PEOPLE in the West Midlands think breeding dogs with genetic health problems is unacceptable.
A new poll shows that 70 per cent are opposed to breeding dogs such as french bulldogs and pugs.
Despite this, ownership of flat-faced dog breeds has still increased in recent years.
The RSPCA’s ‘Born To Suffer’ campaign was launched as Crufts concluded over the weekend and dogs are in the spotlight.
It hoped new images showcasing the health issues these flat-faced dogs face will sop people buying them.
The campaign urges people to sign a pledge against supporting extreme breeding, after new research shows French bulldogs are the most popular breed for buyers1.
Esme Wheeler, dog expert at the RSPCA, said: “We love all dogs at the RSPCA, but we can’t hide behind the fact that flat-faced breeds suffer because of how they look.
“To put it bluntly, they are imprisoned in a body which is painful, inhibiting and prevents the dog from being a dog.
“The three breeds with the greatest health and welfare issues – pugs, English bulldogs and French bulldogs – have become increasingly ‘normalised’ and celebrated across advertising and promotion and social media.”
She added that these breeds are usually the ones which come up first when googling ‘cute dogs’ and that social media’s exposure has fuelled the demand and normalised something which is ‘totally abnormal’.
The most common issue for these dogs is called, brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS), which is a lifelong airway disease that makes it difficult for dogs to breath.
Research shows that flat nosed breeds have a shorter life span, with French bulldogs having an estimated 4.5 years.
Esme added: “BOAS can have a huge impact on a dog’s life and I find it one of the most saddening aspects, given that dogs are olfactory animals so their primary sense is their smell and scent.
“This filters down into every part of how they experience the world.
“Putting this animal in a body in which half its nose has been reduced is so incredibly sad.”
