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Brachycephalic Dog Breeds - Everything you need to know about flat-faced dogs

Brachycephalic is a word which comes from the Greek literally means 'Short-headed', and so when applied to the context of dogs, it refers to those dogs who have shortened snouts. To get a sense of the kind of dogs we're talking about, you might immediately think of the most easy to recognise customers: those dogs such as the English and French Bulldog, Pug, Boxer, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Shih Tzu. See below a list of further brachycephalic dogs.

These have developed over the years by a process of selective breeding, though the reasons in each case may be various. Some of the dogs might have been selectively bred in this way for human preferences in appearance. Others might have been bred, some experts suggest, as people believed that this would help them to be better hunters. This was reinforced by the belief that a shorter snout meant a stronger jaw. Whatever the reason these breeds came about originally, and many of them came about as long ago as Ancient Roman times, they are very distinctive for their short snouts. Many people would associate these flat faces purely with cuteness. But perhaps not as many know about the health implications for dogs with a short skull shape.

What are the health problems?

The main health problem that is associated with brachycephalic dogs revolves around breathing. Because of the shape of the skull, anatomical defects in the upper airway can sometimes occur. The upper airway areas can become abnormal in a few different ways. Firstly, there might be narrow nostrils; or there could be an overly elongated soft pallet at the back of the throat; the windpipe could be more narrow than usual; or, finally, there can be issues in the larynx when the dog is straining to breathe rapidly. Any of these issues might lead to symptoms such as overheating, sleep apnoea, and regurgitation. Collectively, such symptoms are known as Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS). Not all brachycephalic dogs will have a form of BOAS, but it is important to keep an eye out for signs that they may be suffering from it, as there will be things that you can do to mitigate the effects.

How to spot signs of Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS)

Dogs which have BOAS will be very loud snorers and loud breathers. The breathing issues which arise for dogs suffering with BOAS may manifest through wheezing or grunting sounds. You may even notice that they have a very sensitive gag reflex. Another symptom might be that your dog is highly prone to sneezing. A clear sign that your brachycephalic dog is suffering due to not being able to get enough oxygen is if their gums turn blue. Another key sign is if over-excitement or over-exertion lead to collapse.

Because BOAS can also effect eyes, ears, skin and teeth, these are also areas to watch out for. In terms of eyes, you will be able to see that there is a problem if an eye is discharging. Ears and skin will often indicate that there is a problem if you notice that there is a soreness for the dog here, or if there is an unusual smell. The compression of teeth can sometimes lead to overlapping, which makes gum disease more likely, so this is also something to keep a close eye on. Do consult your veterinarian if you have a dog in the brachycephalic category and are concerned that they might be suffering from any of the symptoms.

What can be done to help

For quick relief in painful but moderate cases, your veterinarian will often prescribe some medication which will reduce inflammation and therefore allow more are to flow through the upper airways. In some extreme cases, where the health of your dog is at serious risk, there can even be a surgical operation on the nasal passages or the soft pallet for more long term effect.

However, as well as going to your vet, there are then lots of little daily things which you should do to help your little pup feel as happy and comfortable as possible and to minimise the risk of BOAS becoming more serious. All the symptoms outlined above are exacerbated by obesity, so the most important thing to begin with is putting together a helpful meal plan. By controlling your dog's weight, you will vastly reduce the likelihood of them suffering from the negative effects of BOAS.

If you need some help with picking out food for brachycephalic dogs, you can take a look through our collection. We have food designed for the following brachycephalic dog breeds: Boxer, Bulldog, Shih Tzu, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Pug, and French Bulldog. For food that is tailor made for brachycephalic dogs, we recommend that you explore the Royal Canin dog food range for kibble which has been designed so that it's suitable for brachycephalic dogs. We also have other nutritional meal options which have been designed to support your dog's health and wellbeing whilst helping them to lose weight. These would also be very helpful if you know that your dog is Brachycephalic and is becoming overweight.

Other things which you can be aware of will be around the issue of overheating and over-exercise. It is more important than with any other dog that on warmer, sunny days, you make sure your dog does not get too hot. Over-exercise in the summer can lead to heatstroke in your brachycephalic dog far more easily than with longer nosed dogs.

If you are considering owning a pet which is in the category outlined above and listed further below, make sure that you are aware that there is always a possibility that your dog will need repeated and often expensive medical support to keep them happy and healthy if they develop BOAS symptoms

Other dogs that can suffer from BOAS:

  • Staffordshire Bull Terrier
  • Boston Terrier
  • Pekingese
  • Lhasa Apso
  • Brussels Griffon
  • Dogue de Bordeaux
  • Affenpinscher
  • Japanese Chin
  • King Charles Spaniel
  • Tibetan Spaniel
  • Shar Pei

Royal Canin Food for Brachycephalic Dogs

Royal Canin Dry Puppy Food Boxer

12kg Bag

Price: €68.32

Royal Canin Dry Dog Food Boxer

12kg Bag

Price: €62.44

Royal Canin Dry Puppy Food Bulldog

12kg Bag

Price: €68.32

Royal Canin Dry Dog Food Bulldog

12kg Bag

Price: €62.16

Royal Canin Dry Puppy Food French Bulldog

3kg Bag

Price: €23.16

10kg Bag

Price: €61.20

Royal Canin Dry Dog Food French Bulldog

3kg Bag

Price: €22.76

9kg Bag

Price: €51.00

Royal Canin Dry Puppy Food Shih Tzu

1.5kg Bag

Price: €14.36

Royal Canin Dry Dog Food Shih Tzu

1.5kg Bag

Price: €13.36

7.5kg Bag

Price: €50.20

Royal Canin Dry Puppy Food Cavalier King Charles

1.5kg Bag

Price: €13.64

Royal Canin Dry Dog Food Cavalier King Charles

1.5kg Bag

Price: €13.24

7.5kg Bag

Price: €47.16

Royal Canin Dry Puppy Food Pug

1.5kg Bag

Price: €13.64

Royal Canin Dry Dog Food Pug

1.5kg Bag

Price: €13.24

7.5kg Bag

Price: €46.96

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