Dog-lovers have been speaking out in favour of banning the 'barbaric' breeding of Pugs and French Bulldogs, after a pet charity vowed to try and end the breeding of the dogs across the country. It comes as the UK could see a 'crackdown' on the dangerous breeding of the popular dogs.
Pet charity Blue Cross has vowed to tackle the breeds, stating that breeders are guilty of a 'vicious cycle of over-breeding'. Becky Thwaites, Head of Public Affairs at Blue Cross admitted she has already started contacting MPs in a bid to end the 'poor breeding of flat-faced dogs'.
According to the charity, a rise in 'cute' advertisements prevalent on social media has led to a rise in demands for French Bulldogs and Pugs who are being diagnosed with health issues. Readers on the Manchester Evening News' Facebook page had their say on what they thought.
READ MORE Pugs and French Bulldogs could be banned in the UK after pet charity vow
Stephanie Barnes called the breeding of Pugs and French Bulldogs 'scandalous' before adding that they had been banned in other countries. She said: "I think it’s a good thing, backyard breeders are ruining these breeds and half of them have crosses in them to get colours that don’t really exist in there breed standard. The poor dogs are dying due to no health tests and inbreeding."
Also in favour was Nikki Jackson, who said: "It needs to happen, it’s barbaric to breed health conditions into dogs for the sake of aesthetics. For those who already own this type of dog you’d most likely be protected by having to register ownership by a cut off point, then authorities would be able to effectively manage illegal breeding."
"Ban breeding them and let those in existence live out their lives. Watching these poor dogs suffer just trying to breathe is horrendous so goodness knows how the poor dog feels," commented Helen Mawdsley.
Currently, 20 per cent of dogs in the UK are flat-faced breeds, according to the charity. But due to the rise in popularity of such breeders, there has been growing cases of poor breeding with Blue Cross vets claiming to have treated 5,000 brachycephalic pets in the previous two years. There are four breeds of dog that are banned in the UK: the Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino and Fila Brasileiro.
Others agreed that breeders should be held accountable, but those who own Pugs or French Bulldogs had other thoughts. Sarah Lloyd wrote: "I have a four year old pug who’s is part of our family. She was bought from an official registered breeder.
"It is ridiculous to ban the breed, especially when Pugs are incredibly loving and harmless dogs. I agree that stricter rules need to be brought in around breeding dogs. I can say one thing for sure and that’s nobody would take my dog away from me easily."
Tracey Mason added: "Irresponsible breeders should be banned for ANY BREEDS, not the actual dogs. My adult pug has no health issues and is a truly wonderful companion and much loved family member. Pugs are such lovely dogs and have been around for hundreds of years."
"I have a rescue pug and he is my world. He was never used for breeding and he is a healthy beautiful full boy. There should be laws on for breeding, I fully support this so that they are not being over bread….but banning them altogether? So what are they gonna do put them all down? Absolutely not gonna happen!" said Linzi Ann.
What do you think? Have your say below.
She added: "I cannot believe that this is even being thought of. These dogs are the most loving, loyal, safest dogs you can have around children and other pets."
As Lyndsey Battey said: "I agree on better regulations on the breeding and selling of dogs. In-breeding produces a lot of health conditions and deformities in any breed but often more severe for these breeds in particular."
According to the government, a dog's legal status is based "on what it looks like, rather than its breed or name." The RSPCA argues that dogs "should not be judged on how they look" and have called for the policy to be changed. Currently, police and council wardens have the power to take a banned dog away, even if it's not acting dangerously or if there has been no complaint.
