The lockdown caused a huge rise in the demand for puppies, with people wanting a furry friend to keep them company during the long months they spent trapped inside.
But sadly, this brought many problems, with backyard breeders and puppy farms popping up everywhere. With high demand, these “breeders” often got away with selling their puppies for top dollar, even on the internet, without putting any effort into the care or welfare of the animals.
Woman buys French Bulldog on Gumtree
People who weren’t careful fell victim to these scammers, often not suspecting anything until it was too late. One such person was Bethany Cupples, who decided to buy a French Bulldog puppy for her mum in May 2020.
She found a puppy advertised as “purebred” for only £600 on Gumtree, an unusually low price for a French Bulldog. Thinking this was a great deal, she instantly went to pick up the 5-week-old and took him home.
French Bulldog turns out to be a very different dog
But as the puppy grew up, it became clear that he was far from a purebred. While the pup has somewhat of a Frenchie face, his hair is more wire-like, much like a terrier's. In fact, dog experts say he looks like a cross between a French Bulldog and a Yorkshire Terrier.
Thankfully, this didn’t put his owners off, who love him just as he is. They are lucky that his looks were the only thing that was “off” about him, as many puppies sold online also have very poor health (due to their bad breeding).
We will never say it enough: NEVER BUY A PUPPY ONLINE! If you decide to buy a dog, make sure you’re getting it from a reputable breeder. This kind of behaviour only encourages the puppy farming industry, and encourages poor animal welfare.
