Pugs, French Bulldogs and English Bulldogs are breeds in which serious breathing problems caused by narrow airways are well known and documented. The condition is called Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) and, as it affects breathing, it also affects how the dogs feel when moving, when warm and when sleeping.
When researchers at Cambridge Veterinary School took a closer look at 14 other breeds, they found that twelve had some form of respiratory problem.
Impaired quality of life
"BOAS occurs in varying degrees. Some dogs are only mildly affected, but for those who are more severely affected it can significantly impair quality of life," says Fran Tomlinson, one of the researchers behind the study, in a comment.
Two breeds are particularly at risk for BOAS. Only 11 percent of Pekingese and 17.4 percent of Japanese Chins were able to breathe completely freely - figures that are comparable to Pugs, French and English bulldogs.
Of the King Charles Spaniels, Shih Tzus, Brussels Griffons, Boston Terriers and Dogue de Bordeaux examined, between half and three-quarters had some form of respiratory problem.
Mild problems
Staffordshire bull terriers, Cavalier King Charles spaniels, Chihuahuas, boxers and affenpinschers also had problems, but they were mostly mild. Half or fewer of the dogs had some degree of respiratory noise, and only a few were clinically affected.
Pomeranians and Maltese were also examined, but none had problems so severe that they were clinically affected. Some had murmurs that could be heard with a stethoscope.
Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) is a serious health condition in dogs that have an extremely blunt-nosed appearance.
The dog's skull has become shorter through breeding, which means that the same amount of soft tissue mass must fit into a smaller surface area. The result is that the dogs have difficulty breathing.
The most common problem is that the dogs have nostrils that are too narrow and that the throat becomes too cramped.
The condition is serious and can lead to a reduced quality of life, illness and, in the worst case, death.
Since 2025, breath testing has been mandatory by the Swedish Kennel Club for all Pugs, French and English bulldogs used in breeding.
