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If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Will my Frenchie really only live til 6 years ?

411 replies

Jessiesthedog · 21/10/2022 20:09

I spoke with a breeder today who suggested my girl would live til 6 max. I was quite taken a back

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k1233 · 23/10/2022 06:32

Hybrid vigour is a gamble. If you cross breeds with multiple health issues, a pup is just as likely to get the worst if both breeds as it is to get the best.

I prefer pure bred dogs for a number of reasons. Type, look, behaviour are very consistent. You can also know potential health issues for the breed. You can research and then read breed standards to understand if the breed you plan to purchase will fit your lifestyle. My dogs are with me for life. I've bought 2 puppies in my adult life, totalling 21 years of having dogs. I currently also have a rehome. She's come with problems, which I wouldn't think is uncommon. I prefer to get a pup as I can raise it properly. Fixing existing issues is difficult and some times issues can only be managed and will never be fixed. If the dog finds a good home, then that's not the end of the world. If they don't, they will go through multiple homes and possibly be treated poorly as a result.

The breeder of my current pup (he's now a 7yo dog) had a lovely property that was set up for dogs. I spoke with her for 4 years before I got my pup. I had a 9 month wait once I had told her I was ready for a pup. She doesn't breed indiscriminately. All matches are well planned and are between quality, healthy dogs. I really don't think you can ask for more when it comes to a breeder. I had three months off work when my pup came home to make sure he had a good start to life.

In Australia, for the last few years it has been a requirement for all dog sales to have a Supplier Number. I'm keen to see the stats on where dogs in rescue / pound are coming from. Hopefully the stats will inform policy going forward.

Extremely disappointing are the councils that have approved puppy farms (which local communities were against). Puppy farming is abhorrent. No dog can have quality of life living in those arrangements. People purchasing dogs from those establishments are facilitating animals in distress.

EmmaGrundyForPM · 23/10/2022 08:46

Why is it that whenever Frenchies and their health issues are discussed, every Frenchie owner who comes onto the thread claims their dog has no issues, breathes fine etc. I suspect they have no experience of other dogs and don't realise that their dog's breathing is abnormal.

thelobsterquadrille · 23/10/2022 09:05

EmmaGrundyForPM · 23/10/2022 08:46

Why is it that whenever Frenchies and their health issues are discussed, every Frenchie owner who comes onto the thread claims their dog has no issues, breathes fine etc. I suspect they have no experience of other dogs and don't realise that their dog's breathing is abnormal.

Denial mostly!

Though I'm sure there are some healthy Frenchies out there - or at least, some that don't struggle to the point of needing veterinary attention.

thelobsterquadrille · 23/10/2022 09:11

Interestingly 2 of them were sold to vets!Hybrid vigour is a real thing that they must believe in.

Hybrid vigour isn't that straightforward, though.

If you cross (for example) a pug and a French bulldog, you're not going to magically end up with healthy puppies with no breathing issues as both parents are brachycephalic.

Whereas if you cross a (relatively speaking) healthy Frenchie with a healthy Jack Russell, then hybrid vigour may work - as the JR genes will "dilute" the Frenchie genes to an extent. But equally you could end up with a Jack Russell

thelobsterquadrille · 23/10/2022 09:11

Posted too soon!

You could end up with a puppy with JR levels of energy but the breathing abilities of a Frenchie, which could be disastrous.

Calledhimtwice · 23/10/2022 15:57

EmmaGrundyForPM · 23/10/2022 08:46

Why is it that whenever Frenchies and their health issues are discussed, every Frenchie owner who comes onto the thread claims their dog has no issues, breathes fine etc. I suspect they have no experience of other dogs and don't realise that their dog's breathing is abnormal.

And why is it that people who obviously have not encountered, or do not own a healthy French Bulldog, think they know it all?!

Survey99 · 23/10/2022 17:52

A "healthy french bulldog" is still a deformed dog purposely breed with a compressed skeleton which causes head to tail unnatural features for purely cosmetic reasons. These mutated features cause or eventually lead to pain in most French Bulldogs. Relatively speaking a "health french bulldog" is not a healthy dog. Even the royal veterinary college has said these dogs have such severe problems they cannot be treated like a normal dog anymore.

There are plenty of dogs out there to choose from that have not been horrifically deformed just to look cartoon cute. How anyone with good conscience can condone, encourage or partake in the continued mass production of deformed dogs I will never understand.

EmmaGrundyForPM · 23/10/2022 18:19

@Calledhimtwice I don't think I know it all. But I do think that vets know a lot about unhealthy dogs, and their consensus is that French Bulldogs are, at best, unhealthy and at worst, in continual pain.

The Norwegian government has outlawed the breeding of French Bulldogs and Kimg Charles Spaniels due to the horrendous deformities they have. The UK should do the sa.e.

Cavviesarethebest · 23/10/2022 18:26

I don’t have knowledge on French bulldogs- but on cavaliers - they used to be a healthy breed and with good breeding they can get back to that. To me the answer is not a ban but we’ll regulated breeding

i have a very happy boy - but I do agree there needs to be some regulatory intervention

Will my Frenchie really only live til 6 years ?
Meseekslookatme · 23/10/2022 18:30

This looks comfortable doesn't it?

Will my Frenchie really only live til 6 years ?
thelobsterquadrille · 23/10/2022 18:33

It's almost impossible to regulate breeding - Lucy's Law has proved that sadly.

Cavviesarethebest · 23/10/2022 18:34

More happy Cavvie 😁

Will my Frenchie really only live til 6 years ?
Cavviesarethebest · 23/10/2022 18:35

@thelobsterquadrille of course it’s possible - it just needs the will

thelobsterquadrille · 23/10/2022 18:36

Cavviesarethebest · 23/10/2022 18:35

@thelobsterquadrille of course it’s possible - it just needs the will

Sadly I can't agree. How can you possibly regulate the breeding of dogs when literally anyone can go out, buy a dog, breed it and sell the pups?

