A new UK survey shows people feel split on crossbreeding brachycephalic dogs. Many support it, and they expect healthier puppies with fewer breathing issues. But others hesitate, and they worry about unpredictability, new health risks, and the loss of what they see as a “true” breed.
The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) surveyed 4,899 people across the UK. The group included dog owners, past owners, future owners, and people who do not own a dog. The results land right in the middle of a growing debate. Flat-faced breeds stay popular, but health concerns keep piling up.
Why crossbreeding flat-faced dogs is being discussed more often
Flat-faced breeds often include Pugs, French Bulldogs, and English Bulldogs. Many people love their look, and they love their calm, companion style. But the same traits can come with real problems. Breathing trouble shows up a lot. Eye disease can follow. Skin infections, dental issues, and spine problems appear too. Shorter lifespans can be part of the picture as well.
So the question keeps coming back. Can crossbreeding reduce harm and still keep the traits people enjoy? Some welfare groups think it can. They see crossbreeding as one possible route toward dogs with less extreme faces and better day-to-day comfort.
At the same time, a lot of owners feel nervous about changing familiar breeds. That tension shows up clearly in the survey results.
What people like about crossbreeding brachycephalic dogs
Across all groups in the survey, one reason stood out. People want better health.
Many respondents linked crossbreeding with easier breathing and a less extreme face shape. They connected it with fewer eye and skin issues too. And they described it in a simple way. A dog that can breathe well, sleep well, and handle normal activity looks like a better life.
Here’s how often each owner group chose “improved health” as the main benefit:
- 43.0% of non-flat-faced crossbreed owners
- 37.2% of non-flat-faced purebred owners
- 42.5% of flat-faced crossbreed owners
- 33.2% of flat-faced purebred owners
So yes, health sits at the top. But support levels change depending on what people already own and love.
The big worries people still carry
Even people who support the health goal still have concerns. They don’t just say “yes” and move on. They pause, and they list risks.
One worry comes up a lot. Some people believe crossbreeding can create new health issues. And that fear shows strongest among owners of purebred flat-faced dogs. In that group, 23.5% said crossbreeding itself could cause health problems.
Another worry sounds simple but it matters. People want predictability. They want to know what the dog will look like, and they want to know how the dog will behave.
“Reduced predictability of appearance and temperament” was seen as a drawback by:
- 12.2% of purebred flat-faced dog owners
- 13.1% of purebred non-flat-faced dog owners
Then there’s a deeper emotional point. Some respondents mentioned “loss of pedigree” or “genetic purity.” That language shows attachment, and it shows tradition. For some people, a breed means history and identity, not only looks.
A surprising fear from non-flat-faced dog owners
One detail in the survey stands out. Owners of non-flat-faced dogs often worried that harmful flat-faced traits could spread into other breeds.
More than a quarter of that group shared that fear. Yet purebred flat-faced owners reported it far less, at 9.6%. That gap hints at something real. People who already love flat-faced dogs focus on improving them. People outside that world may fear the problem expands.
So the split is not only about crossbreeding. It is about trust, and it is about what people think will happen next.
What people say they would do when choosing a dog
This survey didn’t stop at opinions. It asked people what they might do in the future, and the answers show a strong divide.
Non-flat-faced dog owners sounded cautious. Only 16.6% said they would consider getting a flat-faced crossbreed. Many of them preferred adoption from a rescue rather than buying a puppy. That choice suggests a softer approach. They want to help an existing dog first, and they want to avoid fuelling risky breeding.
But current flat-faced dog owners responded very differently. 55.2% of purebred flat-faced owners said they would consider a flat-faced crossbreed in the future. And 51.8% of flat-faced crossbreed owners said the same.
So the group most likely to buy these dogs again may be the group most open to change.
What this means for health-first pet choices
A lot of people now look at pets through a health lens. They still want a dog that fits their home. But they care more about comfort, breathing, and long-term wellbeing than they did years ago.
That mindset shows up in other areas too, like feeding choices and brand trust. If you want a wider view of how pet owners think right now, this piece breaks it down clearly: UK pet owners put health first, 47% want pet food brands to focus on wellbeing.
This is the same pattern in a different shape. People love pets, and they want better outcomes. Then they run into tradition, habit, and marketing, and the decision gets messy.
What buyers can do next
People often feel stuck between “cute” and “healthy.” So it helps to focus on simple checks you can use in real life.
Here are practical steps that support healthier choices:
- Watch the dog at rest. Quiet breathing matters.
- Look for open nostrils and a longer muzzle.
- Ask for health testing and vet records.
- Avoid puppies that snort, wheeze, or struggle after light play.
- Choose breeders who talk about function and comfort, not only looks.
These steps won’t fix the whole system overnight. But they push demand toward healthier dogs, and they reward better breeding choices.
A real divide, and a clear direction
This survey shows a plain truth. People do not agree on crossbreeding brachycephalic dogs. Some see hope and better health. Others see risk and loss of predictability.
Still, the direction is getting clearer. The public wants dogs that can breathe well and live comfortably. And more owners are ready to put health first, even if the dog looks a little different than the old “classic” version.
If crossbreeding can deliver healthier dogs with stable temperament, support will grow. And if it cannot, people will keep searching for other answers. Either way, the conversation has shifted. It is less about keeping a look, and more about protecting the dog behind it.
