A vet has urged people not to get a certain type of dog in the future as he branded the most popular dog breed in America as being a ‘massive animal welfare issue’
Dogs reign supreme as America’s favorite pet, and among all the different breeds, one particular type has secured the top position. Each year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes its rankings of the most popular dog breeds using AKC registration data from the previous year.
The French Bulldog has come out on top as America’s most favored dog breed for the third consecutive year. Statistics show that one out of every seven new dog registrations in the US is a French Bulldog, as reported by Pets Care. This specific breed is recognized for being lively, intelligent and flexible, doing well alongside couples, families and single people alike.
Despite this wide appeal, a veterinarian named Ben has warned dog fans against getting a French Bulldog going forward.
He regularly posts pet guidance, details and his personal viewpoints across social media platforms.
In a recent TikTok video, he stated: “I am a practising small animal vet and I want to use the time that I have your attention for in this video to convince you never to get a French Bulldog, a bulldog or a pug.
“Yes, they make wonderful companions but the fact that the French Bulldog is the most popular dog breed in America right now is a massive animal welfare issue because these breeds are not anatomically, physiologically or behaviourally normal dogs, and that causes a lot of suffering.”
Ben noted that research has recorded the lifespan for French Bulldogs to be as brief as four-and-a-half years and seven to seven-and-a-half for bulldogs and pugs.
He shared that these breeds are “not a wise choice” if you want a dog that will stay with you for a long period of time.
The vet continued: “They’re really expensive not just to buy but to own. Pet insurance premiums are extremely high because of all of their predictable, well documented health problems.”
Ben has observed that due to the costly insurance, numerous owners of these breeds opt not to buy coverage, and when a serious medical issue arises, they cannot afford treatment for their pets, or they accumulate substantial loans or credit card debt.
The AKC notes that like all flat-faced breeds, French Bulldogs are susceptible to breathing issues and struggle in hot or humid conditions.
These types of breeds are also more vulnerable to anaesthesia, and French Bulldogs occasionally develop eye problems, including cherry eye, juvenile cataracts or entropion.
Skin allergies and autoimmune skin conditions are known to develop as well, according to the AKC.
The small animal vet also disclosed that male dogs of this breed frequently have difficulty mating with females, resulting in many breeders using artificial insemination, and he mentioned that many French Bulldogs cannot deliver naturally, so if you buy one of these puppies, it’s likely that the mother had to be “anaesthetized and cut open just for you to have the dog that you want to have.”
In his TikTok video caption, Ben added: “America’s most popular dog breed is a health disaster. But information is power.
“This is my attempt to convince as many people as possible who see this video not to get one of these dogs in future.”
He did, however, acknowledge that there are dogs of the breeds he mentioned in his video that need rescuing and require loving homes.
He encouraged owners to care for their flat-faced dogs as best they can.
Several dog owners responded to the video, with one sharing: “I had my beautiful Frenchie Luna put to sleep in May just shy of her 14th birthday.
“Too many back street breeders around because they increased in popularity. I wouldn’t buy one now, but don’t regret the wonderful life we had together.”
It’s essential to do your own independent research before deciding on any specific breed.
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