Flat-nosed dog breeds are everywhere. While it may seem like almost everyone in your neighborhood owns one, they also dominate the social media world, gain reputations as “influencers,” and are plastered all over pop culture. If we look at French Bulldogs alone, the number of AKC-registered dogs belonging to this breed increased by 467% from 2006 to 2016.
While the flat-nosed dog population is rising, consider bringing one into your family. Or you may be interested in learning more about the fascinating genetics of these canines. Either way, we will dive deep into the world of flat-nosed dogs and discover exactly what they are.
What are Flat-Nosed Dogs?
The official term for flat-nosed dogs is brachycephalic. This word comes from two Greek words: “brachy-” meaning “short,” and “cephalic,” meaning “head.” Brachycephalic dogs have shortened heads that appear as if their muzzles have been squished inwards. There are 24 brachycephalic dog breeds, most commonly bulldogs, boxers, and pugs.
Common Diseases and Disorders in Flat-Nosed Dogs
As you can imagine, having such a uniquely shaped head and face can result in various health problems ranging from difficulty breathing to dental issues and even heart problems. Understanding the different health problems that flat-nosed dogs commonly experience can help us better understand the conformation of brachycephalic dogs leading to better treatment and prevention.
Breathing Difficulties
As a result of their short and “squished” faces, flat-nosed dogs have short muzzle bones. However, dogs with longer muzzles still have the same amount of skin and soft tissue in that area. This extra tissue and skin cramp the area around the mouth and nose, making breathing difficult and potentially narrowing or blocking the airway. Brachycephalic dogs already have a deformed or narrow windpipe, and the added skin and tissue increase the risk of breathing problems even more.
Like humans, dogs can only breathe through their nostrils and mouth. Observing a brachycephalic dog’s face reveals its nostrils and mouth are deformed. This leads to a variety of breathing difficulties.
A common breathing problem flat-nosed dogs can experience is Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome or BOAS. BOAS is a disorder in which the upper airways in brachycephalic dogs are affected. Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome can affect the nostrils, trachea, soft palate (the soft part of the roof of the mouth), nasopharyngeal turbinates, larynx, and even the gastrointestinal tract. Some common symptoms of BOAS include difficulty breathing (primarily through the nose), snorting and snoring, coughing, gagging, and fainting.
Risk of Overheating
Breathing difficulties aren’t the only troubles flat-nosed dogs experience. Due to their flat faces, they are also at risk of overheating. No matter their breed or conformation, dogs can only sweat through their paws. This isn’t the most efficient way to cool down, however. Panting allows dogs to cool down even more and at a faster rate. When dogs pant, they draw cool air in through their mouth. Having a shorter muzzle makes it harder for brachycephalic dogs to draw in a substantial amount of air quickly, increasing the risk of overheating.
Heart Problems
While breathing difficulties can affect the respiratory system, they can also be detrimental to the rest of the body, especially the heart. Exerting so much effort into breathing can put excess strain on the heart affecting its health. Breathing difficulties can lead to oxygen deficiencies in the blood, affecting the heart.
Dental Issues
Due to their shortened muzzles, flat-nosed dogs can also suffer from various dental problems. Brachycephalic dogs have 42 teeth–the same number of teeth as non-brachycephalic dogs. While all teeth fit perfectly in a dog with a long snout, flat-nosed dogs must cram all 42 teeth into their very small mouths. This can cause problems like decay and gum disease.
Skin and Eye Problems
As we learned earlier, flat-nosed dogs have excess skin around their muzzle. They also have excess skin on other face areas, including around the eyes. Having this extra skin and tissue on their face can cause various issues and infections on the skin and the eyes.
Problems During Pregnancy and Birth
Brachycephalic dogs can also experience birthing problems if they happen to get pregnant. Flat-nosed dogs, especially bulldogs, often need Caesarian sections due to the puppies’ large heads and the narrow birth canals of the mother.
Special Care For Flat-Nosed Dogs
We have discovered that flat-nosed dogs can suffer from many health problems affecting their respiratory and gastrointestinal systems, skin and eyes, and even hearts. While regular vet visits can help detect problems and treat them early on, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. And Brachycephalic dogs require special care to prevent some common health problems they may encounter.
Avoid Stress
Since flat-nosed dogs often suffer from breathing difficulties, it is essential to avoid stress as much as possible. Putting them in stressful situations or doing things that make them nervous can increase their breathing and heart rate. Similarly, avoiding extreme heat can be very helpful since flat-nosed dogs are at risk of overheating.
Exercise Wisely
Due to their breathing difficulties and risk of overheating, how you exercise a brachycephalic dog is extremely important. You want to avoid exhaustive exercises and take frequent breaks while playing and on walks. You should also use a well-fitted harness instead of a collar to avoid unnecessary stress on the upper airways.
Regularly Clean Their Face
Regularly cleaning your flat-nosed dog’s face, especially in the folds of the extra skin and around the eyes, can significantly reduce the risk of skin problems and infections.
Traveling With Flat-Nosed Dogs
Many difficulties are associated with travel, specifically air travel with flat-nosed dogs. Most airlines do not allow brachycephalic dogs to travel on airplanes because they are at higher risk. So, if you travel frequently and are considering adding a flat-nosed dog to your family, you have to consider this.
Flat-nosed dogs, or brachycephalic dogs, are a unique group of breeds that have flat faces. As we learned, this can cause a vast array of health problems; however, there are several things you can do to decrease the risk of your dog contracting one of these issues. While brachycephalic dogs require a lot of extra care and tend to be more expensive (due to health problems and vet bills), they can still make great pets for those willing to put in the extra work in caring for them.
