I used to think French Bulldogs were cute. I mean, who doesn’t? That squishy little face, the big round eyes, the way they waddle – it’s the kind of “adorable” you see all over Instagram and in influencer ads. But after what I experienced firsthand, I can’t look at them the same way any more.

This post isn’t about judgment, it’s about truth. It’s about what I saw while volunteering at a shelter in Italy, and why I now feel so deeply sorry for these dogs.

What I witnessed in a boarding home in Italy

A while back, I volunteered at a boarding home/shelter in Italy. It wasn’t just a place for dogs to stay while their owners went on holiday, it was also a kind of last stop for dogs that were dumped or abandoned. People would literally stop near the home, drop their dogs off, and disappear. Some even abandoned dogs while boarding them. Staff told me about owners who moved house and left no forwarding info, and when they checked on why they don’t pick up their dog, the address was empty.

But what really stuck with me was something else.

Some space of the home was filled with French Bulldog females. They weren’t there because they were rescued – they were being used for breeding. When boarding income dropped, breeding those dogs became their fallback.

I don’t say the owners were bad to the dogs. They gave the dogs food, meds, kept the place clean, and they loved dogs. But breeding dogs for money – especially breeds like Frenchies – is where things go really wrong, even when people think they’re helping.

A designer dog with a life full of health problems

Some of the Frenchies there had visible skin problems. One of the oldest females still keeps breaking my heart when I think about her. Sitting in her kennel, all by herself after her puppies where gone, didn’t know what to do with herself. All she wanted was cuddles and someone next to her. I still feel bad I didn’t spend more time with her. I was mostly cleaning kennels, feeding, and giving meds, just trying to make sure all the dogs had clean spaces and their basic needs met. But I’ll never forget the sadness in her eyes.

And the breathing… Piggy snorting sounds everywhere. If you’ve ever tried breathing through a completely clogged nose on a hot summer day, you’ll understand. You’d give up and breathe through your mouth. But these dogs? They don’t get to choose. This is their everyday life.

French Bulldogs are bred to suffer

French Bulldogs, like Pugs and Boxers, are brachycephalic – meaning they have short, squashed skulls. That “cute” look comes at a serious cost. Most can’t breathe properly. Many require surgery just to have open airways. According to the British Veterinary Association, French Bulldogs are at risk for over 20 different health conditions, including:

• Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS)
• Skin fold infections
• Eye ulcers
• Spinal deformities
• Reproductive issues (most are born via C-section)

In fact, over 80% of French Bulldogs need artificial insemination and Caesarean sections just to reproduce. This isn’t natural – this is humans forcing dogs to be born broken, just because they look “cute.”

And because of all that, they’re often on lifelong medications or in and out of vet clinics. Some don’t even survive the surgery meant to help them breathe.

Why so many end up in shelters

It’s not just the health issues. People buy these dogs because of how they look, but they’re rarely prepared for the cost, the care, or the emotional needs of the breed. I’ve read articles and watched videos where vets talk about how many Frenchies they see – not just for surgeries, but to be surrendered, or even euthanized.

People get overwhelmed. They don’t do the research. And the dogs pay the price.

If I could go back…

Looking back, I wouldn’t volunteer there again. Not because of the people, but because I don’t want to support breeding – especially of dogs bred into discomfort, dogs bred to suffer for the sake of aesthetics.

I didn’t speak up at the time. I chose to go there, and I turned a blind eye to the breeding side of things. It was hard to find dog shelter placements within that volunteer network, especially as a non-Italian speaker, so I went with that one.

But if I had known then what I know now, I would’ve done it differently.

My message: Please, stop buying these breeds

This post isn’t about blame. It’s about awareness. If you’re considering getting a French Bulldog – or any dog – please educate yourself.

Ask yourself:

• Can I afford the medical bills if something goes wrong?
• Do I understand the breed’s temperament and needs?
• Am I choosing this dog because I love the dog… or because someone famous has one too?

Too many dogs end up in shelters because they were bought on impulse, without understanding what they really require. And designer breeds like Frenchies, Pugs, and Boxers? They’re suffering because of our choices.

I’m not here to guilt-trip anyone. But I am here to ask you to think twice. To adopt, not shop. And to speak up for the dogs who can’t say “this is irritating,” even when it is.

Final thought

French Bulldogs didn’t ask to be born this way. They’re the product of human decisions, and we owe them better than a lifetime of struggling to breathe.

Let’s stop normalizing suffering as “cute.”
Let’s start normalizing compassion.

Adopt. Don’t shop. And if you’re not ready to adopt – donate.