[reraven123]

So they just announced that Labs have been replaced by French Bulldogs as the most popular breed. I was quite pleased that after this announcement our local news station did a story on why French Bulldogs should not exist as a breed. They listed the myriad health problems starting with the fact that they cannot breed without AI or give birth without C sections, and going on to the many issues that make a lot of these dog live a miserable life. French and American Bulldogs are already banned in some countries.

They can be very sweet and funny little dogs, but at what price?

 

[Spottytoes]

I saw that too. I love bulldogs so much. My grandparents had a beautiful English Bulldog named Tinker Bell. I loved that snorty, funny, sweet dog. She died when she was 6. 😢
I would never purchase any bull dog breed for all the reasons above. Now that they are the number one breed I’m guessing things will only get worse for the breed.😔

 

[Happy'sDad]

These, and other short-faced dogs, are mostly restricted from flying - even in cabin. This might not affect most bulldog owners, but I've met military families who had to leave their dogs behind after receiving overseas orders. It a shame that characteristics which make these breed popular, also put them at a heath disadvantage. I do like pugs though..

 

[PeggyTheParti]

This is really sad.

I do understand their popularity. I’ve only met very sweet, easy Frenchies, and they’re ridiculously cute. My last girl Gracie was so relaxed around them (and pugs), and she wasn’t generally a fan of strange dogs.

But then I have to wonder if they’re so mellow because they really can’t breathe well. That’s a distressing thought.

 

[DogtorDoctor]

I've seen posts by Frenchie breeders (good ones) saying that something like 95% of these new registrations are BYBs. I would totally believe that number. It's a very sad day for a breed that is already rife with health issues. Breathing is the big one, but I honestly couldn't say for sure if I have a single Frenchie patient without skin allergies. Also, both the males and females have reproductive issues.

Popularity is never good for any breed, but I'm afraid of what will happen to Frenchies over the next ten years. :/

 

[Dechi]

I've seen posts by Frenchie breeders (good ones) saying that something like 95% of these new registrations are BYBs. I would totally believe that number. It's a very sad day for a breed that is already rife with health issues. Breathing is the big one, but I honestly couldn't say for sure if I have a single Frenchie patient without skin allergies. Also, both the males and females have reproductive issues.

Popularity is never good for any breed, but I'm afraid of what will happen to Frenchies over the next ten years. :/

I’ve seen a breeder, in Germany maybe, I can’t remember, who’s breeding Frenchies with longer muzzles. I don’t know if he’s a worthy breeder or ethical, but if all serious breeders were to decide to fix the breed, it could be done.

But nobody will, as long as judges give ribbons to Frenchies as they are now. Dog Clubs should be leaders in this transformation.

 

[Phoebe's person]

It happened to Jack Russell Terriers too. You wouldn't believe how many people wanted pups after the Senfield TV show. In the right hands and the right breeding they are wonderful, highly intelligent dogs. They are a working, hunting breed naturally. In the wrong hands they are too much to handle for many.

 

[Happy'sDad]

It happened to Jack Russell Terriers too. You wouldn't believe how many people wanted pups after the Senfield TV show. In the right hands and the right breeding they are wonderful, highly intelligent dogs. They are a working, hunting breed naturally. In the wrong hands they are too much to handle for many.

I really miss mine

 

[Phoebe's person]

I really miss mine

View attachment 505422 View attachment 505423

I have one now, Phoebe's Uncle Fearghus age 15, and lost one at age 18 over the Christmas holidays. I've owned and field trialed them for over 30 years. Yours are lovely pups for sure!

 

[Happy'sDad]

I have one now, Phoebe's Uncle Fearghus age 15, and lost one at age 18 over the Christmas holidays. I've owned and field trialed them for over 30 years. Yours are lovely pups for sure!

Ginger, on the left, preferred racing and lure coursing. She was a rocket on both land and water. Spanky, on the right, was my ratter and preferred groundwork. They went in '20 and '21 respectively.

 

[Footprints&pawmarks]

Sign of the times --
We got my husband's sweet dachshund from a puppy mill who wanted to get rid of him, their breeding male, because they were switching to French bulldogs. "More money in them" said the greeder.

 

[Mufar42]

My friends daughter has a Frenchie, relatively good health so far at 5 years old and really sweet. Overtime a breed gets po polar though they end up overbred by BYB and overall health goes down. Most bulldogs have many health issues to begin with. I pet sit for two neighborhood bulldogs. Lovely friendly dogs, not overly active but everyday twice a day eye drops, nose blah, wrinkle creams, allergy meds (apolguel), arthritis meds. One is 9 years old, old per owner who is a long time bully owner and the other is 5. Neither can tolerate the heat here, so no walks and only briefly outdoors for potty, playtime is inside. Though the older really doesn't play much but the 5 year old will for about 15 min. Then they go to sleep. A good dog for an inactive person I would think who has plenty of money for vets.

 

[reraven123]

A good dog for an inactive person I would think who has plenty of money for vets.

Maybe good for the inactive person, but a miserable life for the dog afflicted with allergies, arthritis, breathing problems, cannot tolerate heat or cold, bad skin and eyes, etc etc etc

 

[TerraFirma]

Good for that news team to give the full facts.

I have read that the UK Kennel Club is now pushing for more functional facial structure on Frenchies and other brachiocephalic breeds and judges are supposed to mark down for flatness of face. I don't know if this is actually being implemented though.

The 20th C. did a number on the structure of many breeds if you go back and look at the original breed specimens vs. now.

 

[twyla]

Sad to say they have merle, phantom colored and fuzzy French bull dogs now.
They are such sweet dogs with a host if medical issues

 

[ShamrockPoodle]

I have a neighbor in Florida who has two French Bulldogs. It is too hot here for them—we were talking and one started overheating . She just keeps them inside all of the time and doesn’t walk them.

 

[Poofy]

That is a bit sad.

My aunt has one, and he has so many allergies and nearly died from overheating once. I feel bad for him.

A friend has a pug and while he has the best personality ever, along with wonderful manners, she doesn’t think she will get another because of the reverse sneezing and other affects of the short snout.

I myself have a dog that’s 3/4 Boston terrier and 1/4 jack russell terrier (love her!) and am forever thankful that she got the JRT snout. She’s a handful and has a lot of JRT traits that are way too much for most people, and at 8 1/2 she has enough energy to drive a lot of people up the wall. Yet it’s half of what she used to have...lol

Personally I won’t ever buy a short shouted dog, but my neighbors got a frenchie puppy a month back. Hoping it doesn’t have too many problems.