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?

Ok... so wow where do I start.
Before we start on French Bulldogs .. the reason many people with children do not rehome dogs is for one reason and one reason only. With a rehomed dog you dont always know it's story and you dont know if it has any behavioural issues.
If you take that dog home and it has issues, 2 things can happen. 1 that poor dog gets marched back where it came from and the poor thing has more upset or 2 and much worse, it bites one of the children and its then got to be put to sleep!
Whilst I appreciate all checks etc are carried out you really never know how a dog is going to react in it's new surroundings.
As for French bulldogs, people are so narrow minded.
Yes some celebs have them, but they have many other breeds too!
Yes they can have health problems, but what dog doesnt.. or human may I add!
Yes you guessed it I have 2! And one is the daughter of my mum frenchie. (Roll the abuse)
My Frenchie fell pregnant with ease and delivered-naturally 7 beautiful pups! They were reared in the kitchen among our family and are all beautiful healthy frenchies.
I totally agree people should not breed for greed and that these are pets not money makers.
All around the country there are puppy farms where they breed all sorts of puppies and they are locked out in a shed.
What you all fail to point out is French bulldogs are super soppy, extremely gentle and incredibly tolerant, they make great companions for my children.
Maybe some of you need to do some real research before jumping on the ban wagon. Instead of seeing the price bracket and being jealous you cant afford one! Sorry but nine times out of ten that's the main issue!

YANBU.
Lovely dogs, horrible problems ( generally).
Has she done any research?
Popular breed for puppy farms and imports ( puppy smuggling is a problem)

YANBU

I have to reign myself in anytime I see a brachycephalic dog.

Some breedersnow try to go back to the 'vintage' or 'retro' (i.e. healthy) shape and state of these breeds for obious reasons.

Anyone who says 'different people like different dogs, stop being judgey' just shows that they treat their dog like the latest handbag rather than like a family member.

"Jealous you can't afford one" 🙄. FFS.

BUTTERS30 unfortunately buying a puppy doesn't give any guarantee that it will not bite as it gets older.
As I mentioned, the dogs of this breed I have met have been lovely sweet little things and I can understand why people would choose them as a pet. Unfortunately as a result of breeding over many years they can suffer from health issues related to having squished up faces, this can be corrected to a certain degree with surgery. This is expensive and people should be aware that buying a puppy might mean a very expensive trip to the vet, something that probably wouldn't be covered under insurance, as it is a known defect with the breed.

They're the most expensive, fashionable breed. I feel mean saying this but I have no idea why. My mum watches a lot of "super vet" type programs and it has loads of that kind of dog, and the very large breeds.

I went for a springer puppy, super soft, brown and white. She's bonkers and manic and she eats horse poo like it's a pile of Ferrero Rocher but she's a perfect family pet and I did tons of research before getting her re health probs, kids etc.

Am jealous can’t afford a house & a acreage to rescue as many dogs as possible. No am so far from jealous that I can’t afford a frenchy. That you believe this makes my piss boil. Stepping away, this thread is depressing

It's really none of your business... do you bitch about other people ?

There are a few in rescue looking for homes on Dogsblog , I apologise in advance for the hours you will spend on the site once you go there, looking at all the lovely dogs needing homes

I'm not sure that 'get a rescue' is always the answer, especially for a family with young children or those who aren't used to dogs. Rescued dogs can have behavioural problems including resource guarding, which isn't the best when you have young children.

Not to say that rescue dogs (I've had them!) can't be the best, most loyal, loving and wonderfully behaved dogs. But you don't know exactly what you are getting, and if you aren't experienced with dogs this can cause problems.

Nothing wrong with getting a properly bred puppy of a breed whose characteristics are known (although you can never be totally sure), although this 'designer celebrity' dog thing is getting on my nerves.

'Instead of seeing the price bracket and being jealous you cant afford one! Sorry but nine times out of ten that's the main issue!'

FFS people actually think like this.

I personally don't equate money with Pets
I'd never dream of paying for a pet when an abundance of rescues need homes. Yes, technically we donated 100 quid for our rescue cat.

To be honest I can't relate to people who do this as to me it's really odd.

Particularly these highly bred Cocker doo Da Labra Latte with extra sprinkles types or these poor little mites who look and breathe like they've walked into a brick wall.

Awful

It's madness.

I wouldn't have one. They've been too finely bred because of their popularity and the prices the breeders can command for them. A dog trainer told me that he sees more French Bulldogs for behavioural problems than any other breed. YANBU to feel judgemental towards her about it but it's up to her to do her research and take on the responsibility so I would keep my thoughts to myself.

I’d totally support several breeds being allowed to die out. Frenchies... pugs... let’s face it if you want a dog that can’t breathe just because it’s cute you’re a bit of a twat.

^ this

Wow, so many defenders of animal cruelty on here. Who cares about their multitude of health issues and the suffering endured, dey is well cute and soppy and u is just jealous.

My pugs have never had health problems related to their breed, and they are far from an accessory my life revolves around them.

I only have working breeds. I really dislike dogs bred to look like people (all these brachycephalic dogs with their big eyes and their short legs), I want a dog that I know can and will do its job when asked.

But different people look for different things I guess. But I'd still say if she wants a dog and doesn't know what she's doing she'd be better off getting something 'known' than a rescue that could turn out to be anything (unless she can rescue from a 'known home' of course).

I am someone with a French bulldog health wise perfect never had a problem with and as for them having to c section and can't have pups natural it is aloud of crap she has a litter of 4 pups 6wks ago gave birth natrual and is all healthy and doing great I have both mum and dad and would not change them for nothing all the crap what is on Google is scary to read and people think it costs 1000s it all depends on there lifestyle they have oh and by the way she got pregnant natural not by a turkey baster as my male got her while we was at work so don't belive everything ya read on Google and what people say that do not own the breed

YANBU It's a complete fashion choice, and these dogs are being dumped in shelters in ever increasing numbers because of people that have no idea what they're letting themselves in to. We saw the same with Chihuahuas a few years ago, and doodles, it's pathetic

BUTTERS30 - while i do agree with you that not everyone can rescue a dog (our first dog wasn’t a rescue as our child was too young), I don’t agree with you that I’m being judgemental because I’m jealous I can’t afford a Frenchie! Wow!

It’s great that your dog conceived and birthed naturally and you reared her puppies at home. But you must agree that Frenchies’ popularity encourages unscrupulous breeders? And the more people get them, the more fashionable they become, and the Frenchies who CAN’T give birth naturally, or have breathing problems, etc, suffer? As a lover of the breed, surely that makes you angry?

@Span1elsRock

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).

100% this.

But then, I think this should be the requirement for having children too.

YANBU

@Madhouse2010 well it’s rare to hear a backyard breeder be quite so proud of it.

oh i know, pugs are like the 'in' dog, my kids have asked before why i wont consider one if we ever get a dog, too many health problems, the sound terrible with all that panting in summer.

Is it possible to get healthy French bulldogs? My mother had them and they looked completely different 70-80 years ago. I think hers came from France. I wonder if there are more of them in France and a larger gene pool, leading to healthier dogs.

I also judge people who don't get their pets neutered (exceptions made for the pets who can't be neutered for medical/health reasons, of course).