‘Status symbol’ dog becomes the UK’s most expensive breed
‘Handbag dogs’ fall from favour as Brits seek different breed
- The British bulldog has become the UK's most expensive dog breed, with an average puppy price of £1,694, a 20 per cent increase in the last year.
- "Handbag dogs" like the chihuahua and miniature dachshund are declining in popularity, with a 43 per cent drop in sales.
- Other breeds which have seen a popularity decrease are the chow chow and labradoodle, which have seen prices fall by 9 to 10 per cent.
- Viewings of each British bulldog puppy on sale rose by 230 per cent over the past five years. Axel Lagercrantz, chief executive of Pets4Homes, said they were becoming a new “status symbol”.
- The RSPCA warns that bulldogs are four times more likely than other dogs to suffer from various diseases and have an average life expectancy of only six years.