FRENCH BULLDOGS SET TO OVERTAKE LABRADORS AS UK’S MOST
POPULAR DOG BREED
Kennel Club issues welfare warning as people buying French Bulldogs on a
whim cause numbers to soar

French Bulldog set to overtake the Labrador Retriever as the UK’s most
popular dog breed by the end of 2018 – the first time the Labrador will have
been knocked off the top spot in 27 years

Kennel Club registration figures show that the French Bulldog, owned by
celebrities such as the Beckhams, Lady Gaga and Leonardo DiCaprio, will
overtake current second most popular breed, the Cocker Spaniel, within
months and the Labrador within two years if its popularity keeps increasing

French Bulldog saw a 47 per cent increase in the last year alone, a 368 per
cent rise in the past five years and has increased by more than a staggering
3,000 per cent in the past ten years

Kennel Club warns that people buying the breed on a whim could lead to a
welfare crisis and urges puppy buyers to consider other breeds that might be
more suited to their lifestyle
The French Bulldog, a breed favoured by celebrities such as the Beckhams, Lady
Gaga, Leonardo DiCaprio, Reese Witherspoon and Hugh Jackman, is set to
overtake the Labrador as the UK’s most popular breed of dog, according to statistics
released by the UK’s largest dog welfare organisation, the Kennel Club, ahead of its
annual Crufts event.
The popularity of the breed has seen an unprecedented rise in recent years, with a
47 per cent increase from 2015 to 2016 alone, a 368 per cent increase in the past
five years (2012 to 2016) and a staggering 3,104 per cent increase over the last ten
years (2007 to 2016).
If this trend continues, the Kennel Club forecasts that the breed could be the most
popular dog breed in the UK by the end of 2018, a title long held by the Labrador.
The Labrador has been the most popular dog breed in the UK since 1990 – the year
it overtook the Yorkshire Terrier. The French Bulldog is set to overtake the current
second most popular breed, the Cocker Spaniel, which is ahead by only 384 puppy
registrations, within a couple of months.
The Kennel Club is concerned that the dramatic increase in numbers of French
Bulldogs is due to people choosing the breed because of how it looks and because it
is considered to be a fashionable choice, rather than because it is the most suitable
breed for their lifestyle.
Furthermore, Kennel Club registrations only account for around 30 per cent of the
total population of dogs in the UK so there are concerns that the number of French
Bulldogs in the country is likely to be far higher in reality, including undocumented
and unregistered dogs and dogs that have been brought into the country illegally
from Eastern Europe.
Sudden boosts in popularity of certain breeds can result in a huge market opening
up for unscrupulous breeders to sell to. They often churn out puppies with little or no
regard for their health and welfare, solely for profit, because they know they can sell
them easily. There is also growing concern amongst animal charities about the
number of puppies being smuggled in illegally from Eastern Europe. This highlights
the importance of anyone intent on owning a French Bulldog going to a responsible
breeder, such as a Kennel Club Assured Breeder, or considering a rescue dog.
Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary, said: “While the French Bulldog is a lovely
breed, it is very unwise for anyone to buy one simply because they think it looks cute
or is a fashionable choice. Anyone doing so could inadvertently be contributing to an
impending welfare crisis.
“The breed is a favourite with celebrities, who often flaunt them on their Instagram
and Twitter accounts for people to coo over. While it’s normal to want to show off
your dog, when celebrities do it, it usually results in a surge in the popularity of
certain breeds, which is not a good thing as it opens the doors to unscrupulous
breeders who see it as an opportunity to breed lots of them without due care to
health and welfare.
“French Bulldogs can be bred with exaggerated features, including extremely flat
faces, which can cause health issues – many of which owners are not aware of
before they buy, which can sadly result in the emotional stress of having a sickly dog
and high veterinary bills, highlighting how crucial is it for anyone intent on owning a
French Bulldog to go to a responsible breeder, such as a Kennel Club Assured
Breeder.
“Without a doubt the most important thing is for people to do the proper research
before deciding on a breed. The great thing about pedigree dogs is that they come
with a high level of predictability, so people can work out which breed would be the
best fit for their lifestyle based on things like temperament, how much exercise the
dog will need and any relevant health concerns. With all the information available
these days, and with events like Crufts coming up in March where people can meet
around 200 breeds and speak to experts in each one, there really is no excuse for
buying a dog that is not a good match for you.”
The Kennel Club is also concerned that, because the French Bulldog is not a
suitable choice for everyone, people buying one without doing their research will
then have to give the dog over to a rescue centre when they realise they cannot care
for it.
Jackie Mavro-Michaelis, Secretary of the Pennine and Scottish French Bulldog
Association, said: “French Bulldog welfare services are getting more and more
dogs through their doors, so there is a genuine concern that we could be facing a
welfare crisis if their numbers keep increasing.
“The fact that we used to have one welfare service for the breed, and now we have
three because of the increase in numbers, is concerning in itself and the breed could
be in real trouble if people let impulsiveness take over and rush out to buy a French
Bulldog without knowing much about the breed.
“To anyone looking for a French Bulldog, we would suggest researching suitable
alternative breeds first, but anyone intent on owning one should contact the relevant
breed clubs for advice, go to a responsible breeder, such as a Kennel Club Assured
Breeder, and make sure they are buying a puppy with two health tested parents.”
The Kennel Club is urging anyone who wants to get a French Bulldog to consider
other breeds that are similar to it in terms of temperament and care requirements,
but that might be more suited to their lifestyle and home environment. Examples of
suitable alternatives include the Miniature Schnauzer, Beagle, Border Terrier and
Welsh Terrier. The Breed Information Centre on the Kennel Club website gives
information on each breed of dog, including details on exercise and care
requirements, the type of lifestyle each breed is likely to be suitable for, and health
considerations for each breed.
The Kennel Club is also inviting people to come and meet the breed at the Discover
Dogs zone at Crufts from 9th-12th March 2017, at the NEC in Birmingham, find out
more about whether or not it is the right breed for them. Visitors can meet around
200 other breeds of dog and can find out which ones are best suited to their lifestyle.
The
Kennel
Club’s
Breed
Information
Centre
can
www.thekennelclub.org.uk/services/public/breed/.
Further information on Crufts can be found at www.crufts.org.uk.
ENDS
[34.17]
be
found
at
12th February 2017
For journalists who would like further press information, images or interview requests
email [email protected] or call David Robson, Kennel Club PR
Manager, on 07825 944843.
The accompanying images have been provided for editorial use only and should be
credited as follows:
French Bulldog image: Heather Torrance/the Kennel Club
Labrador image: The Kennel Club
www.thekennelclub.org.uk
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Note to editors
French Bulldog registrations for the last ten years
Year
Kennel Club registrations of
French Bulldogs
2016
21,470
2015
14,607
2014
9,670
2013
6,990
2012
4,585
2011
2,748
2010
2,171
2009
1,478
2008
1,008
2007
670
Top 5 breeds for 2016
Rank
Breed
Kennel Club
registrations
1
Labrador Retriever
33,856
2
Cocker Spaniel
21,854
3
French Bulldog
21,470
4
Pug
10,408
5
English Springer Spaniel
9,827
Other breeds that may be suitable for people thinking of getting a French
Bulldog include:







