Staying up to date with common, let alone rare, health risks in susceptible dog breeds can be difficult. In this regular feature, our Educational Partner, International Partnership for Dogs (IPFD) signposts resources on a particular breed and highlights breed-specific diseases.
Meet the French Bulldogs – an extreme conversation
There is nothing middle-of-the-road about this breed. From breed clubs posting videos of running and romping dogs; to activists highlighting dogs with extreme conformation and compromised health and welfare; to A-list celebs cuddling their favourite Frenchie; to recent research highlighting the extreme attachment of owners, in spite of high vet bills, emotional trauma and chronic suffering of the dog – facts and feelings push boundaries in all directions. Frenchie numbers have undergone logarithmic increases in recent years in many countries. This has occurred despite poignant educational programs aimed at convincing the public NOT to buy these dogs, and industry/ media NOT to promote them. For disease and population statistics and other resources see Get a GRIHP! on French Bulldogs.
An intensifying focus on research on Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS), population-based statistics – on risk for not only respiratory problems, but also eye, skin, immune, locomotor problems, and shocking rates of spinal and neurological issues – do not seem to sway those who love these dogs. And they are lovable.
Mounting pressure from the public and welfare groups, political agendas, and true concern has fostered numerous legislative actions relative to brachycephalics aimed variously at restricting breeding, changing standards, and addressing compromised welfare. Push back from the pedigreed-show community has been marked; veterinary organizations are weighing in. Clinicians are challenged to address the health and welfare problems of individual dogs without either normalizing significant issues or creating a disconnect with the doting owner; and they must consider ethical implications of treatment and surgery in these dogs.
Veterinary professionals and organizations must understand the complexity of these issues and determine how they best can serve society, individuals and, most importantly, the dogs, in these challenging times.
The International Partnership for Dogs (IPFD) is a non-profit working for dog health, well-being, and welfare. This article has been prepared by its CEO, Dr Brenda Bonnett, DVM PhD
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More resources to help you:
- Packer RMA, O’Neill DG, Fletcher F, Farnworth MJ. Great expectations, inconvenient truths, and the paradoxes of the dog-owner relationship for owners of brachycephalic dogs. PLoS One. 2019;14(7):e0219918. Published 2019 Jul 19. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0219918
- Packer RMA, O’Neill DG, Fletcher F, Farnworth MJ. Come for the looks, stay for the personality? A mixed methods investigation of reacquisition and owner recommendation of Bulldogs, French Bulldogs and Pugs. PLoS One. 2020;15(8):e0237276. Published 2020 Aug 26
- Challenges for Pedigree Dogs: Regulatory Enforcement of Brachycephalic Dogs in the Netherlands
- Get a GRIHP! on French Bulldogs – Details on the breed, disease and population stats and more resources.