What does brachycephalic mean?

Brachy means shortened, and cephalic means head. Therefore, brachycephalic dogs have skull bones that are shortened in length, giving the face and nose a pushed-in appearance. Due to the shorter bones of the face and nose, the anatomy and relationship with the other soft tissue structures are altered; some of these changes can cause physical problems for the affected dog.

Common Brachycephalic Breeds

The most common brachycephalic breeds are Pugs, French Bulldogs and British Bulldogs.

Other brachycephalic breeds include:

• Boxers

• Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

• Shih tuz

• Boston Terriers

• Bull mastiffs

• Affenpincher

• Brussels Grifon

• Dogue de Bordeaux

• Japanese Chin

• Lhaspa Apso

• Brasileiro

• Pekingese

How does the anatomy of these dogs affect their lifestyles?

Unfortunately, due to their ‘design’, these breeds often have issues with their respiration (breathing). This is due in part to their tendency to have narrow nostrils, long and thick, soft palates, and short nasal passages. These dogs are also prone to being overweight, and all of these traits together mean that they often struggle to exercise, especially in warmer weather.

The issues with these breeds are widely recognised and there are some initiatives out there to try and breed dogs with wider nostrils and longer noses. There are also some surgeries that can be performed (please see our nares article) that can help prevent some of the issues we see.

If this article has raised any concerns about your pet, please call us on 01665 252250 or email us at info@coquetvets.co.uk.