Abandonments of the popular designer dog breed the French bulldog have increased by a staggering 7,000% in the last three years.
The shocking statistics have been released by the RSPCA, amid concerns that the cost of living crisis – and the increased costs associated with the breed – are behind the rise.
In 2020, eight dumped French bulldogs were reported to the RSPCA – but in 2021 this increased to 216. The numbers rose again to 422 in 2022, and by 2023 they increased to 582, marking an astonishing rise of 7,175% in just three years.
As Crufts concluded at the weekend – and dog breeds are in the spotlight – the RSPCA has launched its Born To Suffer campaign – to raise public awareness of the health issues faced by brachycephalic dogs and to encourage people not to fuel the demand by buying one.
The RSPCA is also urging political parties, as part of its General Election manifesto, to consider a better deal for dogs with legislation prioritising their health and welfare in England – calling on the next Government to tackle changes to dog breeding.
Esme Wheeler, dog expert at the RSPCA, said: “Sadly – and what people may not realise – French bulldogs are prone to health conditions because they are a flat-faced ‘brachycephalic’ breed. This means that they may struggle to breathe because they have small airways, and as a result can need more expensive vet treatment. Many pet-owners may not realise these potentially huge extra costs when they first get their dog.”
The most known health issue for a flat-faced breed is brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) – a lifelong, progressive obstructive airway disease caused by the excess of soft tissues that essentially have nowhere to go since the skeleton has been reduced.
These breeds can also suffer from spinal deformities, dental, skin, and eye issues as well as difficulty giving birth.
As a result, pet insurance for French bulldogs can be as high as £127 a month – compared to £33 for a collie breed*.
Esme said: “The cost of living crisis is one of the biggest barriers to animal welfare and is making it harder for people to be kind to animals. Many pet owners are struggling, even more than last year, which is likely impacting these shocking figures.
“The huge rise in reports of French bulldogs being abandoned could suggest that, after their popularity soared, owners saw the costs stacking up as health problems left them with rising vets fees. Sadly, instead of asking for help, some may have chosen to dump their dog.
“While owners love their pets and want the best for them, we want people to realise this sort of ‘cuteness’ comes with a cost. It is time we say no to designer breeding and prioritise health above looks.”
Research shows that, heartbreakingly, brachycephalic breeds have a significantly shorter lifespan than other breeds, with French bulldogs having a much shorter life expectancy than other breeds – estimated at only four and a half years.
Last month, an underweight French bulldog puppy was dumped in a cardboard box in East Farleigh, near Maidstone. She was found alone in the dark by a member of the public, who took her to the RSPCA.
The puppy, now named Baba Ganoush, pictured above, is believed to be suffering from nystagmus – a flicker or twitch of the eyes which can fade on its own but can also worsen if it’s caused by a disease that affects their balance. She is being monitored by a vet and is currently being fostered.
The RSPCA’s campaign, Born To Suffer, encourages people to join the battle against brachys by pledging online to say no to extreme breeding, and yes to health and wellbeing.
