A call has been made for pugs and bulldogs to be banned in the UK after demands for a crackdown on unethical breeders that leave popular breeds with health problems. 

However, Morgan Bowker a KC registered dog breeder for four years, says calls are unfair to responsible owners.

Miss Bowker, who has two pugs of her own recently sold her dog's litter to a family member on GumTree for £1,000.

A pet charity called Blue Cross has been demanding a ban on breeding bulldogs and pugs since 1987.  

The charity now has accused breeders of taking part in a "vicious cycle of over breeding" which can create health problems meaning 20 per cent of pugs and bulldogs are now flat faced.

The dog owner insisted that it's not the dog's fault if they have been poorly bred, but the owners should be held accountable. 

But Miss Bowker. from Droitwich, says it's important for buyers to do their research when buying a new pet.

She said: "I think all dogs should be artificially inseminated because natural breeding can cause a problem. 

"People think it's easy to buy a dog, breed it and get a bit of money, but if you're going to get a pug for £800, then it's probably not bred correctly.

"You have to do your research, but you should ban backstreet breeders, not actual breeders.

Worcester News: Flat-faced pugs could be banned in the UK. Picture: Canva Flat-faced pugs could be banned in the UK. Picture: Canva  

"Ban the backstreet dog breeders, not the dogs. I've got two pugs, and they were artificially inseminated and come from clean bloodlines. 

"I think people think it's easy to buy a dog, breed it and get a bit of money. 

"You have to do your research, but you should ban backstreet breeders, not actual breeders."  

Stereotypically pugs can be seen as quite slow-paced dogs, but Miss Bowker said: "Pugs are supposed to be quite big and energetic if you have the right pedigree.

"I don't think we should ban the dog - but we should ban the breeders." 

A pet charity called Blue Cross has been demanding a ban on breeding bulldogs and pugs since 1987.  

 The charity has accused breeders of taking part in a "vicious cycle of over breeding" which can create health problems for flat-faced pugs. 

Although KC registered dog breeders like Miss Bowker still exist, the Blue Cross claims that 20 per cent of these dogs in Britain are now flat-faced. This could lead to health conditions such as skin/eye disease, obstructed breathing and spinal deformities. 

Do you own a bulldog or pug? What do you think? E-mail Shivani Chaudhari on shivani.chaudhari@newsquest.co.uk