The Price of 'Cute': Designer Dog Breeds Suffer Health Issues, Strain Shelters

The pursuit of "cute" physical traits in "designer" dog breeds has led to significant health issues, resulting in a growing number of these animals ending up in shelters. Breeds like French bulldogs, pugs, English bulldogs, and shih tzus, once popular accessories for celebrities and a symbol of modern trends, are now facing immense care challenges and costs.

This trend gained momentum in the 2000s with small dogs and those with pushed-in faces becoming fashionable. While the specific breeds popular with celebrities have shifted over the years, the focus on flat-faced dogs intensified in the 2010s. This popularity, however, has been accompanied by a dramatic increase in abandoned animals and those taken in by shelters due to the genetic health problems associated with their selectively bred appearance.

A recent report from the RSPCA highlights the scale of the problem. The organization took in 234 French bulldogs last year, a stark contrast to just six in 2016, marking an increase of 3,800% within a decade. The number of pugs and pug mixes nearly tripled, while English bulldogs and their crosses saw a 1,450% rise in shelter intake, according to The Independent.

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A large part of the problem is financial, as people end up paying more and more for vet bills.

Laura Alwen, an adoption and welfare manager at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, noted that financial burdens are a major factor. "A large part of the problem is financial, as people end up paying more and more for vet bills," she stated. Battersea currently houses 13 French bulldogs.

These flat-faced dogs, known as brachycephalic breeds, possess skulls altered through selective breeding to achieve their desired appearance. A 2022 report indicated these breeds have among the shortest life expectancies. Many suffer from severe respiratory problems because their soft tissues have not adapted to the changes in skull bone structure. This can lead to conditions like Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS), requiring costly surgical interventions.

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Their skull is rounder, but flattened at the front, and many of their problems are related to breathing difficulties. This happens because, essentially, we have modified the skull bones, but the soft tissues inside have not changed.