Linda Martins dog shelter sees huge spike in French Bulldog surrenders

Extra.ie​

2 days ago

Designer French Bulldogs are being dumped en masse at rescue centres around the country, with animal lover Linda Martin noticing a marked increase in the numbers of French bulldogs being dumped at her North County Dublin rehoming sanctuary.
Former Eurovision winner Linda, who now operates the pound for North County Dublin County Council, says she has seen a huge number of French bulldogs come into her care at her state-of-the-art facility, The Dog Hub located in Meakstown in North Dublin.
In fact, at least a fifth of Linda's current residents at The Dog Hub are of the French bulldog breed and range in age from one to five years of age. Photo taken in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Speaking to Extra.ie Linda says she is not entirely sure why the pricey pooches- who breeders sell at anything from around 1,000 to 10,000 euros are suddenly being dumped by their owners into rescue centres around the nation.
'We have seen a huge increase in the numbers of French bulldogs coming into us,' Linda told Extra.ie
But she says the fleeting celebrity popularity with certain breeds can lead to an uptake in people opting to buy different types of dog at certain times.
'If you have a Disney movie out that has a particular type of dog then you will usually see that breed become the 'dog-of-the-week',' explains Linda.
'For instance when 101 Dalmations came out, everyone wanted spotted doggies. Then when Game of Thrones was on Huskies were the popular dogs,' Linda told the MoS.
While Linda said French bulldogs are a beautiful breed they can be quite rambunctious of character.
'They're gorgeous dogs; they really are, but I think people have this idea that they are just going to sit there looking all pretty, and that's simply not the case.
'They can be quite tough, and they are sturdy and they can be rambunctious.,' said Linda
'They do make great pets but they are not just a pretty little plaything like some people imagine.' Pic: Getty Images
Linda's state-of-the-art Dog Hub is currently home to a vast array of scruffs, mutts and designer doggies all looking for their forever homes.
And the famously well-respected singer Linda has not only seen mutts coming to her spanking new rehoming centre as she has also seen more than a few famous faces drop by.
Bassist and avid gardener Adam Clayton of U2 fame popped into The Dog Hub last month where he adopted three cute hedgehogs from Linda, and the three little rascals are right at home burrowing around Clayton's 17 acres of gardens and woodlands at his Southside home. Linda Martin and Adam Clayton. Pic: Supplied
A lover of all creatures great and small, Adam paid a visit to Eurovision winner Linda's animal sanctuary where he quickly made the acquaintance of three little friends.
Adam loves animals,' said Linda 'and his daughter especially loves hedgehogs so now three little mites are living their best life and they have the run of Adam's massive gardens.' Eurovision legend and animal welfare campaigner Linda Martin has been awarded a contract to run a dog shelter on behalf of Dublin City Council, the Irish Mail on Sunday can reveal.
And last week a contingent of soft-hearted rough-riders from Ireland Devils Disciples motorcycle crew made a pit stop at the Dog Hub to pay Linda and her kennels full of four-legged friends a visit.
'It's smashing out here,' said one of the bikers.'It's like Beverly Hills for dogs. She's some woman is Linda,' said another animal loving biker.