Some dog breeds carry a higher risk of breathing problems

What’s Happening

So get this: Research reveals more short-snouted dogs besides pugs and bulldogs that struggle with breathing.

Pekingese and Japanese Chins topped the study’s list. News Animals Some dog breeds carry a higher risk of breathing problems The findings help quantify the negative health outcomes of breeding extreme body shapes Smooshed “brachycephalic“ snouts such as those found in pugs and French bulldogs (shown) bring heightened risk of breathing problems. (it feels like chaos)

Scientists have quantified the severity across more than a dozen breeds.

The Details

Zhao Hui/ By Jake Buehler 4 hours ago this: via email (Opens in new window) Email on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit on X (Opens in new window) X Print (Opens in new window) Print Many people find their flattened faces cute, but among dogs bred with a squished visage, 11 percent or less of some breeds can breathe easily. The findings, published February 18 in PLOS One , evaluate a major health cost of breeding dogs with shortened “brachycephalic” skulls: chronically obstructed airways.

In the United Kingdom, some brachycephalic breeds “have become insanely popular in recent years, particularly the French bulldog,” says Francesca Tomlinson, a veterinarian and researcher at the University of Cambridge. For our We summarize the week’s scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.

Why This Matters

That popularity has meant a more direct spotlight on the health issues these dogs can have, including brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS). The dogs’ truncated skull can mean the airway is narrowed , resulting in difficult, noisy, snorting breathing. Researchers had already investigated the syndrome’s severity in pugs and bulldogs, but little was known about the condition in the many other flat-faced breeds.

This could have implications for future research in this area.

Key Takeaways

• Pekingese (shown) had one of the lowest rates of Grade 0, typified .
• 0), Image: Antagain/iStock/ Plus (dog photo), adapted by J.

The Bottom Line

Pekingese (shown) had one of the lowest rates of Grade 0, typified . 0), Image: Antagain/iStock/ Plus (dog photo), adapted by J.

Is this a W or an L? You decide.