CLEVELAND — For 31 years the Labrador Retriever held the American Kennel Club's top spot for most popular breeds. That is until the French Bulldog took over in 2022. While some "Frenchie" fans consider the designation bragging rights, others see the flat-faced breed's rise in popularity cause for concern.
Listen closely to a French bulldog and you will likely hear it. It's the sound of man tinkering with nature. The dog's snorting and wheezing is the noisy result of decades of selective breeding.
"They have funny faces. But that's a problem," said veterinarian John Carr who is based in Mesa Arizona.
“They didn’t choose this life. They didn’t ask for any of this,” said Mo Slusher of the Arizona-based nonprofit Freedom Frenchie Rescue. Slusher and her two sons care for up to a dozen unwanted Frenchies and English Bulldogs at any given time. That includes tending to their unique — and often very expensive — medical needs.
Bulldogs and other flat-faced breeds get their loud, labored breathing from a condition known brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome. The dogs have been bred to have shortened skulls but still have excess skin and soft tissue, including in their mouths. Nares and soft palate surgery can offer relief but can cost several thousands of dollars.
In addition to respiratory issues, flat-faced breeds are prone to eye problems including corneal ulcers, dry eye, cherry eye and conjunctivitis. Skin allergies are common too.
“I always tell people if you plan to get a bulldog, prepare to have a good relationship with your veterinarian,” Carr said.
The breed's rising popularity has had a trickle-down effect for shelters and Frenchie-specific rescues. Slusher says she's seen an uptick in surrenders.
"Everyone started backyard breeding," Slusher said. "When people want to make money really fast, this is what happens."
Slusher has a house full of rescued and surrendered Frenchies. They come to her weekly, often neglected.
With ailments that often go on untreated for too long, it often makes the vet bills even higher.
"Once they become popular, they start to be line-bred, in-bred and just start developing more trouble," Dr. Carr said.
Concerns over so-called "breathing impaired breeds" prompted Norway and the Netherlands to restrict their breeding altogether.
And a first-of-its-kind bill in New Hampshire this year called for limits to breeding dogs with "short noses" that "cause suffering." Ultimately, the bill failed.
Dr. Carr hopes the industry does a better job regulating itself with responsible practices.
In the meantime, animal rescue organizations hope that flat-nosed breed fans will consider helping, by adopting or fostering instead of buying from a breeder.
Here are some rescues working with Frenchies and other flat-nosed breeds:
- Badass Bulldog Rescue (Ohio based)
- Buckeye Bulldog (Ohio based)
- French Bulldog Rescue Network (Massachusetts-based)
- Short Noses Only Rescue Team (SNORT)
- American Bulldog Rescue