The French Bulldog is one of the most sought after breeds and they seem to be growing in popularity. However, most French Bulldogs were purposefully bred with appearance in mind, which resulted in many of them suffering from serious health problems. But fortunately, not all French Bulldog owners are willing to sacrifice their health in exchange for money.
Chantal Wageveld-van Kruining is a French Bulldog lover living in the Netherlands. She had two Frenchies of her own, but when she became interested in breeding Frenchies, she wondered how other breeders did it. So, she came up with a solution to make the breed healthier.
The problem with Frenchies
Over the years, many people have decided that flat faces on dogs are cute. These dogs are called “short-headed dog,” and their flat faces pay the price. Of course, these dogs are just as cute as any other, but their flat faces and short, wide skulls make it harder for them to breathe. Some breeds that fall into this category are Frenchies, Pugs, and Pekingese.
Sadly, these short facial features are praised in dog shows. Most dog shows focus on the dogs’ appearance, regardless of how that appearance affects their health. An example is the AKC Frenchie program called Arnie. His nose is so flat that it’s just longer than the rest of his face. He struggled to breathe steadily but still won prizes in dog competitions, encouraging others to buy flat-faced dogs.
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One popular Reddit post shows Arnie’s file next to that of a Frenchman named Flint. Flint has a significantly longer nose than Arnie, but he’s still an adorable French Bulldog. The Flint was bred by Hawbucks French Bulldogs in the Netherlands, which Chantal started.
“Restructuring” is like
When Chantal entered the world of dog farming, she was shocked to find that many dog owners don’t care about their dogs’ health if it means they look “cute”. So she started researching the breed’s health issues to find out how she could cross-breed the French breed and still avoid those concerns.
For healthier Frenchies, small dogs need a wide airway and throat, clear nostrils, and a tongue that’s not too long or thick. Breeding dogs with those healthy traits also increases the chances for puppies to develop those healthy qualities. Chantal has successfully bred several litters of Frenchies with new shapes, making them healthier overall. She always publicizes their health check.
“We tried to create a French Bulldog with a slightly more athletic body. What a French bulldog what do they mean at the beginning of the breed’s development. A dog can run and play for several hours without any problems. Chantal said.
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Hopefully other Frenchie breeders will see Chantal’s efforts and choose to change for the better. But for now, new dog owners have to be careful where they get their dogs. Be wary of breeders who have a lot of dogs in stock, especially if those dogs have extremely flat faces. And remember that even popular breeds like Frenchies are rescues and shelters, so consider adopting a rescue dog.
Featured pictures: Facebook
