A new study published February 18 in PLOS One reveals that breathing difficulties are far more widespread among brachycephalic, or short-faced, dog breeds than previously understood. Researchers at the University of Cambridge examined nearly 900 dogs across 14 breeds, finding a significant prevalence of Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS), a condition that can severely impact quality of life.
While BOAS has been extensively studied in Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, and Pugs, this research expands the scope to include breeds like the Affenpinscher, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and others. The study, conducted between September 2021 and April 2024, utilized a standardized grading system – from 0 to 3 – to assess the severity of breathing issues, with 0 indicating no symptoms.
The findings indicate a wide range in risk levels. Pekingese and Japanese Chins were identified as being at particularly high risk, with over 80 percent of dogs examined exhibiting symptoms of BOAS. Only 11 percent of Pekingese received a grade of 0, signifying healthy breathing, a figure comparable to approximately seven percent observed in Pugs. Conversely, breeds like Boxers and Staffordshire Bull Terriers showed a lower incidence of the condition.
Researchers identified key anatomical factors contributing to the airway obstruction: the flatness of the face, the narrowness of the nostrils, and the dog’s weight. “The risk [of the condition] varies quite significantly across the different breeds,” said Francesca Tomlinson, a veterinarian and researcher at the University of Cambridge, and lead author of the study.
The study’s methodology involved both standardized exercise tests and detailed measurements of the dogs’ heads and bodies. Dogs were assessed for symptoms such as loud or obstructed breathing. The research builds upon previous work, including a 2016 study on Bulldogs and Pugs, and aims to provide a more comprehensive understanding of BOAS across a broader range of breeds.
Dan O’Neill, an animal epidemiologist at the Royal Veterinary College in London, commented on the study’s implications, stating, “This confirms much of what the science and biology has known for decades. Artificially selecting dogs for unnaturally short skulls reduces the ability of these dogs to breathe, sleep, exercise and live a complete canine life.”
Tomlinson suggests the findings could inform breeding practices, potentially leading to a reduction in the prevalence of BOAS through selective breeding away from exaggerated facial features. She noted a possible shift in breeding trends, observing increased awareness of respiratory issues in short-snouted breeds since the 2016 study on Bulldogs and Pugs. “Hopefully that means that [breeders] selected dogs that are less severely affected and that could have helped move the breeds to a healthier place,” she said.
