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- More dog breeds found with high respiratory risk
- What the science says about causes and risk factors
- How the study was run and the debate it sparked
- Practical advice: choosing and caring for at-risk dog breeds
- Warning signs owners should never ignore
- Which dog breeds showed the highest risk of respiratory disorders?
- Are only flat-faced dogs affected by BOAS and other respiratory disorders?
- How can prospective owners reduce the risk when choosing a puppy?
- What everyday steps help protect canine respiratory health?
- Where can veterinarians find more detail on breed-specific risks?
Before choosing your next puppy, imagine knowing that its adorable flat face could hide serious breathing trouble. New research on dog breeds reveals just how many pets live with unseen respiratory disorders, changing the way responsible owners and vets think about everyday canine comfort.
This fresh wave of data on elevated risk does more than a simple warning. It gives families, breeders, and veterinarians concrete numbers, clear dog breed risk factors, and practical levers to improve canine health over an entire lifetime.
More dog breeds found with high respiratory risk
At the heart of the latest work lies a detailed assessment of 898 dogs across 14 popular breeds. The study zeroed in on animal respiratory issues linked to brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome, or BOAS, the pulmonary disease behind that familiar noisy breathing many owners mistake for “cute snoring”.
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Researchers evaluated breeds ranging from Pekingese and Japanese Chin to Boxers, Shih Tzus, Chihuahuas, and Staffordshire Bull Terriers. Their conclusion was blunt: twelve breeds showed a measurable risk of BOAS, far beyond the usual English bulldog, French bulldog, and pug trio already under scrutiny in previous reports such as recent science coverage of breathing problems in flat-faced breeds.
From Pekingese to Japanese Chin: numbers that matter
Two breeds topped the chart for BOAS. More than 80% of Pekingese in the sample showed clinically relevant signs, closely followed by Japanese Chins at similar levels. For these dogs, laboured breathing is not a rare complication; it is the norm.
Five other breeds sat in a moderate-risk band, where roughly half to three-quarters of dogs were affected. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Shih Tzus, Griffon Bruxellois, Boston Terriers, and Dogue de Bordeaux all recorded substantial rates of disordered breathing, often invisible until exercise, heat, or stress expose their limits.
What the science says about causes and risk factors
Behind these statistics stands an ambitious piece of veterinary science. Each dog underwent respiratory testing coupled with minute body and facial measurements to pin down genetic predisposition and structural triggers. The aim was simple: turn vague impressions into quantifiable breed identification and risk profiles.
The analysis highlighted three primary drivers of BOAS. Excess body weight, narrowed nostrils, and extreme facial flattening emerged as the key trio increasing pulmonary disease risk. The team also flagged associations with traits like very short or tightly curled (“screw”) tails, suggesting that selective breeding for exaggerated features can reshape the entire upper airway architecture.
Why flat faces compromise canine health
Veterinary specialists often compare breeding for ultra-flat faces to designing a car without a radiator. Airflow cooling and gas exchange struggle to keep up when soft tissues are packed into a shortened skull. Dogs then fight chronically for oxygen, especially during summer walks or intense play.
Australian researchers quoted in related work stressed that many owners do not realise that the “cute” grunts and snorts may signal chronic oxygen deprivation and heat stress. Over time, that strain can limit exercise, reduce sleep quality and increase anaesthetic risk, turning an aesthetic preference into a daily welfare problem.
How the study was run and the debate it sparked
To build a robust picture of animal respiratory issues, the Cambridge-led group combined listening tests, exertion trials, and standardised scoring systems. They graded breathing noises from mild to severe and observed how each dog’s airway reacted under controlled, mild exercise designed to mirror a short everyday walk rather than a sporting effort.
Some experts questioned the subjectivity of listening-based evaluation, pointing out possible variation between assessors and breeds. The authors responded that their protocol uses clear criteria, such as whether abnormal sounds are heard with or without a stethoscope, and adheres to existing BOAS grading frameworks widely used in clinical research and in sources like current reviews of breed‑specific respiratory disease in dogs.
Key takeaways owners and breeders can act on
Beyond the debate over fine methodological points, the study stands out for its practical message. Breeders and owners gain a roadmap for reducing elevated risk without abandoning beloved breeds. The evidence shows that the degree of exaggeration in certain traits, rather than the label of the breed alone, drives negative outcomes.
In other words, there is room to steer selection back towards function. Choosing slightly longer muzzles, wider nostrils, and moderate tails in breeding animals could gradually shift entire populations towards better breathing, while preserving the recognisable look families love.
Practical advice: choosing and caring for at-risk dog breeds
To make these findings tangible, imagine Emma, a prospective owner set on a Shih Tzu for her city apartment. Armed with this research, her checklist changes. She now asks breeders about BOAS screening, looks for parents with open nostrils, and avoids puppies with extremely flattened faces, even within the same litter.
Veterinary teams encourage families to treat early breathing noise, snoring while awake, heat intolerance, or collapsing during walks as warning signs, not quirks. Timely consultation allows weight management, lifestyle adjustments, and, in severe cases, corrective surgery to protect long-term canine health.
Warning signs owners should never ignore
Certain behaviours should prompt rapid assessment for pulmonary disease or airway obstruction. These include prolonged recovery after light exercise, blue-tinged gums, repeated gagging without bringing anything up, and inability to rest comfortably at night.
- Persistent noisy breathing, even at rest or in cool weather
- Struggling on short walks or refusing to play as temperatures rise
- Mouth breathing and excessive panting in mild conditions
- Collapsing episodes or sudden weakness during excitement
- Overheating indoors, especially in brachycephalic puppies
Spotting these signs early can add healthy years to a dog’s life and prevent emergency crises during heat waves or stressful events.
Which dog breeds showed the highest risk of respiratory disorders?
The study identified Pekingese and Japanese Chin as having the highest proportion of dogs affected by brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome. In these breeds, more than four out of five individuals displayed clinically significant breathing problems, making careful breeder selection and veterinary follow-up especially important.
Are only flat-faced dogs affected by BOAS and other respiratory disorders?
Flat-faced, or brachycephalic, dogs face a much higher likelihood of airway compromise, but they are not the only ones at risk. The research showed varying levels of respiratory disease in 12 of the 14 breeds examined, with factors like excess weight, narrowed nostrils, and extreme anatomical traits all increasing the chance of breathing difficulties.
How can prospective owners reduce the risk when choosing a puppy?
Future owners should prioritise breeders who perform health testing for respiratory function and avoid extreme facial or body features. Looking for puppies from parents with slightly longer muzzles, open nostrils, and normal activity levels, and asking to see them during gentle exercise, can significantly lower the risk of BOAS in adult life.
What everyday steps help protect canine respiratory health?
Maintaining a healthy body weight, avoiding strenuous exercise in hot or humid weather, and scheduling regular veterinary checks are key steps. Owners of at-risk dog breeds should monitor for noisy breathing, poor heat tolerance, or reduced stamina and seek veterinary advice early rather than waiting for a crisis.
Where can veterinarians find more detail on breed-specific risks?
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Clinicians can draw on peer-reviewed resources on breed-specific respiratory disease, as well as updated guidance on brachycephalic assessment and surgery. Articles that analyse brachycephalic airway syndrome across multiple breeds, together with position statements from professional veterinary bodies, help inform evidence-based advice for clients.
