The term brachycephalia refers to the flat nose and wide skull shape found in dogs. Dogs that fall into this category possess shorter-nosed and flat-faced skulls which can (unfortunately) lead to a health risks; the most common being airway obstruction.
Common dog breeds with this skull conformation include: the Pug, English Bulldog, French Bulldog, Shih Tzu, Boston terrier and Boxer. However, despite the number of potential risks flatter-faced dogs are becoming increasingly popular, with the Kennel Club reporting a 2,747% rise in the number of French bulldogs since 2004.
Not all flat-faced dogs will suffer from the same health problems, but since many do it is important to be aware of issues your beloved pup may face, as well as the signs to watch out for.
Skull
Brachycephalia, pronounced ‘brackee - cefalic’, comes from two Greek words, meaning “short” and “head”. Although owners generally want a dog that falls into this category because of their cute smushed faces, these adorable pups are more susceptible to health issues because of this feature.
Because the flat face is so popular, these dogs have been bred for their looks, but many suffer from airway issues as a result. The flat face is the result of a smaller upper jaw, in which the tissues inside are bigger than the jaw can allow. All of the airway issues that can result from this overcrowding are collectively referred to as "brachycephalic airway syndrome."
Breathing
The bulk of health issues found in these types of dogs stem from the shape of their skulls. Because of their flat faces, the soft tissue in the nose and throat of these dogs are crammed into a smaller space than most other dog breeds. Because of this, there is comparatively more skin and other soft tissue around these areas; meaning the airway becomes narrowed or partially blocked as the tissue squeezes into a smaller space.
A result of having a short muzzle and a narrowed airway directly affects one of the most essential parts of any dog’s life, walks. Since dogs cannot sweat, they regulate their body temperature mostly through panting. Since these dogs have shorter muzzles, they are unable to cool themselves down as quickly as dogs with longer muzzles. As a result, it is advised to limit exercise on hotter days.
Other Problems
Other fairly common health issues you may find in this breed revolve around their skin, face and eyes; all of which stem from the shape of their skull.
If you are an owner of a bulldog, pug, shar-pei or even a mastiff you probably already know these dogs need special attention and care to one of the most favorable traits they all share - their folds! These deep skin folds found around their eyes and nose are poorly ventilated and unfortunately a great location for yeast and bacteria to develop. It is good to keep unscented baby wipes around the house to clean the folds at least once a day (preferably two).
Big prominent eyes are commonly found in many of these dogs and can be a potential issue if not monitored and treated properly. Dogs with prominent eyes have shallow eye sockets, giving them the ‘bulging’ eye feature. Because of this many dogs cannot blink fully, which results in areas of the cornea drying out since tears cannot distribute evenly. Corneal ulcers can develop over time and are extremely painful for even the toughest of our pups, so keep an eye out for behavioral changes such as squinting or an eye remaining closed, excessive blinking, sensitivity to light and rubbing at the eyes with a paw.
How to Care For Your Dog and What to do In Case of Emergencies
If you are an owner of a brachycephalic dog, here a few precautions you can follow to lower any risk of airway problems or other complications:
● Don’t over-exercise or let dog overheat - Limit walks or playtime outdoors when the weather is hot and/or humid; even brachycephalics who did not require surgery will struggle with breathing.
● Keep weight in a healthy range - Obesity can make brachycephalic problems even worse.
● Pay attention to normal snorting/snoring - If your pooch starts to make sounds that sound unfamiliar, they may be experiencing problems breathing. Be sure to contact your vet if this happens.
● Daily pampering - Use a washcloth to clean the facial folds at least once a day, but two would be preferred to limit yeast build up.
● Don’t over-exercise or let dog overheat - Limit walks or playtime outdoors when the weather is hot and/or humid; even brachycephalics who did not require surgery will struggle with breathing.
● Keep weight in a healthy range - Obesity can make brachycephalic problems even worse.
● Pay attention to normal snorting/snoring - If your pooch starts to make sounds that sound unfamiliar, they may be experiencing problems breathing. Be sure to contact your vet if this happens.
● Daily pampering - Use a washcloth to clean the facial folds at least once a day, but two would be preferred to limit yeast build up.
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