Flat faced breeds ( brachycephalic)...

English bulldogs, Frenchies, Pugs, Boxers, Bostons... Oh my!

I was feeling a little hesitant about writing this blog. I love these breeds - is there anything cuter then a little frenchie face? I've recently been feeling more and more like breeding these dogs is cruel and unfair. Especially the way they are bred now.


French and English bulldogs suffer from hip dysplasia, difficulty breathing, collapsed tracheas, extreme sensitivity to heat, hypothyroidism, dry eye,  skin infections and fungus. Other health problems that English Bulldogs are prone to include an underdeveloped trachea, Von Willebrand's disease, valve defects of the heart, Spina Bifida, cleft palate, elbow dysplasia, cataracts, and corneal ulcers. Then add to these problems a deformed intestinal system (a by-product of achondroplasia or dwarfism) which makes the dog constantly fart. 
Hmmmm that seems like a lot of genetic problems for one breed. 
They also can't really breed normally, usually they are either artificially inseminated (video - warning graphic) or a breeding table, otherwise known as a mating cradle or rape rack,  is used. After all of this over 90% require a C-Section . 

This all seems very unnatural to me. It also seems like us humans have really screwed things to have these dogs look a certain way. It seems for a large part of society, dogs have become fashion accessories. I wonder if the reason we still have these breeds around, despite the problems they have breeding and birthing, and why they've been allowed to get so extreme in the first place -is surgical intervention? If it wasn't possible people would have to breed physically capable dogs. As it happens, it is possible. Puppy buyers are perfectly willing to pay what it costs to make these dogs and I guess as long as there's a market there will be breeders to supply it.

Recently I was at the beach with Gus and my friend and her boxer. After about 30 seconds off leash, her dog laid down and didn't get back up. We ran over to him and he was totally unresponsive. His body was floppy and he was barely breathing. We managed to pick him up and started running to the car, at this point he had stopped breathing. A few feet from the car he took a couple of shallow breaths. He eventually started to wake up and after a few minutes was alert but lethargic. We were in Tofino at the time and found out that the closest veterinarian was 2 hours away! (business opportunity in Tofino for a Vet)!! 
He has a history of fainting - but he had never stopped breathing before. He has Boxer cardiomyopathy a genetic disorder common in boxers. 

Gus and bubba

Boxers are also prone to other serious heath problems including; breathing problems, digestive problems, pancreatitis (they're dog has this as well), brain tumors, deafness and blood clotting issues. Boxers have the highest rate of heart disease out of all pet animals! Now I loveeeee boxers, they are so friendly, loving and they are great companions but what have we done to these dogs???


All flat faced dogs overheat easily - so be careful out in the sun and when they are running around!

I would say most of these issues are due to show breed standards. Selective breeding has occurred in dogs for thousands of years, mostly without a problem. However in the last 100 years and particularly the last 50, the emergence of Kennel clubs as well as clubs devoted to specific breeds has led to a culture of in-breeding that has wreaked devastation in the pure-bred canine community. Dogs are bred to look a certain way instead of for function.
Add puppymills to that and you have an even bigger problem - more on that another time.