FIFTEEN years ago, Paris Hilton set trends toting her chihuahua, Tinkerbell, in a designer handbag.
Today, pets of the rich and famous are often stars in their own right - some with their own Instagram accounts with legions of followers.
Social media has proven a prime outlet for both famous and non-famous animal enthusiasts to share images and videos of their ‘fur babies’ for others to coo-over - just like proud parents.
But with Paris Hilton’s red carpet days coming to an end, and with it her chihuahua-toting influence (not to mention Tinkerbell’s 2015 departure to the big doggie kennel in the sky), a cast of equally-cute canines has stolen the limelight and is taking the internet by storm.
The verdict is in: the French Bulldog is so hot right now. Celebrity A-listers including Leonardo DiCaprio, Lady Gaga, Madonna, Hugh Jackman and Snoop Dogg have all been spotted parading the designer pooch, and its popularity has grown steadily around the globe - from Hollywood right over to the Hawkesbury.
Affectionately called the ‘Frenchie’, the breed is known for being loyal, clever and vivacious, with ‘clown-like’ qualities. (It’s compact, too, making it a choice companion for the jet-setting elite.)
According to statistics from the Australian National Kennel Council, French Bulldog registrations in Australia rose 92 per cent this past decade, from 233 in 2005, to 2896 in 2015. The number of unregistered Frenchies is anyone’s guess.
Local veterinarian, Dr Alison Wardman of Richmond Veterinary Hospital, said the number of Frenchies presenting at her clinic has risen noticeably during the period, along with other brachycephalic breeds - dogs with shorter and wider heads, giving the face a ‘pushed in’ appearance.
“We think there is a trend in the brachycephalic area. We’re definitely starting to see more French Bulldogs and Pugs. We’re also seeing Pugaliers - Pugs crossed with Cavalier King Charles Spaniels,” she said.
“Many people find brachycephalic dogs cuter than other breeds because they’re more like babies in their faces. But they can also have airway problems.”
A Hawkesbury-based French Bulldog breeder, North Richmond Veterinary Hospital’s Dr Karen Hedberg, agrees that brachycephalic pooches are currently in vogue.
She said the rise in popularity is partly to do with the cuteness-factor, but also due to an increase in apartment-living.
“French Bulldogs, Pugs, British Bulldogs, Pekingese, Griffon Bruxellois, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Boston Terriers all look like humans to a certain extend, with their big eyes and short noses,” she said.
“Average backyard sizes have quartered in the last 30 to 40 years, so people want smaller dogs with less coat hair, like Frenchies. They’re fairly quiet dogs, too, so they’re not going to annoy your neighbours.”
She warned prospective buyers should do their research, and advised against purchasing from breeders not registered with the French Bulldog Club of NSW.
“I find a lot of people haven’t done their homework when they go out and buy puppies. There are a lot of backyard breeders out there, and it’s a real pity,” she said.
She said there are all too many cases of people paying up to $10,000 for unregistered Frenchie puppies in ‘fad colours’, many of which suffer from health problems that registered breeders have worked for years to eliminate, including breathing and back issues.
“Frenchies are sold for an average of $4000 through the Club, and they are health-tested. Know about the breed and the investment you’re making. Go for a sound dog,” she said.
Maroota-based Michelle Knight, who looks after rescue and rehoming for the Club, said health problems are a sad reality of puppies bred by opportunists cashing-in on demand for fad breeds.
“People see breeding them as a financial opportunity due to their popularity. You only need to look on Gumtree or Trading Post,” she said.
“We’ve had dogs that have come into our care that have severe health issues from backyard breeders. We are seeing higher instances of health problems we thought we had under control, that are coming back.
“Our Club is seeing a great rise in requests, so much so that we can’t fulfill the market. But we don’t want to breed for the market - we think that’s the wrong reason to breed. We breed because of a passion for French Bulldogs.”
Club secretary, Liz Davidson - a Frenchie breeder based in Kurrajong Heights - said the sheer demand for Frenchies over the past few years has been “extraordinary”
“Frenchies are seen as ‘trendy’, and this isn’t necessarily a good thing. Social media is the culprit; Frenchies are full of personality and they’re all over social media and advertising,” she said.