We know Australians love our small dogs. Pugs, French bulldogs, those ones that look like big rats. It’s massively trendy to take your impossibly tiny pup out for a stroll. But, as you’re probably also aware, many breeds of dog aren’t really built to be that small.
Small breeds suffer big health problems – mainly with their respiration. Anyone who’s ever heard a pug or Frenchie breathe after even minor physical exertion will know what I’m talking about.
A report published today in the spiffily titled Canine Genetics and Epidemiology pointed out that demand for these little pups has skyrocketed recently, and that these dogs are prone to breathing, skin and eye disorders at a much higher rate than other dogs. They’re called ‘brachycephalic breeds’
In fact, according to researcher Kendy Teng said that “brachycephalic breeds are number four of the top five dog breeds considered by veterinarians to be unsuitable for continued breeding due to compromised health and welfare.”
Apparently, vets are already seeing increased demand for their services because of the popularity of these breeds, with treatments for laryngeal problems and skin infections often hitting pet owners for tens of thousands of dollars.
Recommendations for breeders going forward align with some of the goals set by the Australian Kennel Council, who are encouraging breeders to think more about animal welfare and less on engineering new dogs.
Focus is said to be less on birthing dogs with big cute heads, and more on ensuring that female dogs have stronger and larger pelvic girdles to prevent stress during birth.
Source: ABC.
Photo: Getty Images / Samantha French.
