Why animal welfare charities are urging people to not get bulldogs

By Ashley Pemberton via SWNS

Would-be dog owners are being urged to not buy bulldogs over fears their breeding causes severe health problems amid a surge in demand during the pandemic.

The UK's largest animal welfare charity, the RSPCA, has warned flat-faced breeds of dogs are prone to breathing issues and other conditions due to their "extreme features."

The RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) launched a campaign called 'Save Our Breath' to urge pet owners to: "Stop seeing these pets as cute and recognize the serious health issues they face."

Chief vet Caroline Allen said: “Our desire for cuteness and the selection for shorter, flatter faces - known as brachycephaly - has resulted in dogs who struggle to breathe.

“We understand why there is so much love out there for these breeds.

"But it’s wrong that we’re knowingly breeding for features which compromise their basic health and welfare.”

The charity said the excessive soft tissue causes obstruction in their airways and their abnormally narrowed nostrils and windpipes leave them gasping for air.

It caused the dogs to struggle to breathe and sleep, the charity says.

Flat-faced breeds also face eye problems, skin concerns due to excessive wrinkles, and painful back conditions due to their corkscrew tails.

It comes after a British bulldog called Cleo was taken to an RSPCA branch struggling with breathing and a condition and an inflamed face.

The charity has launched a campaign to raise £2,500 ($3,257) for surgery to help widen the four-year-old pooch's nostrils and remove tissues from her mouth and throat.

Rescuers said Cleo - who also had an eye removed - was among a growing number of brachycephalic dogs coming into their care.

Branch chief executive Mary McSherry said: “Cleo is one of a growing number of brachycephalic dogs - or dogs with flat faces - coming into the RSPCA’s care with severe health problems due to the extreme features they’ve been bred for.

“Poor Cleo is only four but her life is being severely impacted by the health problems she’s plagued with."

The breed has seen a 323% rise in registrations across the US since 2003, and can be expensive and difficult to care for, leading to abandonment, according to the American Kennel Club.

Meanwhile the number of French bulldogs has also soared.

Last month another British bulldog, called Miss Pickles, had such severe breathing difficulties that the lightest exercise could cause her to collapse and "turn blue."

She was yet another dog that found it "impossible" to carry out normal activities such as walking, playing, or even sleeping, the charity warned.

Other animal protection charities have voiced fears flat-faced dogs could be abandoned or relinquished to charity as their owners struggle to cope with costly veterinary bills as the cost of living soars.