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Beagle
Miniature Schnauzer
Border Terrier
Welsh Terrier
Miniature Bull Terrier
Schipperke
Miniature Poodle
German Spitz
Tibetan Spaniel
The Kennel Club
The Kennel Club is the largest organisation in the UK devoted to dog health, welfare
and training. Its objective is to ensure that dogs live healthy, happy lives with
responsible owners.
It runs the country’s largest registration database for both pedigree and crossbreed
dogs and the Petlog database, which is the UK’s biggest reunification service for
microchipped animals. The Kennel Club is accredited by UKAS to certify members of
its Assured Breeder Scheme, which is the only scheme in the UK that monitors
breeders in order to protect the welfare of puppies and breeding bitches. It also runs
the UK’s largest dog training programme, the Good Citizen Dog Training Scheme
and licenses shows and clubs across a wide range of activities, which help dog
owners to bond and enjoy life with their dogs. The Kennel Club runs the world’s
greatest dog show, Crufts, and the Eukanuba Discover Dogs event at ExCeL
London, which is a fun family day out that educates people about how to buy
responsibly and care for their dog.
The Kennel Club invests in welfare campaigns, dog training and education
programmes and the Kennel Club Charitable Trust, which supports research into dog
diseases and dog welfare charities, including Kennel Club Breed Rescue
organisations that re-home dogs throughout the UK. The Kennel Club jointly runs
health screening schemes with the British Veterinary Association and through the
Charitable Trust, funds the Kennel Club Genetics Centre at the Animal Health Trust,
which is at the forefront of pioneering research into dog health. The Kennel Club
Cancer Centre at the Animal Health Trust contributes to the AHT’s well-established
cancer research programme, helping to further improve dog health.