The U.S. Has a New Favorite Dog Breed —and It’s Controversial

A new dog breed has waddled its way into Americans’ hearts. While Labrador retrievers were the most popular purebred dog for a record 31 years, French bulldogs—or “frenchies” as they’re called by enthusiasts—took the top spot in 2022 for the first time, the American Kennel Club announced on March 15. But the selection doesn’t come without some controversy. Veterinarians have long warned that the breed’s popularity is contributing to their suffering. Like other dog breeds with scrunched faces, such as pugs and bulldogs, Frenchies are plagued by a range of health problems tied to their distinctive shape. And as their popularity has risen and the price of a puppy has soared into the thousands of dollars, veterinarians have warned that there’s an incentive to breed more dogs at the expense of their health. [time-brightcove not-tgx=”true”] Astrid Stawiarz—Getty Images for Max-BoneFrench bulldog Odin poses for photos wearing a bow tie at the Max-Bone Santa Event NYC on December 17, 2016 in New York City. Compared to many other purebred dogs, French bulldogs are unusually susceptible to certain health conditions, including spinal problems, difficulty giving birth and issues with their skin. One of the most serious issues is “Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS),” which makes it difficult for the dogs to breathe. While some dog owners may dismiss it as normal for French bulldogs to snor...
Source: TIME: Science - Category: Science Authors: Tags: Uncategorized animals News Team Source Type: news