‘Handbag dogs’ fall from favour as Brits seek ‘status symbol’ 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.

IN FULL

‘Status symbol’ dog becomes the UK’s most expensive breed