wHY IT'S BECOMING HARDER TO FIND A QUALITY BULLDOG

​Tradition vs Trend: Why Pedigrees Matter More Than Ever

​There's a quiet crisis brewing in the world of dog breeding, and if you care about the future of our beloved pedigree breeds, it's time to take notice.

The Kennel Club recently published its 2024 registration figures, and the numbers are stark. Last year saw the lowest number of dogs registered since 1988. Over 32,000 fewer than any other year since that date. While no official figure has been confirmed, it is widely acknowledged that The Kennel Club has experienced a significant decline in revenue linked to falling registration numbers. While some might assume this means fewer puppies are being bred, the reality is far more concerning. Many puppies are still being bred without proper registration.
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​Bred for Buzzwords? The Shift in Breeding Culture.
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I believe there are three major forces behind this decline in responsible, KC-recognised breeding.

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1. The designer crossbreed boom

The market for so-called "designer dogs," such as Cockapoos, Maltipoos and Dalmadoodles, continues to skyrocket. These trendy mixes can't be KC registered, regardless of quality. Yet they dominate platforms like Pets4Homes and are often priced between £2,000 and £3,000 per puppy.

Most are bred by individuals with no long-term breeding plan, little involvement with a breed club and a limited understanding of structure, type, and temperament. These are not puppies bred with purpose. They're bred for popularity and profit.

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​2. The erosion of the breed standard

Even within recognised pedigree breeds, a worrying shift is occurring. They are more likely to be described as "rare" or "exotic" because they have KC disqualifying colours, such as lilac, blue, merle or tri, incorrect coat textures, excessive wrinkles, pigment issues, or structural faults, like straight tails and flat muzzles.

I've also seen a marked increase in stud enquiries from owners of bitches with non-recognised colours or those without Kennel Club registration. While these owners may be well-meaning, we never approve of such pairings. Not because we're elitist but because we're ethical. Breeding outside the breed standard is a disservice to the breed's health, function and reputation.

If someone doesn't love the breed as it's meant to be, why are they breeding it?

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3. The rise of alternative registration schemes

Perhaps most deceptive of all is the growth of alternative registries offering flashy-looking certificates and "pedigrees" for dogs that are not KC registered. These schemes like DWKC create the illusion of legitimacy but lack the infrastructure, integrity and recognition of The Kennel Club.

These registries lack a regulated health testing framework, allow for disqualifying colours and exaggerated traits, and are not recognised by breed clubs or canine institutions. They do not offer breeder inspections, education, or support. In many cases, they are simply paid-for paper mills that disguise the fact a dog would not qualify for KC registration.

To an unsuspecting buyer, the paperwork may look official. But by the time they realise what they've bought, it's often too late.

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​Why does KC registration matter?

The Kennel Club isn't just a paperwork provider. It is the central pillar of canine welfare, ethics and education in the UK. It ensures breed preservation, health recording and breeder accountability.

Founded in 1873, The Kennel Club has been responsible for maintaining official records of pedigree lineage and upholding breed standards in the UK for over 150 years. It manages:

• Official registration and lineage tracking of pedigree dogs
• Breeder Scheme Initiatives
• Health testing partnerships and conservation plans
• Accredited education for breeders and judges
• ​The KC Charitable Trust
• Young Kennel Club and Youth Involvement
• Crufts, which The Kennel Club has organised since 1891 and other regulated canine activities such as agility, obedience, rally and heelwork to music
• Breed rescue and legislative lobbying

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No alternative registry provides anything close.

The breed standard is not about looks.

The breed standard isn't about show dogs. It's a blueprint for function, health and temperament. When breeders deliberately ignore the standard in favour of trend-led features, they are distorting the breed, not improving it.

Exaggerated traits such as excessive wrinkle, extreme muzzle shortening or unusual colours are linked to fundamental health issues, including:

• Breathing difficulties
• Chronic infections
• Spinal deformities​
• Eye and ear disorders
• Lameness and structural issues

These traits are not rare or special. They are risky.

If you already own a dog like this

If you've purchased a dog without KC paperwork or from a breeder who didn't educate you correctly, that doesn't mean your dog is any less loved. But it does mean you should be cautious if considering breeding or promoting them as representative of the breed.

Responsible ownership includes being open to learning and making informed decisions for the future.

If this trend continues

We risk losing some of the UK's best bloodlines. Lines with not just visual quality but soundness, health and temperament. With each exaggerated or unregistered litter, the true Bulldog slips further into obscurity, drowned out by marketing terms like "rare" and "exotic."

This is not progress. It is quiet destruction.

Learn what quality really looks like

That's why I created the Star Puppy Approach, a course designed to give you complete confidence and clarity in finding a well-bred puppy. Whether you're looking now or planning ahead, it will guide you through:

🐾 What real KC paperwork looks like
🐾 How to spot and avoid misleading "registries"
🐾 The difference between a health check and a health test
🐾 How to find a breeder of genuine reputation and care
🐾 How coat colour, structure and exaggeration affect health
🐾 What ethical breeder–owner relationships should feel like

👉🏼 Take the Star Puppy Approach 👈🏼