Everywhere you turn there are cute, flat-faced (or brachycephalic) dogs staring out at you from cushion covers, T-shirts, shopping bags and biscuit tins; or being used to sell you something - insurance, banking, mobile phones or skincare products. The list is a long one.

Such high-profile marketing is helping to increase the demand for brachycephalic dogs such as pugs and French bulldogs, as is the fact that they are owned by a significant number of celebrities.

The Brachycephalic Working Group, which includes the British Veterinary Association, Dogs Trust and the Kennel Club, says that the dogs’ increased prominence on the high street and in the media is fuelling the desirability of these breeds. Inevitably this is leading to ’backstreet’ and black-market breeding, which is increasing the number of poorly-bred dogs with health issues, often relating to an obstruction of the airways.

Rescue centres in the UK are reporting a large increase in the number of these dogs being brought to them for rehoming.

Some of the dogs have health issues that their owners can’t afford to remedy. Some have behavioural issues (often as a result of poor socialisation as a puppy) and some are simply the result of owners who did not think through the commitment needed to care for a dog, even a relatively small one.

It seems as though the Isle of Man is starting to see a similar trend, and the ManxSPCA has been asked to rehome two French bulldogs in the last week.

It was inundated with inquiries about Frankie, one of the dogs, to the point where it had to issue a statement on Facebook stating that it now had enough prospective adopters.

The statement also said ’For all the interest Frankie has had in such a short space of time, JT has had no-one. He has been waiting for such a long time for someone to register an interest. Please, please if you are prepared to give a dog a home, consider JT.’

JT is a Border collie - a breed that is intelligent, loyal, loving, playful, people-orientated and responsive to training, but not necessarily one that could be called ’fashionable’.

They are active dogs because of their working dog heritage, and they need appropriate exercise, but it is actually more important to stimulate them mentally.

There are no major health problems associated with the breed and a healthy collie lives, on average, for 14 years.

The ManxSPCA has more Border collies handed into its recue kennels than any other breed.

This is largely due to the fact that the island is home to many farms that use Border collies as working dogs, and so it is relatively easy to obtain a collie puppy.

Collies come in many colours - brown, black, merle, grey, white - and they can be smooth or rough coated, and so there is more variation of appearance in this breed than in almost any other. This makes every collie even more of an individual.

Back to JT: he is eight years old and was owned as a family pet, rather than a working dog.

He has been attacked by other dogs on several different occasions which has made him more nervous than most collies, and fearful around other dogs.

He trusts the kennels team and in particular his key handler, Shauna - they have a special bond.

When she is by his side he will happily walk past other dogs and stay calm and relaxed, but he seeks constant reassurance. Therefore, he will need an understanding and patient adoptive owner who will take time to help him with his insecurities.

Investing time in a rescue dog is incredibly rewarding, particularly when it’s a dog who has had a difficult start in life or who is overlooked in favour of more fashionable breeds.

Please join the ’collie club’ and put this amazing breed top of the list when it comes to rehoming.