Sister-in-law is getting a french bulldog puppy and am feeling very judgemental about it!

[Playmat]

From all I’ve read, this breed is riddled with health problems. And the mothers can’t give birth, they have to have c-sections.

I think my sister-in-law is being superficial to get such a breed. I think she likes them because celebrities have them.

I’m being a judgey cow, aren’t I? But who would get such a breed? It must be a vanity thing, right?

YANBU. Your SIL is a prat.

Why does anyone get a dog? Keeping any pet unless you are involved as a RSPCA or similar volunteer is an inherent act of selfishness.

What dog would you recommend

I wonder if your SIL is my colleague who not only is getting a french bulldog puppy but is getting it as a Christmas present for her children.

I am not a dog person but even I know about the health problems that the breed has.

I admit to silently hoiking up my judgey pants.

A rescue would be best, Pristine.

Most breeds are susctiple to different health problems....

YANBU

Mine are rescues grumpy. My nan fell and couldn't look after her dog so we had her to stop her being pts. My mum's dog was similar. Our guinea pigs were the same as was our gecko. But yeah I'm selfish ffs

Any dog can have problems!! Labs can have elbow and hip dysplasia

Yeah. They are a really engaging breed but the way they've been bred in this country is irresponsible. I lived in France many years ago, and fell in love with the breed, but when I found out how badly their health can affect them, I decided not to get one as it just encourages the breeders. I would judge her too. I only get my pets from the rescue anyway.

My SiL has just got a (admittedly very cute) designer breed. I have been silently judging them ever since. Both her and DH work full time, have never had a puppy before. Any reputable rescue or breeder would never have let them have one.

I know someone who has two. They are fine, health wise. Better than my mum's bloody poodle, which is always at the vet!

So what should happen to the breed then? Let them die out? Not allow breeding to keep the line? And for the breeders who don't care about the poor dogs health? They might continue breeding them, and if people dont buy them because of all the issues above, what will they do with the puppies? Maybe your SIL might be a decent dog owner, maybe not, but I'm not sure what the solution is. FWIW, i know many families with french bulldogs, they are great owners and neither are breeding from them, there are purely pets. Many celebrities have different breeds of dogs, i think YABU to say she's only getting this breed because of a celebrity. YANBU to realise the issues with the breed though. I dont know a solution.

Dogs are amazing, I don’t begrudge her that love. But French Bulldogs (and other similar) shouldn’t be bred anymore, period, in my opinion.

proudpeacock - she IS giving the puppy to her kids as an early Christmas present... do you live in London...?!

grumpy I do know what you mean. But surely a breed that is constantly ill, that can’t naturally reproduce or give birth, is the ultimate vanity pet?!

YANBU - never understood people who proclaim to be dog lovers and then buy one that can't breathe / walk / breed properly for the sake of their looks. Baffles me

Could be worse, could be a pug. Poor wee things.

I have a English bulldog and they are supposed to have even worse health problems but he's absolutely fine unless you count being grumpy I grew up with bulldogs so know all about the bully breed, they should educate themselves before they buy and get very good insurance.

Sorry but you're a bit judgey!! People decide they like different breeds for different reasons.im drawn to labs and retrievers but could never get them because they're too big given my kids' ages, and one of my children has very bad asthma so those breeds won't suit. Also, why would she want her dog to have puppies?

Yanbu. It’s a fashion accessory.

YANBU. But I judge anyone who buys pedigree dogs as pets when the world is already full of dogs that need rehoming. Dog breeding is just grotesque human vanity.

Midnightmisssuki I’m ok with the breed dying out. It’s a grotesque, vanity project. They suffer from breathing problems and they can’t mate on their own, so natural selection and all that.

stayathomer I’m not saying she’ll want her dog to have puppies. But the puppy’s mother will have been put through an insemination and a c-section so my SIL can get her puppy. That’s a bit twisted, don’t you think?

I know that all dog breeding is a vanity project, and lots have their health problems, but these dogs feels worse.

Maybe I am being a judgey cow. But my SIL eats a plant-based diet, goes on about saving the planet (I approve of both things). But this dog breed makes her look so vain and image-obsessed.

Agree. Probably encouraging puppy farming too. Get a rescue

Sorry but you're a bit judgey!! People decide they like different breeds for different reasons

& people breed dogs for different reasons, some of them crap, & harmful to the dogs in question.
YANBU, OP. SiL is perpetuating a breeding practice that is ok with breathing problems & spinal disorders purely to satisfy fashion & vanity.

(Also, I am a dog owner so I’m definitely not judging dog owners. I have a rescue poodle cross.)