More French bulldogs in care with extreme features
The RSPCA took in 234 French bulldogs in 2025.
A new report from the RSPCA has addressed the link between extreme features and the rise of French bulldogs in care.
The charity revealed that it has seen a 3,800 per cent increase in French bulldogs entering its care across the past decade.
While the French bulldog has become one of the country’s most popular pedigree breeds, it is also associated with many unhealthy conformations. The traits, often found in brachycephalic dogs, include bulging eyes, wrinkled skin and ‘cork screw’ tails.
These extreme conformations can result in high veterinary costs when managing their related medical conditions. This can include invasive surgery to help them breathe.
However, with many unable to afford these care costs, the RSPCA says French bulldogs are increasingly being brought to rehoming centres. In 2016 the RSPCA took in just six French bulldogs, however it has recorded 234 dogs of this type in 2025.
The charity has also seen an increased intake of British bulldogs, English/old tyme bulldogs, pugs and chow chows. It is calling on pet owners to look beyond appearance and prioritise good welfare when choosing a pet.
In 2024, a chow chow brought to the RSPCA underwent a number of invasive surgeries to ease the impact that extreme conformations were having on its life. This included eyelid lifts, surgery on its soft palate and removal of excess skin around its face.
However, despite these efforts, the chow chow’s suffering was too great and it had to be euthanised.
In its latest report, The Shape of Suffering, the charity has what the general public can do to end the breeding of dogs for extreme traits.
The report addresses the practice in French bulldogs, dachshunds, Cavalier King Spaniels and Chihuahuas. It also discusses the extreme breeding of cats, rabbits, snakes and fish.
The RSPCA has urged dog breeders, and prospective dog owners, to utilise the Innate Health Assessment (IHA) tool.
Launched by the All-Party Group for Animal Welfare in November, the tool provides a visual checklist of ten key conformational criteria which are intentionally exaggerated in certain breeds for aesthetic reasons. It identifies how these exaggerated physical characteristics will cause harm to the and their future offspring.
Ashleigh Brown, lead writer of the RSPCA report, said: “Too often, loving owners take on these dogs with the best intentions, but don't realise what caring for one of these breeds can involve until they're dealing with repeated vet visits, expensive treatment and seeing their pet struggle on a daily basis.
“Breathing difficulties, skin infections, spinal problems and other conditions can mean lifelong treatment - and often this isn’t curative; even post-treatment or surgery, pets continue to suffer a reduced quality of life.”
Image © RSPCA
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