French bulldogs are the hottest new dog in town.
Debora Robertson 9 FEBRUARY 2016 • 5:13PM
You see them everywhere, outside cool cafés and city parks, snuggled into little coats, (their own, or their owners’), or snoring quietly in their baskets in the corners of smart boutiques. They sit on the chicest laps and attend the glitziest parties. The French bulldog has arrived, possibly fashionably late.
The Kennel Club reported this week a 2,747 per cent increase in the registration of
French Bulldogs (Frenchies, to their intimates) since 2004, making them now one of the country’s most popular breeds and to the detriment of the British dog classics such as the Yorkshire terrier and Cavalier King Charles spaniel (whose popularity has plummeted as massive 61 per cent) .
French bulldogs are now one of the country's most popular breeds.
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Frenchies, you may think, are unlikely stars. These piglet-bellied, googly-eyed, bat-eared, lolling-tongued creatures look like a five-minutes-to-closing trolley dash around the dog part store. But the whole is definitely lovelier than the sum of its parts.
These friendly, cheerful creatures have character enough to pass the 'proper dog’ test, but are small enough for their owners to take them on buses or in cabs, to work or play.
"Because they’re fashionable, there are some unscrupulous breeders out there ignoring potential issues such as not socialising their pups properly or bothering to find good homes for them"
They’re suitable for city dwellers with small flats and, for those who care about that sort of thing, they’re a bull breed, so they’re just macho enough for those seeking the metrosexual mutt du jour.
The Frenchie certainly has its share of celebrity fans too. Carrie Fisher’s Gary has seen more red carpet than Leonardo DiCaprio. The Beckhams have their Scarlet, Lady Gaga is devoted to her 'batpig’, Asia, and when we say Reese Witherspoon rarely leaves home without Coco Chanel, we’re talking about her It Dog rather than her It Bag.
Lady Gaga and her French bulldog Asia.
But it’s not all front row seats and kibble canapés. Louise Glazebrook, dog behaviourist and trainer, and author of Dog About Town: How to Raise A Happy Dog In the City, says, 'Frenchies are clown dogs, they’re fun creatures. They make great family pets’. However, this comes with a warning.
"Kennel Club registration of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, the Queen’s favourite, has fallen below 300 puppies for the first time, placing it on the Vulnerable Native Breed Register"
Because they’re fashionable, there are some unscrupulous breeders out there ignoring potential issues such as not socialising their pups properly or bothering to find good homes for them. 'They’re only interested in the money, which can be as much as £1500 to £2500 a puppy’, says Louise.
'I see something I never saw 10 years ago, which is breed-specific rescues, especially for fashion dogs like pugs and chihuahuas. It reflects our society. People buy a puppy because it’s cool, but they haven’t researched the breed or the breeder. They get into problems and they discard the dog.’
Ashley Olsen arrives at LAX airport with her dog.
According to a report Blue Cross, the pet charity, the number of “handbag” dogs handed in to be re-homed has increased by 120 per cent in the last five years.
Another sad fact about the rise and rise of the dog du jour is that the overwhelming popularity of one breed means that other breeds struggle to maintain large enough numbers to ensure their population is properly sustained.
For example, Kennel Club registration of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, the Queen’s favourite, has fallen below 300 puppies for the first time, placing it on the Vulnerable Native Breed Register.
Louise says, 'Corgis are lovely dogs, they make brilliant family pets. But the Queen isn’t on Instagram, posting endless pictures of her dogs and driving trends.’
So, when looking for a pooch to share our lives with, perhaps it would be better for everyone if we paid more attention to finding a friend, rather than following a trend?
Which dog tribe are you?
French fancies
Urban types love French bulldogs.
The fashionable dog of the moment, French Bulldogs are beloved of urban types with more space in their hearts than in their homes. They think these small, mad-looking dogs make them look quirky. Sometimes the dogs have bigger personalities than the owners.
Natural habitat Cool urban markets; Fashionable openings; First Class - always.
Most likely to Instagram their dogs, au naturel or in something chic from favourite outfitters to the dapper dog,
hollyandlil.co.uk (Union Jack Dog Walking Handbag, £365 or
lovemydog.co.uk (Hoxton Harris Tweed Bed, £245).
Least likely to say 'Dog hair on the furniture just makes it all more homey.’
Rescue me
Staffordshire Bull Terriers are often found in Rescue centres.
Staffordshire Bull Terriers are lovely dogs who’ve had a bad rap. Rescue centres are now full of Staffies, but some of them have the great fortune to be welcomed into the loving, compassionate arms of those keen to have a dog in their lives - and to signal every morning during their dog walk quite how very right on and compassionate they are. Just in case their neighbours were in any doubt.
Natural habitat: subscribing to the nearest doga class – dog yoga is such a great way to form a spiritual bond with your pet.
Most likely to own: a wide selection of Fairtrade cotton throws to hide the chewed bits on the furniture.
Least likely to say: 'I like the dog’s lead to coordinate with my outfit.’
Saved for the nation
There are only 1,000 Glen of Imaals dogs left in the world.
Glen of Imaals, Lancashire Heelers, Dandie Dinmonts – these are not Scottish country dances, but the people who own them may very well be familiar with all the steps. These special people are devoted to trying to save endangered dog breeds for the nation.
Natural habitat: On the internet, examining breed lines. In constant state of anxiety about what happens when you type 'stud’ or 'bitch’ into a search engine.
Most likely to own: no man-made fibres; be a tireless seller of prize draw tickets for the local branch of the Countryside Alliance.
Least likely to say: 'I think I’ll give Country Life a miss this week.’
New Labs
Labradors are increasingly fashionable in the city.
Labradors have always been a countryside favourite, but they’re increasingly becoming a fashionable favourite too, walked by people in new wellies. It’s easy to infer that while they’d like you to think they have acres of grouse moor to roam across at weekends, they actually hide in their London flats from Friday to Sunday.
Natural habitat: Spending a small fortune on organic chicken wings in the local food market 'for his teeth’.
Most likely to have: locks on all the kitchen cupboards
Least likely to say: 'I struggle to get to find something he really likes to eat.’
Todd Huber @ToddHuberSS
Credit: RSPCA