PUG LOVE - Owners are 'hooked on flat-faced dogs' - even though they can develop severe health problems

More than nine out of 10 owners (93 per cent) would choose to own their current breed again, while two-thirds would recommend them to a friend.

They have become the must-have pet of celebrities - fuelling demand the Pug, French Bulldog and English Bulldog.

Vets describe the findings as alarming. Known as brachycephalic breeds, their short noses cause breathing difficulties.

Skin folds trigger poor eyesight and dermatitis. They are also vulnerable to spinal disease, heat stroke and pneumonia.

Their lifespan is reduced by on average four years compared to dogs with longer muzzles.

Study leader Dr Rowena Packer, of the Royal Veterinary College, said: "With a multitude of stakeholders trying to tackle the current brachycephalic boom in the UK, our results are of real concern to these efforts.

"Understanding how breed loyalty develops towards brachycephalic breeds, and whether it can be changed once established, is key to reducing the popularity of short-muzzled breeds."

Breed loyalty may lead to their continued proliferation and popularity, despite the substantial health risks.

Dr Packer said: "If first time owners of flat-faced dogs choose these breeds for the rest of their lives, then the current crisis could continue for decades.

"Although strong focus has been placed upon dissuading new puppy buyers from purchasing brachycephalic breeds, as they are now some of the most popular breeds in the UK, attention should also be turned to current owners.

"Priority should be given to developing evidence-based strategies to help these owners consider lower risk, healthier breeds when acquiring future dogs.

"Our novel findings start this process by highlighting the key behavioural characteristics that this owner group value."

The number of brachycephalic dogs has boomed dramatically across the world in the last decade.

Some veterinarians consider the welfare of bulldogs, French bulldogs and pugs is too compromised to continue breeding.

They can also be bad for humans. Owners of pets with chronic illnesses report greater psychological distress and a lower quality of life.

The study published in PLOS ONE is the first to explore the desire to reacquire or recommend flat-faced dogs in the UK.

Previous research by the same team has found owners are initially attracted by their distinctive appearance.

But the poll of over 2,000 owners of Pugs, French Bulldogs and English Bulldogs found they are most loved for their 'behaviour traits'.

Essentially, owners come for the looks, but stay for the personality, explained the researchers.

Owners of all three breeds were very confident they would own their breed again in the future.

Key reasons for owners recommending their breed included:

The perceptions that these dogs were loving and affectionate, loyal, comical, ‘clown-like’ and playful.

A belief that they were suitable for households with children.

A perception that flat-faced breeds are ‘lazy’ and require little exercise, so are suited to sedentary lifestyles with limited space.

Conversely, aspects of their breed that owners would not recommend included:

High maintenance requirements.

Impacts on owner lifestyle including excessive hair shedding and loud snoring.

Health problems being common and high vet bills.

Behavioural traits including stubbornness, neediness, and aggression.

First-time dog owners and those that had a very close relationship with their current flat-faced dog were most likely to want to own their breed again.

But recognising their current dog had severe breathing problems or were experiencing behaviour worse than they expected reduced this desire.

Only a small number of owners cited concerns over ethical and welfare issues associated with breeding flat-faced dogs, such as irresponsible breeding practices and suffering associated with their body shape, as a reason that they would not recommend them.

Dr Packer said the results can be used to inform interventions that highlight undesirable traits of brachycephalic dogs and desirable traits of other breeds to control the population boom in brachycephalic breeds in the long term.

She added: "Although dog breed popularity often follows a boom and bust pattern, our results are of real concern as they indicate that this 'brachy boom' is here to stay.

"Owners are becoming hooked on the loving personalities of these sweet dogs, but also accepting and normalising their shocking health issues."