With their small, compact noses and wrinkled faces, flat-faced dogs like Pugs, French Bulldogs, and English Bulldogs have become favorites with dog lovers and celebrities.
Unfortunately, their facial structure puts them at high risk for a range of health conditions, including breathing difficulties and eye problems.
In recent years, veterinarians have raised serious concerns about the safety of these breeds and urged potential owners not to purchase them.
Now, figures published by The Kennel Club suggest their pleas may finally be being heard, with the popularity of flat-faced dogs in Britain falling by a third this year.
“We hope the new numbers are a sign that this message is getting across,” Kennel Club spokesman Bill Lambert said.
In recent years, veterinarians have raised serious concerns about the safety of these breeds and urged potential owners not to purchase them. Now, figures published by The Kennel Club suggest their pleas may finally be being heard, with the popularity of flat-faced dogs in Britain falling by a third this year.
With their small, pinched noses and wrinkled faces, flat-faced dogs like Pugs, French Bulldogs (stock photo) and English Bulldogs have become favorites with dog lovers and celebrities
| Reproduction | Q1 to Q3 2022 | First quarter to third quarter 2023 | % changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clay | 2,834 | 1,654 | -42% |
| English bulldog | 9,219 | 5,668 | -39% |
| French bulldog | 32,569 | 21,349 | -34% |
The short facial characteristics of flat-faced (or brachiocephalic) dogs did not evolve naturally but are the result of selective breeding.
Previous studies have shown that this facial structure puts them at high risk for a range of health conditions.
This includes breathing problems, difficulty giving birth, and excessive skin folds.
Despite these problems, French bulldogs, English bulldogs, and pugs are all very popular pets.
This is largely due to its popularity among celebrities and influencers, such as Gerard Butler, Reese Witherspoon, Paris Hilton, and YouTuber Zoella.
But the new numbers raised new hopes for these strains.
Overall, there has been a 17 per cent decline in registrations of all dogs in the UK so far this year.
However, registrations of flat-faced breeds have fallen by more than a third.
There was a 42 percent decrease in registration of pugs, 39 percent fewer English bulldogs, and 34 percent fewer French bulldogs.
With their small, compact noses and curly tails, pugs have become a favorite among dog lovers and celebrities like Paris Hilton.
Gerard Butler, Paris Hilton and Zoe Sugg are just a few of the famous faces who have shared their lives with flat-faced breeds.
According to The Kennel Club, this is the biggest decline in popularity of these breeds in more than a decade in Britain.
Dan O'Neill, chair of the Brachycephaly Working Group (BWG), said: “The decline in puppy registrations for these flat-faced breeds is a welcome step in the right direction, although it should be viewed with some caution.”
“We hope this is a sign that more and more buyers, owners and breeders of puppies are considering the serious health and welfare implications of flat-faced dogs.
“This is particularly important if these dogs are purchased on the motive of 'looking cute' but without a proper understanding of their potential health issues or how indiscriminate breeding to meet demand leads to poor welfare.”
There was a 42 percent decrease in Pug registrations, 39 percent fewer English Bulldogs (stock photo), and 34 percent fewer French Bulldogs
Previous studies have shown that the short facial structure of pugs puts them at high risk for a range of health conditions
Formed in 2016, the BWG is made up of veterinarians, national animal welfare organizations, scientists and dog breed clubs.
She hopes the new figures will encourage potential owners to stop and think before buying a flat-faced dog.
“We encourage all potential owners to think very carefully about any decision to purchase a puppy, especially if they are considering getting a flat-faced dog,” Lambert added.
“A good breeder will health test the parents before they are bred and will always show buyers the mother, and ideally the father, so they can see if they have exaggerated features such as muzzles that are too short, partially closed nostrils or excessive skin folds. Which they likely will.” It can be transmitted to the puppy and cause health problems.
These new figures come shortly after researchers from Eötvös Lorand University in Budapest discovered that flat-faced dogs retain the sleep pattern of a puppy.
While the reason behind this is still unclear, researchers say “there may be several reasons.”
“What's even more interesting is that it seems as though flat-faced dogs have retained a puppy sleep pattern, similar to newborns who spend more time in REM sleep,” said Professor Eniko Coppini, lead author of the study.
These new numbers come shortly after researchers from Eötvös Lorand University in Budapest discovered that flat-faced dogs retain a puppy's sleep pattern (a stock photo of a pug is superimposed in the photo).
“They have large heads and eyes, high foreheads and small noses because we humans find these features irresistibly attractive.” This is how children get us to take care of them.
The team suggests that it is “possible” that the selection of infant-like dogs has also led to infantilization of brain function.
“This is a bold assumption at the moment,” Professor Kippini added.
“However, what is very likely is that brachycephalic breeding leads to potentially harmful changes in brain function.”
(tags for translation) Daily Mail