It's Not Just Bulldogs: Study Reveals These Flat-Faced Dog Breeds Struggle to Breathe

For some time, flat-faced dog breeds such as Bulldogs have been the focus of attention regarding breathing problems. However, a new study from the University of Cambridge reveals that this problem is much more widespread and affects breeds that have previously received little attention.

The research, which involved almost 900 volunteer dogs, found that two less popular breeds, the Pekingese and the Japanese Chin, actually have a very high risk of chronic respiratory problems, comparable to those seen in Bulldogs.

Dr. Francesca Tomlinson and her team documented that only 10.9% of Pekingese and 17.4% of Japanese Chin were able to complete a breathing test without showing signs of respiratory distress. This figure shows how massive the health risk is for these two breeds, even though they receive less public attention than other popular breeds.

This condition is medically known as Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS). The disease occurs because the soft tissues inside the skull, which become shorter, continue to grow to their normal size, thus blocking the airways and forcing the dog to work harder to simply breathe.

The researchers emphasized that the risk cannot be assessed solely on the basis of appearance. They used a three-minute physical activity test to measure actual respiratory function.

“A score of zero means that the dog breathes calmly even after exercise. A score of three indicates a dog that has difficulty breathing as soon as it starts to move,” the report states. This testing successfully detected dogs that appeared physically healthy but were actually experiencing serious airflow obstruction.

The study, published in the journal PLOS One, identified three main factors that worsen BOAS:

Interestingly, a link was found between non-facial physical characteristics and breathing in certain breeds. For example, in Staffordshire Bull Terriers and Shih Tzus, shorter tails were actually correlated with a higher risk of respiratory problems.

The researchers urge prospective dog owners to be more selective. Before adopting, it is recommended to monitor the dog’s breathing while at rest and during a short walk. If snoring or heavy breathing is heard, it is a warning sign.

Long-term change depends on dog show standards and breeder decisions. In the past, judges often awarded dogs with extreme facial features (very flat noses), which were then imitated by breeders. This study encourages healthy respiratory function to be made the primary standard of breed beauty, rather than just excessive physical appearance.