Brachycephalic dog breeds like Australian, French and English Bulldogs, Pugs, Boston Terriers, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, and Shih Tzus are beloved for their affectionate nature, loyalty, and unique personalities.
However, they do come with health challenges due to their selective breeding.
In pursuing their trademark aesthetics, like their flat faces and big round eyes, brachycephalic breeds have ongoing health and welfare problems. These range from issues with their breathing, eyes and teeth, to skin irritations and spine and joint disorders.
In this blog, we’ll take you through the 7 most common health conditions associated with flat-faced dogs and how the team at Sydney Animal Hospitals can help treat them.
1. Breathing Difficulties
One of the most serious breathing problems in dogs is Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) – a condition sadly common in brachycephalic breed dogs.
Their shortened skull shape causes anatomical abnormalities in the upper airways, like narrowed nostrils and windpipes, elongated soft palates, and too much tissue in the throat.
Dogs suffering from BOAS often breathe fast, loud, and laboured, notably when they are sleeping or doing very little. They might snore or sneeze a lot, snort, gag while eating, or have other digestive issues such as vomiting and regurgitation.
Breathing problems greatly affect a dog’s quality of life, and without management or corrective surgery, it will only get worse as they age.
2. Dental Issues
Another symptom of a short, compressed head shape is overcrowded or crooked teeth.
Because of the lack of space in their mouths, brachycephalic affected dogs often get food, bacteria, and debris trapped between their teeth. This can lead to plaque and tartar build-up, bad breath, inflamed or bleeding gums, and difficulty eating.
In severe cases, the mouth can get infected, triggering painful periodontitis disease (aka gum disease), which increases a dog’s risk of developing tooth decay or even tooth loss.
Without regular dog teeth cleaning, these problems can escalate quickly, even in young dogs. Over time, poor dental health can also affect their overall well-being, potentially impacting organs like the heart and kidneys if disease spreads.
3. Eye Diseases
Eye problems in dogs can occur for many reasons. Sometimes it’s from an injury, other times it’s age-related. However, it’s most likely hereditary when it comes to a brachycephalic dog.
Pugs and similar breeds have large, protruding eyes set in shallow sockets. This makes their eyes more exposed and less protected, and as a result, they’re vulnerable to irritation and disease.
Brachycephalic dogs are at greater risk of getting corneal ulcers from bumping or rubbing their eyes, dry eye because their eyelids may not fully close, or cherry eye, where the gland in the third eyelid sticks out.
4. Skin Irritations
Pet skin conditions like dermatitis, yeast infections, and tail pocket infections can develop in all brachycephalic dog breeds.
They are genetically predisposed to allergies, and when combined with their sensitive immune system, it makes them vulnerable to skin irritants.
Their deep skin folds can trap moisture and bacteria, leading to itching (especially around the muzzle, paws, belly, and anus), redness, rashes, lumps, discolouration, and even a thinning coat or total hair loss.
Left untreated, these skin issues can worsen over time, causing chronic discomfort, foul odours, and secondary infections that may require ongoing treatment.
5. Spine & Joint Malformations
Spinal and joint problems are also common in flat-faced breeds due to their unusual bone structure.
Many of these dogs – especially those with curled “screw tails” like English and French Bulldogs – can develop malformed vertebrae, a condition called hemivertebrae. This may lead to spinal curvature, nerve compression, pain, weakness, incontinence, or even paralysis in severe cases.
Joint issues are also a concern. Conditions like hip or elbow dysplasia and patellar luxation can affect mobility and cause ongoing discomfort. In young dogs with hip problems, JPS surgery (Juvenile Pubic Symphysiodesis) may be advised to help prevent joint deterioration as they grow.
Arthritis in dogs becomes a possibility as they age, too, further limiting movement and quality of life.
6. Heat And Exercise Intolerance
One of the lesser-known challenges faced by brachycephalic breeds of dog is their inability to cope with heat.
Their shortened airways and reduced panting efficiency make it hard for them to cool down, meaning even mild temperatures or short walks on a warm day can trigger heat stress or heatstroke.
They simply can’t handle exertion the way other breeds can. What might be a casual game of catch for one dog could leave a brachycephalic dog gasping, overheated, and in distress.
This exercise intolerance doesn’t mean they don’t enjoy activity – they do! But it has to be gentle, well-timed (cool mornings or evenings), and closely monitored to avoid putting their health at risk.
7. Birthing Complications
Reproduction isn’t straightforward for many brachycephalic dog breeds either, especially Bulldogs and Pugs.
Their signature large heads and the mothers’ narrow birth canals make natural birth extremely difficult, if not impossible. As a result, Caesarean sections are often the only safe option.
Even with surgical intervention, birth can carry health risks for both the mother and her puppies. Breeding these dogs responsibly requires planning, veterinary support, and a deep understanding of the challenges involved.
Choose Sydney Animal Hospitals for Brachycephalic Breed Care
Brachycephalic breeds are unlike any other breed, and their healthcare shouldn’t follow a one-size-fits-all model.
From routine vet visits to long-term wellness plans, they benefit most from a tailored approach delivered by professionals who understand their unique anatomy, temperament, and health challenges.
Sydney Animal Hospitals’ vets have the in-depth knowledge needed to prevent and manage breed-specific issues like breathing difficulties, dental and eye diseases, skin infections, joint problems, and overheating. With their guidance, regular check-ups become more thorough, allowing for more effective monitoring and early intervention.
Our team has years of experience caring for bulldogs and similar breeds. We provide stress-free care that’s focused on keeping your dog comfortable, healthy, and thriving at every stage of life. Contact us today for more information about your breed.
