Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
The doghouse

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

Original poster

Moonpig Ban Flat-Faced Dog Cards

63 replies

DforDogWoof · 27/02/2023 17:44

Who saw this in the news today 😎

Moonpig announced that they have stopped the sale of greetings cards featuring Brachycephalic dog breeds, specifically pugs and French bulldogs, due to animal welfare concerns www.dfordog.co.uk/blog/moonpig-cards-ban-flat-faced-dogs.html

Moonpig Ban Flat-Faced Dog Cards
OP posts:
picklemewalnuts · 28/02/2023 07:23

There's an English bulldog that walks near me. He makes me so anxious- he snorts and gasps as he walks. I'm afraid he's going to drop dead at my feet. Poor lad.

Nicecow · 28/02/2023 07:24

GlassBunion · 27/02/2023 18:15

This is a positive move. Let's see more of it.

Absolutely, so many dogs have issues due to breeding which is ironic given their owners supposedly love them so much

Tubofroses · 28/02/2023 07:26

Pugs are one of the oldest breeds so have obviously survived alright- pure bred pugs date back to 400BC! Seems odd tbh, all dog merch should be banned as plenty of people see many breeds as fluffy balls of cuteness with no clue on the care they require. The marketing of dogs really just shows how we see them as commodities.

ErrolTheDragon · 28/02/2023 07:38

Tubofroses · 28/02/2023 07:26

Pugs are one of the oldest breeds so have obviously survived alright- pure bred pugs date back to 400BC! Seems odd tbh, all dog merch should be banned as plenty of people see many breeds as fluffy balls of cuteness with no clue on the care they require. The marketing of dogs really just shows how we see them as commodities.

But they weren't as flat faced. There's paintings of them from earlier times which show them with snouts and not such bulbous eyes.

Good move from moonpig.

Stellaris22 · 28/02/2023 07:43

Yes, it's another breed that's suffered from Kennel Club pedigree show standards sadly. I have no love for Kennel Club and how they have made some breeds incredibly unhealthy.

jays · 28/02/2023 07:43

This is brilliant news! Well done Moonpig!

Sittingonthefence83 · 28/02/2023 09:50

I'm going to start buying from Moonpig now, really good news!!

Newpeep · 28/02/2023 09:54

Stellaris22 · 28/02/2023 07:43

Yes, it's another breed that's suffered from Kennel Club pedigree show standards sadly. I have no love for Kennel Club and how they have made some breeds incredibly unhealthy.

The KC are a massive contradiction. The breed standard for my dog starts ‘essentially still a working terrier’ and mine certainly would be physically. She’s from well regarded breed lines.

Yet other breeds have become caricatures of themselves under the breed standards.

ScattyHattie · 28/02/2023 09:58

A positive move but guess depends is includes other breed extremes & what breeds they'll use instead. I would have added daschunds to the list despite finding them cute ( look a bit like stumpy legged sighthounds) as are very popular in designs/fashion currently, yet due to that extreme back length so many end up with spinal issues and many owners are not prepared for the costs of surgery/rehab nor lengthy nursing of their often paralysed and incontinent dog towards regaining better mobility. They do often walk again post surgery but still chance another disc will go at later date.

I can understand how people may not realise skin issues or the extra spinal risk with pugs, frenchies, bulldogs but braccy breathing problems have been in media a long time now and you can usually hear them huffing along and see the buggy eye risk and yet it hasn't really dented their popularity. It's often the rescues that are left picking up the vets bills when owners can't afford to treat them.

eyeslikebutterflies · 28/02/2023 10:04

Tubofroses · 28/02/2023 07:26

Pugs are one of the oldest breeds so have obviously survived alright- pure bred pugs date back to 400BC! Seems odd tbh, all dog merch should be banned as plenty of people see many breeds as fluffy balls of cuteness with no clue on the care they require. The marketing of dogs really just shows how we see them as commodities.

They are an old breed but as others have said, intensive selective breeding has meant that they have lost their snout - Google pictures of pugs from the 1930s and they look totally different. They were once healthy and now they are not.

I also read that the life expectancy of Frenchies is now as low as 4-5 years, again from intensive selective breeding. Humans have basically bred them to look cute, not giving a shit that they've more than halved their life expectancy in the process.

Really happy Moonpig are doing this - hopefully it'll help people who buy these poor little dogs to stop and think before they do.

SirSniffsAlot · 28/02/2023 10:04

Good. Brachycephalia is creeping into more and more species (cats, rabbits) and the less we normalise animals having artificially deformed/flat faces, the better.

I'd like to see the end of brachycephalia animals used in all media (films, adverts, cards, etc.) unless they have a decent sized snout.

