‘Flat faced’ dogs such as English Bulldogs, French Bulldogs and Pugs have become very fashionable in recent years. Many people buy these dogs because they think they look cute. This has caused breeders to emphasize the exaggerated ‘flat faced’ look in existing breeds and introduce new breeds with extreme brachycephaly such as the ‘Exotic Bully’. What people don’t realise is that a ‘flat faced’ appearance is not normal: it is part of a combination of abnormal conformational characteristics in brachycephalic breeds that can have serious consequences for the animal health and quality of life. It can also result in the need for expensive veterinary care.
Animal Welfare
17 Dec 2021