A Call for Ethical Reporting to support Ethical Breeding Practices
Immediate release: 5 June 2024

The French Bulldog Club of NSW is reaching out to journalist Siobhan Marini and her colleagues in response to her recent report on Radio National and ABC Online. Her article, titled “Think you’re an ethical pet owner? Perhaps you should think again,” discusses the high costs of owning a French Bulldog.

We acknowledge the health challenges faced by some French Bulldogs and the importance of responsible breeding. However, we believe Ms. Marini’s article exemplifies a broader issue: the misidentification of crossbred “look-alike” dogs as purebred French Bulldogs. Even the image used in the article depicts a dog that is clearly a crossbreed.

This misrepresentation is pervasive, often stemming from research methodologies that rely on owner and veterinary identification without verifying the dog’s breed through a Dogs Australia (formerly ANKC) approved pedigree or DNA test. Our club’s registered breeders are responsible for only 7.8% of the Frenchie population in NSW. If research focused solely on these responsibly bred dogs, we are confident the health data would be significantly different.

Adding Frenchies bred under the Dogs Australia code to that number, verifiable purebred French Bulldogs comprise only 25.8% of the total population. This means nearly 75% of dogs claiming to be “Frenchies” are potentially skewing data and leading to misleading conclusions. This inaccurate data is then used by ethicists, lobbyists, and lawmakers to make decisions about the breed’s future and journalists to report on our “health scorecard”.

Three-quarters of the dogs in NSW claiming to be “Frenchies” are bred by opportunists who exploit the hard work of passionate, ethical breeders. These unethical profiteers use our genetics without our consent, producing fraudulent “Frenchies” that often suffer severe health issues and die young.

To address these concerns, it is imperative to require Dogs Australia-approved pedigrees or DNA tests for all reporting, especially in veterinary and scientific research on Frenchie health. Proof of breed must be mandatory. Journalists also have a professional obligation to verify breed identity when reporting on specific breeds.

Ignoring these issues contributes to the destruction of a once-great breed. If responsible breeders are driven out, unethical breeders will dominate, exacerbating the breed’s health problems and potentially leading to the loss of over 120 years of acquired knowledge and a robust genetic pool.

Animal ethicists should collaborate with dedicated breed lovers to ensure the best outcomes for animals. Restrictions and prohibitions harm responsible breeders while doing nothing to curb backyard breeders and puppy mills. Dialogue, collaboration, and public education are far more effective tools for ensuring positive outcomes for dogs.

Contrary to claims about high costs, responsible breeders find that Frenchies are no more expensive than other breeds—unless bought from negligent breeders. In fact, responsible breeders often provide initial pet insurance to offer peace of mind to new owners and when kept up ensures access to the best care without imposing a financial burden.

The French Bulldog community faces significant challenges, but by accurately identifying crossbred “look-alike” dogs, promoting ethical breeding practices, and distinguishing between genuine and unethically bred French Bulldogs, we can protect the integrity of this beloved breed. With the support of the French Bulldog Club, responsible breeders, and the certainty provided by Dogs Australia pedigrees, we can ensure the health, welfare, and happiness of French Bulldogs for generations to come.

French Bulldog Club of NSW Inc.
Promoting Health, Welfare, & Ethical Breeding Practices
Contact: Lloyd Grosse, Publicity Officer

Email: publicity@frenchbulldogclubnsw.asn.au
Phone: 0406 733 501

Download the Media Release by Clicking here.