These days, many flat-faced breeds suffer from those breathing problems their whole lives. They didn’t snort, snuffle, reverse sneeze, and have sleep apnea. A hundred years ago, these dogs had longer snouts and, with it, fewer breathing problems. In this sense, breeding is an animal welfare issue. Inbreeding leads to many recessive genes leading to health issues that do not achieve the “ideal” conformation. Unfortunately, breeders’ goals to achieve the “perfect” appearance lead to a lot of inbreeding. This can give you a lot of knowledge about their genetic makeup and potential health issues. When you buy a purebred puppy, you know it’s parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, and so on. So if there is a male dog that has the “perfect” flat face and a female that has the “perfect” facial folds, a breeder may breed the two to get a “perfect” brachycephalic face for the breed.ĭog breeders track the dog’s pedigree. The idea is that you breed the “best of the best” with one another. If you’ve ever seen a dog show, you know that judges score dogs on their “conformation.” The more the dog conforms to the breed standard in appearance and build, the higher the score.
#DOG BREED HEAD SHAPES SKIN#
Or the fact that their skin folds need regular cleaning!īeyond Frenchies, this facial shape relates to over a dozen other brachycephalic breeds.
First-time owners, in particular, may not be prepared for the potential vet bills that can accompany these friendly flat-faced pooches. However, veterinarians do want dog owners to be aware of the health risks that go along with these breeds. Plus, since many of them are small, they don’t require hours of daily exercise which makes them perfect for city-dwelling dog lovers. Despite their snorting and snoring while sleeping, flat-faced pups tend to be friendly and outgoing when they’re awake. Certainly, these pooches have winning personalities. Yet, dog owners love the flat face dogs despite their health issues and recommend them to others. While adorable, this head shape can, unfortunately, lead to serious long-term health problems. Īlso known as brachycephalic dogs, the term “brachycephalic” relates to their short noses and the shape of their head, which is flatter than other dog breeds. A recent study by the U.K’s Royal Veterinary College (RVC) says the flat-faced breeds tend to suffer from eye problems, heatstroke, and, yes, breathing difficulties. In fact, the breed is so popular, the American Kennel Club (AKC) says the French bulldog is the #1 pooch in NYC and many other cities around the country - including Honolulu.ĭespite their popularity, many dog owners don’t realize the special health risks that come with flat-faced dog breeds like Frenchies. Among city dwellers, at least, the “ Frenchie ” is finding itself leading the pack at a dog park near you. French bulldogs are one of the most popular dog breeds in the U.S.
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