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. So many dogs needing homes, including French Bulldogs! Adopt dont shop and all that. I hate backyard breeders, breeding for money, and puppy farming. Anyone who knowingly buys into it is a twat.

There's nothing wrong with the breed as it was supposed to be, but the "fashion" for the squished up facial features it has now is grotesque and cruel. However, as long as a god is loved and cared for then let them get in with it. I will never, ever give up my dogs and if that makes me selfish then crack on.

They can be lovely dogs--I used to dog sit a frenchie. She was adopted. You have to be careful in extreme temps with them. Because of the health issues I would only adopt one (like any dog I suppose) rather than pay a breeder and encourage them to keep breeding them.

Brachy airway obstruction syndrome. Those videos where they have their heads resting when sleeping - because they can’t breathe... many spinal problems due to misshapen vertebrae. Eye ulcers or pop out as they have protruding bulbous eyes. Many have allergic skin disease so hideous itching yeasty skin and skin folds. But it’s fine because they look cute. As well as the breeding having to have a csection....

I think potential dog owners should have to take a course of classes in dog care, prove they have the finances to give a decent level of care, pet insurance needs to be a legal requirement along with an annual health check at the vets. Then and only then should people be given an annual licence to keep a dog (or any pet). And breeders should be banned from letting any dogs go to new homes in the month of December.

I can't bear people's attitudes to having a dog........ I keep off the Doghouse section most of the time as it's too upsetting to read. Regular threads about dogs left alone for hours on end and rehomed the moment someone does a positive pregnancy test.... because it's only a dog. Fucking cruel.

Ha ha OP, my dd is a vet student so still very idealistic and passionate. You won't be able to compete with her in judging some breeds .

But actually it's quite sad, a lot of dogs suffer to look a certain way. Eg. I cannot see why a bulldog or French bulldog should be any less charming and clever with a straighter nose.

Sorry, OP, not your problem. The decision is up to your SIL, not you.
If it backfires, please make sure you are not cast as the victim. That is, let your sil make her own life decisions.

I won’t say anything to her, our relationship isn’t like that (clearly ). I am very much judging and tutting from the sidelines!

I have had a lot of rescue dogs. I currently have a rescue frenchie and although I have had dogs with health problems before this is the only dog I am really worried about. They are a lovely breed but the health issues are horrendous and the breathing issues are just a part of that it is very common for them to have allergy’s, eye problems, soft palate, discs, joint and growth issues, ear and breathing problems and not uncommon for them to have multiple issues that can only be solved with expensive surgery. If you want one then rescue are full of them but you need very deep pockets.

Span1elsRock Totally agree!

she is. YANBU. the world is full of these shallow idiots sadly.

Muminabun Poor pup. Sorry to hear they’re going through all those problems

YANBU

My (usually v sensible) friend got a pug puppy a few years ago.

She was an amazing owner, but the dog was so badly designed that it seems like it’s physiology was deliberately bred to ensure an early death.

We took a leisurely walk around the park and 3/4 way round she had to put him in her backpack as he was struggling to breathe. She also bought goggles to prevent his bulging eyeballs being shredded by brambles.

He died at 3, at no shock to anyone.

I’m not a dog person, but encouraging the demand for breeds like pugs and frenchies is indefensible.

@playmat they usually end up in rescue because they have issues that owners can’t afford to fix. It is not uncommon for them to die early. Breeders will breed from dogs with poor airways no problem as when the pups are vet checked all is well but when they start to mature, which takes 2 years that can be when the real issues start to surface. I knew what I was taking on with this dog and I don’t regret it. The rescue knew he had Unknown’s and were upfront about it and he is doing well so fingers crossed.

vet told me that only time these poor short nosed dogs can breathe properly is when they are hooked up to oxygen. So so many health problems. We should be ashamed to do this to such lovely dogs. Only solution is stop buying and start breeding with long nosed dogs. Talk to your sister her children will be upset when dog is sick.
www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2018/05/02/french-bulldog-owners-should-expect-lifetime-expensive-vets/

Muminabun ending up in rescues because their problems are too expensive to fix. That’s so sad - and part of my problem with the breed! Amazing that you took your dog on knowing all that, and are giving them a great home.

I am also judgemental about those who breed from and buy dogs which are basically deformed. But I tell you what, I had my eyes opened watching a clip of Mountain Vet on Gogglebox on Friday. The poor vet had to literally wank off a bulldog cos it couldn’t mate the natural way. I was torn between laughing and being disgusted and upset. I had no idea that vets had to do stuff like that! Why on earth would a vet agree to do that?!?

I wonder if you have any proper education on dogs/ animals in general to be making such assumptions? I have a French bulldog,not because they are a 'designer breed' but because of the temperament, needs and personality of the breed fit into our family life, after extensive research for over 4 years and searching high and low for the correct licenced breader (a vet) and viewing hundreds of pups we found our fit and paid the money that such quality and care is worth, problems come when they can't afford the dog they think they want and buy from irresponsible breeders who don't know what they are doing, they are a wonderful breed, amazing companions, easy to care for, easy to train, full of character and a best friend for my autistic daughter, bottom line, if she isn't paying over £2500 at least, she is feeding iriponsible breeding, but there is no way this breed and it's history should disappear due to people being stupid

My sil has another designer breed and after year initial £2.5k to buy him she’s spent double that fixing various health problems. The dog’s had 3 surgery’s.

It’s not trained either, I keep coming up with excuses why we can’t take our dog round as they won’t train it and can’t control it. But if you look at her Instagram it’s full of #puplife or whatever and #inthewars every time he has cone as if it’s not joint replacement.

Absolutely grim breed of dog. Mostly fucking mental too.

My mother has two and they’ve cost thousands upon thousands in vet bills. Breathing issues, interdigital cysts and allergies to pretty much everything. They need their arses wiping because they have no tails and a get build up if they aren’t wiped after every toileting. I’m not a fan.
In my mother’s defence she did get them before they became the trendy breed but they are so problem prone health wise.
They’re also incredibly stupid (at least these two are) they are nigh on impossible to recall and anything beyond simple commands is ignored.

Unfortunately you will always get stupid people in anything in life, research and education should be at the forefront of any conversation involving any animal, my Frenchie is true to original breed standards, she has a longer nose 2' and no wrinkles above her nose at all, round nostrils, perfect breathing and doesn't even snore we had a full body scan and x-ray to check for spinal problems, and have done every 6 months and no sign of any issues ever, no skin or digestive issues happy bouncy dog, I put this all down to education correct breeding, care and food, people need to be prepared for a life long commitment time and money wise

I am 50, have a french bulldog who is not a vanity or accessory pet... he is 5 and the most loving and great compaion dog you could have, have not had to go to the vets other than his yearly boosters, he is healthy, happy and worth having.

@GrumpyHoonMain That has got to be one of the most ridiculous things I have read on here, and that's saying something.

What a sanctimonious and ignorant opinion.