Concerned Frenchie owner starts mission to re-engineer the breed's face to make them healthier
Are we loving French bulldogs to death?
In recent years, French bulldogs have leaped in popularity in the United States and the United Kingdom. According to the American Kennel Club registration records, the breed jumped from rank 11th in 2013 to 4th in 2017.
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They attribute this sudden spike in ownership with the breed’s characteristics – compact, easy to groom, and its adorable face.
But it’s also the same reason why the breed is in danger.
Its adorable facial features just don’t go so well with its entire build. According to an article by National Geographic, they said that in the quest for the “perfect” bulldog, a lot of irresponsible breeders are willing to risk the dog’s health.
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As a result, the French bulldog became a notorious breed when it comes to sickness. Chronic eye, skin, digestive, and respiratory illnesses plague these dogs because they are physically made to be such.
Brachycephalic is the dominant characteristic of French bulldogs.
Much like pugs, they have that cute short muzzle. However, this muzzle also causes major respiratory challenges. For one, these dogs tend to overheat quicker. Short walks can tire them and you can hear them literally gasping for air.
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The same article quoted a research saying that almost half of French bulldogs have significant breathing problems, with over 66 percent of them having excessively tight nostrils. In other words, the breed is slowly suffocating.
This is where a concerned Frenchie owner stepped in.
Chantal van Kruining established Hawbucks French Bulldog, an organization operating in the Netherlands. The organization’s mission is simple – breed the French bulldog not for show, but for health.
“The dog on the Left is award winning showdog named Arnie an AKC French Bulldog..The dog on the right is Flint, bred in the Netherlands by Hawbucks French Bulldogs – a breeder trying to establish a new, healthier template for French Bulldogs.”
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Van Kruining shared that she once owned a French bulldog and fell in love with the breed. But in owning one, she also realized how badly bred the French bulldog was.
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She would be breathless during short walks. She also has spine problems, among other things.
Not wanting other dogs to live like her dog, van Kruining knew she needed to do something.
On their website, she said that their late dog Quinta represents what’s wrong in the breeding world. Since then, she looked for French bulldogs that can realize her vision of producing a healthier version.
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“It is not normal that a dog cannot do what he likes most because of his body type.” They said in their vision statement, “It is not normal for a dog to be kept calm when it is above 20 degrees outside. It is not ‘cute’ when a dog cannot breathe without making noise.”
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“A French bulldog is first and foremost a dog.” They said, “A dog is supposed to move freely and not be held back by his body. A dog is at its most beautiful when it not obstructed by physical limitations.”
While it’s still a long way for van Kruining’s crusade, it’s a big step in preserving the breed.
It defies the standard of what’s beautiful and veers it towards a more humane approach when it comes to breeding. Hopefully, as more people support breeding for health, a new breed of healthier and happier dogs will emerge.
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“Human beings are the only living things that have the strength of imagination.” Their vision statement ended, “Let us use that strength to find a way to do things differently.”
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Source: Hawbucks French Bulldogs, National Geographic, CBS News, Instagram – @chantalwageveldvankruining, Reddit