PDSA responds to decline in flat-faced dogs 

05 June 2026

Brachycephalic (flat-faced) dogs including pugs and French bulldogs are declining in popularity, data suggests. 

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 pugs registered in the first three months of 2026. 

The recent declines appear to be part of a larger trend. Pug registrations fell from 10,408 in 2016 to 834 in 2025. French bulldog registrations fell to 7,750 in 2025 from a high of 54,074 in 2021. 

PDSA says: 

“The recent reduction in the breeding and acquisition of brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds highlighted by Royal Kennel Club is a really positive step, reflecting growing awareness of the health and welfare needs of these pets. 

“At PDSA our teams treat hundreds of pets every day who have extreme conformation and numbers have been rising. For example, in 2012 PDSA had just 335 French Bulldogs (a breed with extreme conformation) registered, in 2025, that number was over 33,000, which is an increase of 9781% in real terms. 

“Therefore it’s encouraging to see the recent progress, and we hope it continues - leading to further improvements in the health and wellbeing of these breeds, and a reduction in conditions such as breathing difficulties, eye problems, skin fold infections, spinal problems, and other long-term issues that can seriously affect quality of life and even be life-limiting in some cases. 

“Continued collaboration between breeders, owners, veterinary professionals and welfare organisations will play a vital role in supporting healthier breeding choices and achieving lasting improvements in pet welfare. Ultimately, we need to tackle the underlying issues driving extreme breeding, otherwise, we may see further extreme conformation emerging in other breeds.”