UK veterinary group wants people to 'stop and think' before getting an English bulldog

A group of veterinarians is urging people to stop buying English bulldogs, saying "urgent action" is needed to address the breed's serious health issues.

English bulldogs began to appear in the 13th century when they were bred for bull-baiting, a now-illegal sport where animals would be tied to and fight a bull, according to PetMD. Now, they are among the most recognizable dog breeds in the world, as they are a popular pet and the face of many college sports teams.

But the Royal Veterinary College made the call to action Wednesday after research published in the peer-reviewed journal Canine Medicine and Genetics found English bulldogs, also known as British bulldogs, are "compromised by major health issues" that have been around for over a century.

Researchers cited the bulldog's flat face, short muzzle, protruding lower jaw and their distinct body shape as reasons why the breed's health is so dangerous. They acknowledged those characteristics are "normal" and sometimes "desirable" features that dog owners want.

"Every dog deserves to be born with equal and good innate health by having a natural ability to breathe freely, blink fully, exercise easily, have healthy flat skin, mate and give birth," Dan O’Neill, lead author and associate professor in companion animal epidemiology at the college, said in a statement.

"For breeds such as English Bulldogs where many dogs still have extreme conformations with poor innate health, the public have a huge role to play by demanding dogs with moderate and healthier conformations. Until then, prospective owners should 'stop and think before buying a flat-faced dog'."

The Royal Veterinary College's VetCompass program compared the health disparities of 2,662 English bulldogs and 22,039 other dogs by looking at disorders recorded in each dog in a year. The results showed the English bulldogs were twice as likely to have at least one disorder in a year compared to others.

Researchers also looked into the differences in 43 common dog disorders and found English bulldogs were at higher risk in 23 of the disorders. The disorders included skin fold dermatitis, protruding lower jaw, skin infections and brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome, also known as poor breathing.

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Group calls for 'immediate redefinition' of breed; US vet says he's 'puzzled'

English, as well as French, bulldogs have been well documented for their health issues.

Dr. Ashley Rossman, a veterinarian at Glen Oak Dog and Cat Hospital in Glenview, Illinois, told USA TODAY in August 2021 bulldogs were more susceptible to heat stroke because they don't have long nasal passages, and they aren't good swimmers to cool off from heat. Norway banned the breeding of English bulldogs in February due to their health concerns.

The group calls for an "immediate redefinition" of the breed to reduce the high rate of health issues. The group adds that English bulldogs should eventually have longer faces, smaller heads and non-wrinkled skin.

Current English bulldog owners are encouraged to monitor all health issues and seek medical advice early if there are concerns.

"The real power for change rests with the public who can demand and purchase only those types of dogs with moderate and healthier conformations," the group wrote.

Dr. Roy Kraemer, a veterinarian who specialized in bulldog care in Orange County, California and wasn't involved in the study, told USA TODAY via email he is "puzzled" by the call to action, saying people shouldn't be discouraged to rescue abandoned, abused bulldogs. He added there are numerous reasons that contribute to the breed's poor health.

"Intense commercial breeding, lack of breeding/breed standard, and insufficient oversight are some of the reasons for the wide range of the (breed's) idiosyncratic medical problems," Kraemer said.

Follow Jordan Mendoza on Twitter: @jordan_mendoza5.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: English bulldog health problems: Some vets caution against getting one