Cavviesarethebest · 23/10/2022 18:40

@thelobsterquadrille well that’s what regulation would do… change the rules about all of that.

a lot of work? Yes. But possible id theres the will 🤷‍♀️ But there’s not becaue, on the whole, a lot of people don’t care about dog welfare

thelobsterquadrille · 23/10/2022 18:43

Cavviesarethebest · 23/10/2022 18:40

@thelobsterquadrille well that’s what regulation would do… change the rules about all of that.

a lot of work? Yes. But possible id theres the will 🤷‍♀️ But there’s not becaue, on the whole, a lot of people don’t care about dog welfare

There's already regulations that are being ignored though, that's my point.

You only need to go on Facebook, GumTree or PetsAtHome to see that Lucy's Law has made absolutely no difference to the breeding and selling of dogs.

It's not just "a lot of work" - it would be impossible to fully regulate breeding of dogs. There are too many dogs and not enough money to help them.

willtherealslimshadypleasesitdown · 23/10/2022 18:57

The fact you didn't do enough research to know their life expectancy, and the fact you assume your dog 'breathes perfectly fine thank you' shows how naive you are.

Why on earth would you buy into something so cruel just for a 'fashionable breed'

People who breed and buy frenchies need to do better.

EmmaGrundyForPM · 23/10/2022 19:30

I appreciate there will always be people who ignore regulations, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't try.

If French Bullddogs and KC Spaniels became banned breeds, then the vast majority of breeding of them would stop

BeansOnToast32 · 23/10/2022 19:34

I have a CKCS puppy, she's from fully health tested parents/grandparents. She's not my first Cav, all of my others have lived between 10-12years and one of those had a heart murmur, the others didn't have any Cav health issues.

They are the most gentle, loving little dogs and I hope more will be done to regulate their breeding, I'm not sure how it would work though.
You'd think that the Kennel Club would only allow litters to be registered after all parents health tests had been submitted but that wouldn't stop people breeding un-tested non KC registered puppies would it? 🤷🏼‍♀️

thelobsterquadrille · 23/10/2022 19:45

EmmaGrundyForPM · 23/10/2022 19:30

I appreciate there will always be people who ignore regulations, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't try.

If French Bullddogs and KC Spaniels became banned breeds, then the vast majority of breeding of them would stop

I appreciate I probably sound defeatist.

But we have tried. There are laws in place, the majority ignore them. Yes, we could ban them as breeds, but something new will come in and take their place (in the same way as banning pitbulls etc. just made way for XL bullies).

Believe me, it's not that I don't think we should try, it's that I feel like we're fighting a losing battle. There are just SO many dogs and owners in this country that it's an industry that's almost too big to control now.

SirSniffsAlot · 23/10/2022 20:00

I'm not sure if CKC aren't beyond saving through tough regulation, to be honest.

Around 70% of them are reported to have asymptomatic syringomyelia and I am sure I've read 90% carry the genetics for the condition (though cannot right now lay my hands on the citation for it).

That doesn't leave a great gene pool to select from. Especially as breeding 2 low level affected individuals often results in offspring that are much worse affected than their parents. That's starts to look like a terribly sad, one way road.

Like so many breeds impacted by poor breeding, they are beautiful characters that deserved much better.

Like has already been said: if show judges KEEP choosing unhealthy examples of the breed as winners, we're never going to get anywhere. Those dogs go on to breed for massive money, spreading terrible genetics to the next generation. In enabling that, the KC has proved it is not up to the job, imo.

Good health has to be seen in the ring, to be socialised among pet owners.

thelobsterquadrille · 23/10/2022 20:06

Like so many breeds impacted by poor breeding, they are beautiful characters that deserved much better.

Exactly. It's the same with Pugs and Frenchies - lovely personalities and such sweet-natured dogs as a rule (though Frenchies can be dog-aggressive), yet over-breeding has destroyed them. It's so sad.

Naimee87 · 23/10/2022 20:07

We own a pug and hear very similar comments from people as well. She’s the loveliest little thing though and we make sure to go for regular check-ups for her breathing. She’s just 2 so energtic we’ve done mini-hikes and she loves agility course training too. I do feel similar to you @Jessiesthedog in that she’s on the planet now and we can give her the best life possible. We are a member of our local pug-club and they had a brilliant presentation by a veterinary surgeon who specialises in health conditions specific to brachycephalic dogs. It was extremely helpful to understand the issues they face and why they face them. She also detailed how to spot signs of distress and when to seek medical advice. She has two pugs of her own as well. Worth doing some research for sure! But your Frenchie! 🐶🐶

SirSniffsAlot · 23/10/2022 20:15

As I was looking up my references on CKC percentages, I came across these comparison photos I had saved. (Credit: I almost certainly got these from Jemima Harrison on Twitter - for this interested in seeing regular comparisons on how some breeds used to be much healthier when less extreme).

One of a Frenchie in the ring. One of a Frenchie, bred in Canada by a breeder attempting to moderate the extremes of the breed to produce a much healthier dog.

The healthier dog is, by far, also the better looking dog, imo, and yet it would fail in the show ring.

Will my Frenchie really only live til 6 years ?
Will my Frenchie really only live til 6 years ?
cooldarkroom · 23/10/2022 20:36

Apart from the breathing, This type of flat faced breed, are prone to getting grass, stcks, thorns etc in their eyes as they snuffle the ground..
More vet visits & eye infection...
Madness