Pugs and French bulldogs could be banned in UK over health concerns

Charities are calling for an end.

Campaigners in the UK are calling for a ban on all sales of French Bulldogs, Pugs and any other flat faced breed of pet. Animal charity Blue Cross says that anyone involved in the breeding and sale of brachycephalic dogs are guilty of a “vicious cycle of over breeding.” According to Becky Thwaites who is head of public affairs at the charity, they are currently starting to contact MPs on the issue. She told The Sun: “[We are] determined to see the end of the poor breeding of flat-faced dogs and are considering all options both legislative and non-legislative to achieve this." Blue Cross added that a rise in “cute” advertising of these breeds has led to an increase in demand for French Bulldogs and Pugs who are now being diagnosed with various health issues. The charity has recently launched a campaign, #EndTheTrend, which is asking that UK brands “commit by the end of 2022 to phasing out the use of any brachycephalic pets in their future advertisements." In the last number of years, there has been a huge push for animal charities to ban the breeding of these pets as they have evidence of serious health issues emerging. Brachycephalic pets, which refers to a short skull shape, can suffer from breathing problems, overheating, sleep apnoea, and eye diseases, to name a few. The Blue Cross's #EndTheTrend campaign says that: "More and more major British consumer brands are using brachycephalic (flat-faced) animals in their marketing and advertising, even if their products are unrelated. “By using brachycephalic pets in their advertisements, brands are indirectly contributing to the over-popularisation of these animals and, in turn, the extreme demand for flat-faced breeds." There has been a rise in flat faced animals in recent years as they are seen as “trendy” which has led to a huge increase in demand for breeds like French Bulldogs, Pugs, Boston Terriers, Persian Cats, and Lionheaded Rabbits. In 2021, flat faced breeds made up a fifth of the UK’s dogs.