Brachycephalic (flat-faced) dog breeds have had a surge in popularity over recent years. Owners are attracted to their big-eyed babyish appearance and their playful personalities. However, these breeds have been intensively bred over the years for their appearance. This has resulted in many dogs being affected by lifelong health problems.

What are brachycephalic dogs?

Brachycephalic is the name given to dogs that have been bred to have a shorter nose and a flatter-looking face. Their bottom jaw is longer and out of proportion with the shortened upper jaw, and they also often have shallower eye sockets giving them big puppyish eyes.

Examples of brachycephalic dog breeds,

• French Bulldog
• Pug
• Boston Terrier
• English Bulldog
• Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
• English Mastiff
• Shih Tzu
• Pekinese

These breeds can vary in which health conditions they commonly suffer from and the severity, so it is important to research your chosen breed carefully. Our vets are also here for you to speak to for advice before choosing your next dog.

What conditions do brachycephalic dogs commonly suffer from?

There are several health conditions that brachycephalic dogs routinely suffer from. Though not every individual will suffer from all of these issues, many will require frequent veterinary care throughout their life. As an owner of a brachycephalic dog, it is essential to be able to recognise these conditions so your pet can receive veterinary treatment when needed.

Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS)

Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) is the name given to the condition when brachycephalic dogs cannot breathe properly.

BOAS is caused by,

• Stenotic (narrowed) nostrils – This limits the amount of air (and the oxygen in it) that can be breathed in through the nose.
• Hypoplastic trachea (narrowed windpipe) – Less oxygen can travel down the trachea and into the lungs with each breath.
• Long soft palate – Brachycephalic dogs have a shorter nose but the same amount of soft tissue inside their mouth as dogs with longer muzzles. This means that the soft palate takes up more space, so it can partially obstruct a dog’s airways.
• Everted laryngeal saccules – This occurs due to BOAS and the negative pressure from the dog struggling to breathe, causing the laryngeal saccules (the normal folds between the vocal cords) to get sucked into the larynx, turning “inside out” in the process. Once the laryngeal saccules become everted, they cause an additional obstruction to the airway.

These dogs often make wheezing, snoring and snorting noises, which can occur so frequently that owners think this is normal. However, it is a sign that your pet finds breathing difficult. This can limit their exercise levels, affect their sleep, and make them more prone to heatstroke.

Some dogs require surgery of one type or another to help improve their airways and improve their quality of life. So, if you notice that your dog is making noisy breathing sounds or is struggling to breathe, you should bring your pet in to see one of our vets so they can be assessed.

Skin Problems

Brachycephalic dogs routinely have excess skin around their face, forming wrinkles. Their ear canals are also frequently narrower than usual. These skin folds and narrowed ear canals create the perfect moist environment for infections to occur, requiring routine veterinary treatment to keep them comfortable and to stop painful infections from taking hold.

Eye Problems

The eye socket of a brachycephalic dog is shallower than that of other dogs, giving the eyes a bulging appearance. This can make these dogs prone to painful, recurring eye conditions, such as ulcers, that can require life-long medications or surgeries. Eye problems are very painful and can be serious, so if you notice that your pet has a sore eye, contact one of our vets urgently, so your pet can quickly get the treatment needed.

Dental Problems

Brachycephalic breeds have shorter jaws compared to other dogs, but they have the same number of teeth. This means that they often suffer from incorrectly positioned teeth, as the teeth try to fit into a smaller space. Their overshot lower jaw can also cause misalignment of the teeth. This commonly results in dental issues and plaque build-up, often requiring dental treatment to resolve.

Breeding Issues

Some brachycephalic breeds can have difficulties giving birth naturally. This is because the puppies have been bred to have broader heads and shoulders than usual, and the mothers have a narrow pelvis leading to dystocia (problems giving birth). As a result, a high percentage of brachycephalic breeds require caesarean section surgery to give birth.

Considerations before buying a brachycephalic dog

Before getting a new dog, owners must research their chosen breed to prepare for their pet’s arrival. Speak to one of our veterinary team to understand any health conditions your chosen breed may be at risk of developing and to learn about preventative health care that can help keep your pet healthy.

When looking for your new pet, consider visiting rehoming centres to see if an unwanted dog would be a suitable addition to your family. However, if you are looking at getting a puppy from a breeder, there are several questions to ask,

• Have the parents both had all their breed-relevant health tests?
• Are both parents healthy with no signs of breathing problems?
• Has either parent had BOAS surgery in the past to correct breathing problems?
• How were the puppies were born? Try to avoid litters born by caesarean section.

How to care for a brachycephalic dog

There are several additional steps owners of brachycephalic dogs can take to try and prevent some health conditions from occurring and help keep their pet comfortable.

• Take care in hot weather – Brachycephalic dogs are more prone to heatstroke at lower temperatures than other dogs, as they struggle to keep themselves cool. Heatstroke is life-threatening, so provide your pet with plenty of shade and fresh water in warm weather and do not exercise them. Contact our vets immediately for emergency treatment if your pet shows any signs of distress.
• Prevent your pet from becoming overweight – Keep your dog at its ideal body weight to avoid exacerbating breathing problems and exercise intolerance due to being overweight.
• Use a harness – Don’t walk your pet using their collar. Instead, use a harness to take pressure off your pet’s airways as they walk.
• Preventative dental treatment – Make sure you visit our vets for routine dental examinations so that any tooth problems can be detected early. Also, brush your dog’s teeth daily to keep them in the best possible health.
• Preventative skin care – Clean any skin folds and wrinkles regularly and keep these areas dry to try and prevent infections from developing. Speak to our veterinary team for advice on how to do this and for safe products to use.

Brachycephalic dogs can make lovely pets, as they have great personalities, but owners need to be prepared for any health issues that their pet might suffer from and get prompt veterinary treatment to prevent their pet from suffering. Our veterinary team is here to answer any questions you might have about caring for a brachycephalic dog before you get your pet, so you can choose the right dog to fit in with your family.