Moonpig Ban Flat-Faced Dog Cards
ErrolTheDragon · 28/02/2023 10:08

The breed standard for dachshunds says 'Moderately long in proportion to height, with no exaggeration.' And 'Essential that functional build, size and proportions ensure working ability.'. I reckon it's a breed where the problems are known and there's some effort to deal with it by the 'professionals' but unfortunately far too popular now.

AndrexPuppy · 28/02/2023 10:12

Good news. It’s tragic what we’ve done to this type of dog

Stellaris22 · 28/02/2023 10:33

Newpeep the difference between the working and show standards for our breed (hound group) means the show version could never do the job its originally bred for. I wouldn't go near the show version.

EraOfTheGrey · 28/02/2023 18:29

Churchill Insurance have also decided to drop the bulldog as their mascot. They too say its because they didn't want to support over bred unhealthy characteristics.

MrsMikeDrop · 28/02/2023 20:14

eyeslikebutterflies · 28/02/2023 10:04

They are an old breed but as others have said, intensive selective breeding has meant that they have lost their snout - Google pictures of pugs from the 1930s and they look totally different. They were once healthy and now they are not.

I also read that the life expectancy of Frenchies is now as low as 4-5 years, again from intensive selective breeding. Humans have basically bred them to look cute, not giving a shit that they've more than halved their life expectancy in the process.

Really happy Moonpig are doing this - hopefully it'll help people who buy these poor little dogs to stop and think before they do.

Show quote history

I agree regarding dogs being commodities, most people seem to not care about the health effects of the breeds (most breeds have issues) and if they are left alone for long periods of time and also don't have suitable large gardens for them. It wouldn't surprise me if a short lifespan is desirable as well.

SnuggleBuggleBoo · 28/02/2023 20:37

This can only be a good thing! It feels like 90% of dog breeds are pretty much caricatures of themselves now. When I was a toddler King Charles Spaniels were my favourite breed. Now I just feel grossed out by them with their eyes about to fall out and their inability to breath. It's so sad.

Bamboux · 28/02/2023 20:40

Spanielsarepainless · 27/02/2023 19:34

My young dog doesn't like the snuffling and snoring noises these breeds make. He looks wary rather than scared. I hadn't thought about their faces being difficult to read. That is a good point.

Good news. There was one of these dogs on the tube the other day. I could not believe how much it was struggling to breathe while sitting still. It was really distressing.

GlassBunion · 28/02/2023 21:09

I took my dog to the vets a few weeks ago and their was one of these brachycephalic dogs in the waiting room.
It was really struggling to breathe and the guttural noise that it was making was pitiful.

The owner was chatting to another owner and was complaining that her dog was so noisy and was hoping that the vet would 'sort it out.'

I really hoped that the vet made a kind suggestion.

CandlelightGlow · 01/03/2023 16:50

I actually love pugs but I would never ever get one because the idea of a dog so unhealthy the poor thing struggles to even breathe is horrendous.

I honestly didn't even know Frenchies were considered brachy in the same way, so it's taught me something and they're now off of my list of future dog breeds too. Poor mites.

CandlelightGlow · 01/03/2023 16:52

My comment is stupid, I've just googled french bulldogs and they are really obviously flat faced. I don't know if the one I've seen IRL is a different variety or perhaps a cross breed but he has a more boxy face than a squashed face if that makes sense!

coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 01/03/2023 17:43

CandlelightGlow · 01/03/2023 16:52

My comment is stupid, I've just googled french bulldogs and they are really obviously flat faced. I don't know if the one I've seen IRL is a different variety or perhaps a cross breed but he has a more boxy face than a squashed face if that makes sense!

Some decent/genuine breeders are trying to breed them with the old-fashioned snout that they used to have - but I suspect most are crosses from puppy farms.

AllAboutMargot · 01/03/2023 17:50

About time.

I also find it unsettling that cartoon piglets are used in the ads because they're so adorably cute.

Then you go and have a bacon and sausage bap.

Not satire, but should be.

Newpeep · 01/03/2023 19:58

coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 01/03/2023 17:43

Some decent/genuine breeders are trying to breed them with the old-fashioned snout that they used to have - but I suspect most are crosses from puppy farms.

Show quote history

There are some really nicely bred healthy ones. I’m an agility judge and have judged one or two who were wonderful. But it’s not the norm. They were KC reg. most are puppy farmed.

CandlelightGlow · 01/03/2023 21:04

Newpeep · 01/03/2023 19:58

There are some really nicely bred healthy ones. I’m an agility judge and have judged one or two who were wonderful. But it’s not the norm. They were KC reg. most are puppy farmed.

Show quote history

Ah this makes sense - yes the one I know looks like the dog here on the right:

Moonpig Ban Flat-Faced Dog Cards