French bulldogs, this is the breed of dogs that have stolen from Lady Gaga
This breed, very beautiful and sociable, is associated with the upper classes and the world of art. But not everything is pretty: they are also among the dogs with the highest abandonment rate.
Events like this have been happening for several months in many cities in the United States, but now it is causing everyone to talk because its protagonist is one of the most media singers in the world: Lady Gaga. This week, two men armed with guns shot the American artist's dog walker and kidnapped two of the three French bulldogs that she keeps as her pets.
Lady Gaga, who is now in Rome filming the movie 'Gucci', has offered $ 500,000 as a reward to whoever finds hers two loyal friends of hers. This amount, although it may seem exorbitant, it is not so much ... and not only because of the heritage that the artist accumulates, but because French bulldogs are one of the most coveted breeds in the world today.
Small, muscular and an icon of the upper classes
French Bulldogs are descendants of French Bulldogs and English Bulldogs (much heavier than the former). In addition, they are the result of successive crosses made by breeders in Paris in the 19th century with the aim of achieving an agile and athletic breed and that they were good watchdogs, according to the International Cynological Federation. At that time they were popular pets in the most humble areas of the cities, although now they are a symbol of high society and the artistic world, as Lady Gaga herself demonstrates.
The dogs of this breed are of the molossus type, which is a category that includes dogs with a muscular build, strong jaws, large heads and short muzzles. Specifically, French bulldogs are small in stature, compact in all their proportions and short hair. Their tail is also small and their ears are erect and especially large, to the point that they are known as 'bat ears'. On the other hand, the average weight of these animals is between 8 and 11 kilograms, according to the brand 'Hills', a specialist in dogs.
Protective dog, little barker
This kind of bulldogs are ideal to have as pets: they are cheerful and playful, they look for a lot of affection, they do not have problems of coexistence with children and other pets and only bark when they want to attract attention. In addition, they are a good option for families who live in more open chalets or houses because they are always alert to dangers and bark when they feel noise, perfectly fulfilling the role of guard dog. However, they can be happy in any type of home because they do not need large yards, according to the pet store 'Zooplus'.
On the other hand, they are stubborn animals because of their bulldog remnant and the process of educating them can be long and painstaking. They are sometimes very nervous and tend to snore and accumulate gas. For jogging, for example, they are not the best company: they prefer a quiet walk or stay at home demanding the attention of the owners.
From being the fashionable dog to one of the most abandoned
It is precisely their fun and glamorous appearance and how simple it is to live with them is what makes French bulldogs one of the most demanded dogs in many parts of the world. "Here in Spain they became fashionable about 10 years ago, mainly due to advertising. Brands take out advertisements with these dogs and people want to have them," Liliana Meza, president of 'Sos Frenchie', an association, explains to laSexta.com. who is dedicated to adopting bulldogs.
"And then it happens that there are many celebrities who have bought dogs of this breed. They have become a symbol of power and social status, to the point that having a French bulldog is like wearing a Rolex or a Dolce Gabbana t-shirt ", laments Meza, who defines the possession of these dogs as further proof of the" capitalist and consumerist world "in which we live.
That popularity of bulldogs is one of the reasons why they are one of the most expensive dogs. According to Meza, in Spain they are sold for between 800 and 900 euros, an affordable price compared to other countries. In the United States, for example, its cost ranges between 2,000 and 3,000 dollars (between 1,650 and 2,500 euros) and in Argentina a dog of this breed can cost the equivalent of 3,500 euros. "The higher the demand, the more they cost. People even ask for loans to buy them," acknowledges the president of 'Sos Frenchie'.
The other reason behind these prices is that the cost of raising and keeping these dogs is very high. "On the one hand, almost all mothers require caesarean section because bulldogs' heads are very large and there are complications in childbirth. And a well-done operation costs between 600 and 900 euros, although illegal breeders do it for 150 euros. What happens? That they do not operate well and this generates more health problems for the dogs later on, "argues Meza. "In addition, they require a lot of veterinary care. Many times, when they are adopted from Eastern European countries, they bring diseases or present violent behaviors, and maintaining them is complicated," she warns.
♦️QUIERES SER PADRINO/MADRINA??♦️
— Asociación SOSFrenchie (@AsocSOSFRENCHIE) May 6, 2020
Buenos días!! Esperamos que todos estéis bien.
Hoy vamos a contaros lo que significa ser padrino o madrina de uno de nuestros gordos. Significa ayudar mensualmente con una cantidad… https://t.co/SWRnngwjkQ
For this reason, many families end up abandoning them. "Now the trend in Spain has changed. We are in the downward phase of the demand curve that began a decade ago, to speak in terms of a pandemic," illustrates the canine specialist. "To this we must add a very high abandonment rate. Those who suffer the most, by figures, are mongrel dogs, especially greyhounds, but it also affects French bulldogs," Meza details. "And why are they abandoned? Because of a mass production and because people, although they love them, cannot keep them. Or they have a great lack of conscience ...", she sums up.
At this point is where associations such as 'Sos Frenchie' intervene, which has been hosting molossers for 11 years, including French bulldogs. Currently they collect about 180 dogs a year and give 150 to families for adoption. "To collect them from illegal breeding grounds is to be complicit with them, but what do we do? If we don't take them in, they are left abandoned. We have that double dilemma", Meza reflects. And she concludes with little optimism: "the abandonment of dogs will continue to exist. It is the product of a society that consumes animals."
