Dog shows to hound out French bulldogs with ‘deformed’ flat faces
French bulldogs - one of the go-to breeds for any celebrity in need of a photogenic four-legged companion - will be penalised at dog shows if they display the exaggerated flat features that put their health at risk.
The Kennel Club has introduced changes to their breed standards for “Frenchies” to help tackle the growing problem of the hugely popular dogs being born with extreme flat-faced features.
Under the amended breed standards introduced on Wednesday, the French bulldogs’ well-defined muzzle should “be clearly viewed in profile” and its nostrils should be “visibly” open.
The Kennel Club says that as a “flat-faced” brachycephalic breed, Frenchies can face severe health problems such as poor breathing, and eye and skin-fold problems, and that these had been compounded by disreputable breeders exploiting the surge in demand for the breed “with no regard” for their health or welfare.
Bill Lambert, health and welfare expert at The Kennel Club, said: “Certain health problems in French bulldogs have been impacted by their huge increase in popularity, and we continue to be extremely concerned that exaggerations which are perceived to create a ‘cute’ look or sound, have gradually become seen as normal and even desirable.
“These changes to the French bulldog breed standard aim to ensure it cannot be misinterpreted and that dogs are bred with their health and welfare as the absolute priority.”
Celebrity endorsement
French bulldogs have soared in popularity in recent years, with celebrities such as the Beckhams and Hollywood actress Reese Witherspoon regularly posting photographs of themselves and their pooches on social media. Other owners proudly displaying Frenchies in their timelines include Marcus Rashford, the Manchester United football and food poverty campaigner, and Hugh Jackman, star of the X-Men film franchise.
Figures show that since 2010, registration of French bulldogs with the Kennel Club has increased by 1,682 per cent.
The Kennel Club says it cannot simply ban the entry of “deformed” French bulldogs to its shows, as unhealthy exaggerated features needed to be confirmed in a face-to-face examination by a trained expert.
As a result of the changes, judges at shows, including the world-famous Crufts, will be required to mark down any dogs that have the problematic features.
A Kennel Club spokesperson added: “Dog shows can be an important lever for change by ensuring the public can see and recognise what a healthy and unexaggerated example of a breed looks like.
“We have training and education for judges, who have been informed of these updates to the breed standard and know that only the healthiest examples are rewarded at dog shows.”
Painful problems with breathing
The changes to the breed standard come after the Kennel Club developed its Respiratory Function Grading Scheme in 2019, in partnership with the University of Cambridge, to “support and encourage” the responsible breeding of French bulldogs and other brachycephalic breeds.
The scheme assesses a dog for the likelihood that it has BOAS (Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome), which can affect some French bulldogs, causing painful problems with breathing.
But experts have urged pet lovers to do their bit to undermine the market for poorly bred Frenchies and other breeds by shunning irresponsible breeders.
Dr Laura Hamilton, a veterinary surgeon and French bulldog breed health coordinator, added: “Many people love owning French bulldogs, but it’s crucial that the public is aware of the breed’s complex health concerns and prioritise health over what they might think looks ‘cute’, and that breeders do all they can to produce healthy puppies.
“Although these changes to the French bulldog breed standard are important, these days social media can often be influential on the way that dogs are bred to look, so we urge any would-be owners to fully research the breed before making any decisions, speak to experts, and find a responsible breeder who health screens their dogs.”
