particular, have soared in popularity and could soon overtake the Labrador – the UK’s most popular breed for 27 years.
The French bulldog, or “Frenchie”, is 31 times more popular than it was 10 years ago, according to the Kennel Club, thanks to celebrity owners who flaunt them on social media.
Holly Willoughby, the presenter, and Lady Gaga have posted pictures of their pointy-eared puppies on Instagram and Twitter.
David Beckham, Russell Tovey, the actor, and Sarah Harding, the singer, have also been pictured with French bulldog pets.
Kennel Club figures reveal that registrations for the breed rose by 47 per cent in 2015-16, from 14,607 to 21,470 – and up from just 670 in 2007.
The organisation is expecting another 7,000 registrations this year, so the number of French bulldogs in the UK is likely to exceed 28,000.
It is not only flat-faced creatures that are at risk in warm weather. With figures showing skin cancer in dogs is on the rise, pet owners are being advised to use special sunscreen from vets to avoid burning. Sun Awareness Week begins tomorrow, and veterinary experts say that areas with little fur, such as the tips of cats’ ears, are at risk of exposure to harmful rays.
Dog and cat owners are being advised to keep their animals indoors or in the shade when temperatures climb to 68F (20C), as forecast by the middle of the month. Rebecca Ashman, of the veterinary charity PDSA, said: “It often comes as a surprise to owners when they hear that pets can suffer from skin cancer, as some assume that fur will protect them from the sun.
“Unfortunately, this isn’t an effective barrier, and white-furred pets are at highest risk because their skin natural pigmentation.”
Megan Jerred, a veterinary expert from Animal Friends, said the pet insurance firm had seen a 20 per cent rise in conditions such as dehydration and skin cancer in dogs since 2014.
James Yeates, the RSPCA’s chief veterinary officer, said: “In general dogs that are either hairless or have very little hair, like Chinese crested dogs or whippets, are at particular risk to skin cancer.”
He added that some French bulldogs had quite thin fur on their under side, making them more susceptible.