"Ownership of some of these flat-faced breeds continues to rise at alarming levels" - Dr Dan O'Neill.

New figures show record-high registrations for some of the most popular breeds. 

Vets, animal charities and scientists are calling on the public to think twice buying a brachycephalic or ‘flat-faced’ dog, as puppy registrations for some of the most popular breeds soar to record levels.

Figures released by The Kennel Club show that during 2020, French bulldogs recorded their highest puppy registration figures since records began. French Bulldogs and Bulldogs rose in popularity by 17 per cent compared to 2019, with 39,266 French Bulldog puppies registered in 2020 and 11,594 Bulldog puppies, respectively. 

The figures also show that the French bulldog was one of the most-searched-for breeds via The Kennel Club’s ‘Find a Puppy’ tool during the pandemic, along with long-standing favourites such as the Labrador retriever and cocker spaniel. Searches for French bulldog puppies more than doubled between March and December 2020, compared to the same period in 2019.

Experts from the Brachycephalic Working Group - a body that includes charities, veterinary organisations, and scientists – are warning that the increased demand will worsen the health and welfare crisis these breeds are facing and further encourage the illegal trade in puppy farming.

Dr Dan O’Neill, chairman of the Brachycephalic Working Group, is calling on would-be owners to do their research and think about the health and welfare issues these dogs can experience.

“Ownership of some of these flat-faced breeds continues to rise to alarming levels, but as a dog-loving nation, we urgently need this bubble to burst,” he said. “The UK public have been sold a fantasy that ‘flat-faced’ breeds are cute, but the suffering endured by many of these dogs has been ignored. 

“As well as health issues such as struggling to breathe, many puppies sold in the UK are bred indiscriminately and many are farmed in appalling conditions, often outside the UK. With this in mind, we ask the UK public to ‘Stop and think before buying a flat-faced dog.’”

Bill Lambert, head of health and welfare at The Kennel Club and member of the BWG added: “If you have done extensive research on all the dogs and breeds out there, understand any health concerns, have thought carefully about these and still think a brachycephalic breed is right for you, it’s absolutely crucial to find a reputable breeder who puts health first.

“A good breeder will health test the parents before they are bred from and will always introduce potential new puppy owners to the mum, and ideally the dad, so that they can see if they have any exaggerated features such as overly short muzzles, partially closed nostrils or excessive skin folds, which are likely to be passed onto the pup and may contribute to health issues.”