Vets welcome data indicating fall in UK popularity of flat-faced dog breeds

Royal Kennel Club figures show significant declines in registrations of French bulldogs, bulldogs and pugs

Squashed-face dogs including pugs and French bulldogs are declining in popularity, data suggests, with experts hopeful the trend reflects a growing awareness of the health problems such breeds face.

According to breed registration statistics from the UK’s Royal Kennel Club (RKC), there were 1,400 registrations of French bulldogs in the first three months of 2026 – a 37% drop compared with the same period in 2025. Bulldog registrations dropped by 34% and pug registrations by 43% with only 126 of the breed registered in the first three months of 2026.