Flat-faced Frenchies and Pugs might look cute, but the RSPCA is warning pet lovers to avoid these breeds amidst a 'tragic' rise in abandonments.The number of French Bulldogs coming into care of the RSPCA has increased by a staggering 3,800 per cent in the last 10 years.In 2016, the animal welfare charity took in just six French Bulldogs, or Frenchie crosses, from owners who could no longer safely keep their pets.Last year that figure rose to 234 Frenchies – almost double the number abandoned in four years from 2016 to 2019 combined.Flat-faced, or brachycephalic breeds, suffer from a wide range of inherited health issues that significantly affect their quality of life.These issues are directly caused by the same traits that have been bred because they look 'cute', such as short snouts, bulging eyes, wrinkled skin and 'corkscrew' tails.In a new report, the RSPCA warned the rising number of flat-faced dogs in their care is because pet owners can't keep up with the massive vet bills these issues incur.RSPCA Scientific and Policy Manager Ashleigh Brown, lead author of the report, said: 'This is one of the biggest welfare problems pets face today, and it's impacting far more animals than people realise.' The number of French Bulldogs coming into care of the RSPCA has increased by a staggering 3,800 per cent in the last 10 yearsDespite their well-known health issues and extremely short life expectancies, influencers and celebrities have made French Bulldogs one of the UK's most popular breeds.However, many owners are not prepared for just how debilitating and expensive their pooches' 'extreme conformation' can become.Dr Rowena Packer, an expert on dog welfare from the Royal Veterinary College, told the Daily Mail: 'Flat-faced breeds have been shaped by decades of artificial selection for an increasingly extreme appearance, pushing their anatomy beyond the biological limits required for normal function.'The impact on quality of life can be profound. Some affected dogs struggle to breathe comfortably, cannot exercise or play normally, are at increased risk of overheating, and even have difficulty sleeping because of airway obstruction.'Painful eye ulcers, chronic skin disease and spinal disorders can cause persistent pain and discomfort, and some dogs lose their vision or mobility.'Like many flat-faced dogs, Frenchies are exceptionally prone to brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS).This is a condition where the dog's unnaturally short snout and narrow nostrils cause their airways to become blocked, leading to severe difficulties breathing.In many cases, BOAS requires surgical intervention to widen the airways and allow the dog to have something closer to a healthy, normal life. The RSPCA says that the number of flat-faced dogs being abandoned has increased as pet owners are overwhelmed by the cost of vet bills Flat-faced dogs like Pugs (pictured) and French Bulldogs suffer from health conditions that prevent them from breathing, sleeping, playing, communicating with other dogs, and living a pain-free life