French Bulldogs & Pugs could be BANNED in UK in crack down on ‘dangerous’ breeding that sparks health woes
FRENCH BULLDOGS and Pugs could be banned in Britain after a pet charity vowed to crack down on some of the nation's most adored pooches.
The Blue Cross has accused breeders of a "vicious cycle of over-breeding" which they say has sparked a dangerous health crisis in flat-faced mutts.
The charity - founded in 1897 - are demanding both legislative and non-legislative action to stamp out "poor breeding" which leads to major health defects in popular breeds like English Bulldogs.
The calls could result in new laws being drawn up which will significantly impact the appearance and availability of brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds in the UK.
Health issues of much-loved Pugs and French Bulldogs include eye disease, skin disease, obstructed breathing, and spinal deformities.
The charity told The Sun Online this is now unacceptable and such breeds are "not living full and happy lives".
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The animal charity raised concerns after it was revealed that flat-faced breeds now make up a whopping 20 PER CENT of dogs in Britain.
They added how the explosion in their popularity in the UK - aided by "cute" advertisements and prevalence on social media - has not helped the issue of poor breeding.
It said the idea that such dogs are cute, for example when they snore, is a problem as this is actually because "they cannot breathe".
It comes as in the last two years alone, Blue Cross vets claim to have treated over 5,000 brachycephalic pets for dangerous health problems.
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They warn this number will continue to rise following a marked jump in dog buying over the pandemic.
Becky Thwaites, Head of Public Affairs at Blue Cross told The Sun Online how the charity has begun a full scale lobbying effort of British MPs to bring an end to what they have branded a "wellbeing crisis".
She said: "We have already started contacting MPs.
"Ultimately Blue Cross is determined to see the end of the poor breeding of flat faced dogs and are considering all options both legislative and non-legislative to achieve this."
Ms Thwaites claimed the charity "don't want to ban the breed, we want healthier breeds".
Blue Cross is determined to see the end of the poor breeding of flat faced dogs and are considering all options
Becky Thwaites, Blue Cross
The call follows similar demands in Australia to ban flat-faced breeds because "their basic existence is one of suffering".
Like in Australia, Blue Cross want breeders in the U.K. to be required to have certification issued by vets to ensure their animals don't have any health problems that could be passed down in breeding.
The Blue Cross told The Sun Online how the plight of some French Bulldogs such as Lila - who was diagnosed with a 3/6 heart murmur, pulmonic stenosis - genetic in the breed - is why they want action.
The pup - who came into the care of the charity - will need to be constantly monitored and have its exercise limited by new owner Elesha and her partner who agreed to take her on.
Elesha told The Sun Online: “When I looked further into the health problems facing French bulldogs it was really upsetting.
"I don’t know why anyone would deliberately breed dogs who will suffer all their lives.
"Breeders must know the issues facing these breeds and conditions like Lila’s, which may shorten her life, so why would they continue to breed them like this?”
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But not everyone agrees such swift action should be taken and have called on campaigners to consider the issue pragmatically.
Dan Smith, who owns - a social media sensation with almost 70,000 Instagram followers - says the issue is a tough one.
He told the Sun Online: "I understand where people's concerns come from but they can get a little blinded by the facts.
"All dogs have health problems and if we carried on this way, there would be no dogs left - it seems other dogs have a pass."
"If there is scientific evidence then decisions must be in the best interest of the breeds", he added.
Dan stressed Pangpang's health is his absolute top priority and when he bought the four-year-old toy dog - the breeding was the first thing he checked.
Bill Lambert, Health expert at The Kennel Club and founding member of the UK Brachycephalic Working Group, said: “Dogs with exaggerated physical features, bred and bought irresponsibly, are one of The Kennel Club’s biggest concerns.
"Health problems in brachycephalic breeds have certainly been exacerbated by huge increases in popularity and sadly, certain exaggerations that are perceived to look ‘cute’ are now seen as normal.
“However we don’t agree that a ‘ban’ on brachycephalic breeds is the solution to this complex issue.
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"This could further fuel the crisis of irresponsible breeders, illegal puppy smuggling and uninformed puppy buyers and drive the breeding and buying of these very popular dogs entirely underground, making it impossible for those invested in animal welfare to have any impact."
He added: “We also need evidence-based and practical tools, like The Kennel Club-funded Respiratory Function Grading Scheme, to help responsible breeders to improve brachycephalic health, and to learn more about complex breathing diseases."
