… and what it means for Puppy seekers!The Kennel Club published their 3rd quarter registration stats this week, and puppy registrations are down by 17%. Even more surprising, Bulldogs are down by a whopping 39%, the second* most significant drop in the top ten most favoured breeds to under 6,000 born up to September 2023. To give you an idea, there were over 21,000 French Bulldogs registered and over 30,000 Labradors - crazy numbers. Remember, many popular 'fad and fashion' dogs can’t be KC registered because of their coat colour or type (which means they aren’t purebred) and don’t get me started on the XL bully ban. American Bullies are ABKC reg, and their number is unknown in this country - but it’s A LOT. Now, this isn’t a bad thing, in my opinion. Far too many puppies have been bred for a quick buck since the pandemic, so it’s good to see it normalise again. Also, global economic pressures were always going to impact demand. And I’m sure the rescue and rehome charities are singing their praises for the decline. But it also means that buying a well-bred, quality Bulldog puppy is harder than ever. Any breeder that’s worth their sort will have a waitlist, so if you want to add a puppy to your family any time soon, make sure you get on a list and be prepared to wait. * Pugs dropped by 42% and are no longer in the Top 10. I was sent this intriguing study printed in the Telegraph that I think you'll find absolutely adorable. Researchers have found that our fascination with flat-faced dogs like Bulldogs, Pugs, and French bulldogs is due to their uncanny ability to tug at our heartstrings like babies. I've struggled to believe this because anyone who knows me knows my 'baby interest' is absolutely zero. Coo, I do not. These brachycephalic breeds, known for their cute, baby-like faces and large eyes, have been gaining popularity for decades. According to the study from Hungary, their helplessness is the key. When faced with a problem, they're more likely to seek help from humans rather than solve it themselves. I was dumbfounded by the above, but it's most certainly true from my years of experience, and I even wrote about my IQ and EQ differences with my Bulldog vs. Labrador emails.
The study suggests that this behaviour increases the bond between humans and these cute canines, making us feel more attached to and dependent on them. It's almost as if they've evolved to trigger our nurturing instincts. And here's the kicker: While some may argue that Bulldogs are less independent, the researchers suggest they've mastered a different strategy. They use their "baby-like" behaviour to get humans to solve their problems. Pretty clever, right? So, the next time your bulldog looks at you with those big, innocent eyes, remember they're just tugging at your heartstrings with their irresistible charm! |
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AuthorWritten exclusively by Sara, a proud founder of the LaRoyal name and a seasoned bulldog enthusiast, our blogs are overflowing with an abundance of show wins, captivating ideas, and a plethora of thoughts and feelings. We are thrilled to embark on this journey, sharing our "real-life" dog ownership experiences with you, our valued readers. Archives
December 2023
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