It’s no surprise that dog breeds like French bulldogs, Boston terriers, and English bulldogs are adorable, but their shorter noses and flat faces make them brachycephalic dogs. Due to the shape of their faces, they may have special needs that your other pups don’t. Here’s your ultimate guide on how to care for this type of dog.
The terms brachycephalic and flat-faced can be used interchangeably, but they both refer to dogs with condensed snouts, which can cause respiratory issues. Externally, a flat-faced dog will have malformed nostrils that are narrow (stenotic) and don’t allow for airflow through the nose. Internally, their soft palate will be elongated, which interferes with airflow to the lungs. You may notice these dogs’ mouth breathing more often than not, which tends to result in audible noises.
There are more dogs considered brachycephalic than you might think, including:
Brachycephalic airway syndrome are several upper airway abnormalities that brachycephalic dogs possess. These abnormalities made breathing difficult and include:
There are several means of addressing this syndrome including weight loss, NSAIDs, oxygen therapy and other forms of medical management. However, surgery is the only means of completely treating the underlying condition. If you decide to own one of these dogs, we strongly recommend getting pet insurance due to the many health complications they face.
Brachycephalic dogs can have a wide range of health issues stemming from their genetics and anatomy. These can range in severity depending on the specific dog and breed and should be addressed whenever present.
Heat can be dangerous for any animal, but especially for brachycephalic dogs. Most dogs regulate their temperature through panting, and since flat-faced dogs have a harder time breathing in general, exposure to hot weather can make it harder for them to stay cool.
Always monitor your dog when they’re outside, avoid outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day, and if you notice signs of overheating like excessive panting, drooling, weakness, or disorientation, get them to a vet for treatment; your dog could be experiencing heatstroke.
Due to flat-faced dogs’ difficulty breathing in a normal scenario, ensuring that their weight is within normal ranges is critical. Extra weight and obesity can make breathing even harder.
Diet is another huge factor in maintaining an appropriate body condition. Be sure to feed your dog a WSAVA-compliant food appropriate for their life stage. You can check the back of your dog food for general guidelines on how much to feed, and then adjust based on your dog's body condition score.
Dr. Liza Cahn
It’s also important to ensure that any exercise you’re doing with your pup isn’t worsening their breathing troubles. For example, you shouldn’t run with your brachycephalic dog in the same way you might with your Dalmatian. Instead, opt for slow and steady exercise like walks with regular breaks.
“In general, brachycephalic breeds will be happy to stay active with walks and play. It’s important to avoid outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day and always monitor your dog during exercise for signs of fatigue or overheating.”
On top of breathing issues, these dogs are also more likely to suffer from eye problems. Ulcers and other eye trauma can occur and may present with tears, redness, or your pup constantly rubbing their eyes with their paws. General eye trauma may be more visible to the naked eye. If you suspect your dog has an eye issue, seek vet care immediately.
While monitoring their eyes, also make sure you keep an eye on their dental health. Brachycephalic dogs can experience overcrowding of the teeth and a greater build-up of plaque and tartar on their teeth, leading to periodontal disease and other issues. Be sure to get their teeth regularly checked and ask your vet how to best take care of their teeth at home.
The squishy faces of brachycephalic breeds may be cute, but they also mean that dirt and infection can hide more easily in the folds of their faces and bodies. Signs of infection may look like discharge, pus, general redness, itchiness or an usual odor. Owners should check these folds daily and use a damp cloth or antiseptic wipe to remove dirt and grime from between the folds. After that, follow up with a dry towel to ensure no moisture is left behind.
Due to the narrow ear canals, which allow for limited air flow and increased moisture, many brachycephalic breeds can get ear infections that may become a recurring problem. These infections often become chronic and result in long-term pain and even permanent impairment.
If your dog shows any sign of discomfort, get them checked out to ensure no underlying issues are present. Note that brachycephalic dogs are predisposed to having allergies which in turn can lead to skin and ear infections.
Due to their breeding, some brachycephalic dogs possess certain physical traits that are considered genetic malformations. These malformations, like the screw tail of a French bulldog or spinal deformities, can cause extreme pain and discomfort.
They are so prevalent that one study (Trusted Source) showed that almost 79% of French bulldogs and over 83% of English bulldogs have them. These malformations can result in neurological issues such as intervertebral disc disease, causing an inability to move normally, general spinal pain, as well as incontinence.
Treatment for screw tail (Trusted Source) or other malformations may be managed medically or with surgical intervention. Medical management is an option for screw tail, but even with vigorous regular cleaning, your dog may still develop skin infections.
Brachycephalic dogs are adorable, but pregnancy for a flat-faced dog mom is incredibly difficult. In fact, veterinary assistance (planned C-section) is typically required as the mother’s birth canal is usually smaller than the puppy’s head and shoulder.
Similarly, these dog moms have a harder time breathing, and the stress of birth can be detrimental to their and the puppies’ health. To ensure the health and welfare of these dogs, we recommend opting for spaying and neutering instead of breeding.
If you choose to own a brachycephalic dog, it’s important that you provide a good quality of life for that pet, whether that means making lifestyle changes or, in some cases, committing to surgery.
To get off to a good start, look for a responsible breeder and address preventative options — surgical correction for brachycephalic airway syndrome — when you take your puppy to the vet. While they’re abundantly cute, be sure you’re ready to take on the many responsibilities of one of these dogs.
Brachycephalic dogs have a shorter lifespan than the average dog, with 8.6 years compared to 12.7 years. Your specific dog’s lifespan will depend on their health and particular breed.
The squishy skin folds on brachycephalic dogs mean that you should groom your dog daily by wiping their folds. If you opt for professional grooming, make sure your dog doesn’t become overly stressed as this can also exacerbate their breathing issues.
Many of these dogs suffer from a wide range of health issues, including spine malformations, heat intolerance, breathing problems, and dental and eye diseases. While there are means to help manage symptoms, many of these issues are genetic.
Due to the formation of their soft palette, some dogs prefer to sleep on their backs, allowing for more air into their lungs.
Help them avoid exposure to heat and humidity and monitor their exercise habits to ensure they aren’t overexerting themselves. In some cases, surgical intervention may be necessary to improve airflow.
Due to their long breeding history, some have said that Boston terriers are the healthiest of the brachycephalic dogs, but these dogs still have to deal with health issues due to their conformation.
