Brachycephalics

We are in the process of compiling articles and materials that elaborate upon health management concerns for brachycephalic breeds.   We will add to these resources over time, and encourage IPFD's Partners to assist us by providing relevant content. Please see the Breed Database pages for each of the Brachycephalic breeds - we welcome our content partners and breed experts to provide content for inclusion on the individual breed's pages.     This collection of articles reflects work done to address the brachycephalic breed's issues by different countries, kennel clubs, the scientific research community, veterinarians and canine health and welfare experts.   Breeder's efforts to produce healthy, typey dogs and judge's roles in awarding functional breed representatives play a significant part in individual dog's length and quality of life.  Ultimately it is hoped that understanding and discussion of the issues will promote a promising future  meeting the goal of improving health and welfare amongst the brachycephalic dog breeds.
The reference materials listed below are housed on the DogWellNet website in different categories -  i.e., in Downloads, Forums, Blogs, the Breeds Database pages for brachycephalic breeds and in various DogWellNet Health and Welfare Categories.

 

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  Continuing our series on The Brachycephalic Issue:   Today Rowena Packer and others have published the following study: Impact of Facial Conformation on Canine Health: Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome  (Rowena M. A. Packer, Anke Hendricks, Michael S. Tivers, Charlotte C. Burn; [PLOS] Published: October 28, 2015   DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0137496 ).  The study concludes that shorter muzzles are associated with increased risk of health problems (Brachycephalic Airway Sydrome), even within affected breeds and offers a good discussion of practical implications and recommendations.  As you will see at the end of the abstract (below), the authors suggest that "breeding organisations should actively discourage exaggeration of this high-risk conformation in breed standards and the show ring."     Numerous articles on DogWellNet.com outline work that has been ongoing by some of our Partner organizations, e.g. the Breed Specific Instructions program (e.g., Swedish, Finnish and Norwegian Kennel Clubs); Finland Pug Study; work in Germany by the French Bulldog club and efforts by The Kennel Club in the UK, including Breed Watch.  We are in the process of assembling a further catalog of efforts in this area.    IPFD and DogWellNet.com will continue to compile and share resources on/for:

• evidence for the extent, prevalence and severity of issues of health and welfare, 
• efforts - who is doing what, where to address issues, and
• evidence on what is working, challenges and barriers to moving forward.

     

The study by Packer, et al. is timely and important.  DogWellNet.com will be compiling and commenting further on this and similar research, in an effort to continue to assemble evidence pertinent to the Brachycephalic Issue.  

This image, from their study shows not only how they measured but also the extreme variation of muzzle length in 3 breeds.

 

  

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Developments in Sweden in the fall of 2015 serve to highlight the challenges of addressing health and welfare in 'flat-faced dogs', i.e. The Brachycephalic Issue.  We follow them here, chronologically as they serve to exemplify the problems and, hopefully, to inform others working in this area.    

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Updated information from the FKK:

• https://www.kennelliitto.fi/en/about-us/news/finnish-kennel-clubs-walk-test-helps-eliminate-dogs-severe-breathing-problems-breeding

  The Finnish Kennel Club (FKK) has today released information about a ongoing project 'Fitness examination being prepared for Bulldogs' [Dated link; see Internet Archive: https://web.archive.org/web/20151012050702/http://www.kennelliitto.fi/en/news/fitness-examination-being-prepared-for-bulldogs]in the English Bulldogs. This is a collaborative program between the kennel club, the breed club and The University of Helsinki Veterinary Hospital. Thirty English Bulldogs are being monitored for breathing, balance, a walking test, skin problems and x-ray'd from head to tail. The  FKK has bought some equipment for the project and will pay for the study of the 30 dogs that the Breed Club has chosen to be tested. The aim is that this test could be used to evaluate dogs that would be suitable for breeding. Ultimately, the idea is to decrease health problems in any brachycephalic breed.  

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This is a translation of an article by Åsa Linholm which will appear in the Swedish Kennel Club magazine: Hundsport Special nr 2:2016.   Introduction:
The hottest topic in the Swedish dog world in summer of 2015 has been brachycephalic (flat-faced) dogs and their health.
In February 2016 the Swedish Kennel Club arranged a conference on the subject, an arrangement that was right in time,
but in fact was planned since 2014.

Results from two newly official health examinations are being added to the Finnish Kennel Club's Breeding Database. Results from BAER hearing tests and walk tests, the latter measuring the dog's exercise tolerance and breathing, are saved to the system starting from 6th August.  

Here you will find a selected group of videos that address brachycephalic issues.

Earlier this year SKK arranged a conference on the short-headed dogs. The content of the conference has now been reviewed by a working group and resulted in a statement and strategies for future work on the issue.  May of 2016 -- the SKK has posted several news releases pertaining to outlining management strategies for 'snub-nosed' breeds as follow-ups to the February conference.  

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VIDEOS of the conference presentations are available on  SKK's YouTube:

• https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJNEE6TcK5b1MGMuTbXjsDZS3g4OIUsnA

 

BBC's Science and Environment's latest article "English Bulldog health problems prompt cross-breeding call" by Paul Rincon brings to light a recent study, "A genetic assessment of the English bulldog". English Bulldog health problems prompt cross-breeding call - BBC News-internalarchive.pdf

Authors: Nai-Chieh Liu ¹, Eileen L. Troconis ¹, Lajos Kalmar ¹, David J. Price ¹, Hattie E. Wright ¹, Vicki J. Adams ², David R. Sargan ¹, Jane F. Ladlow ¹ *1
Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom, 2 Vet Epi, Mildenhall, Suffolk, United Kingdom Read the paper at: http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0181928 PDF: http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0181928&type=printable

Addressing health issues in brachycephalic breeds remains an ongoing topic of interest across the veterinary, research and breed communities as well as impacts animal welfare laws and regulatory agencies in governments. Although there is growing awareness of the potential welfare issues involved, there is clearly still a requirement for education of veterinary professionals, dog breeders and the wider public.  This article provides information on a few developments in 2017.

The Nationwide® Brachycephalic Breed Disease Prevalence Study
Short-nosed breeds more often affected by common conditions, not just known issues "A biostatistical analysis of the pet health insurance claims of more than 1.27 million dogs over a nine-year span shows that even after removing conditions linked specifically to brachycephalic breeds, dogs with the structure common to these animals are less healthy than dogs with a more normal canine appearance."

Research is ongoing.
Kennel clubs, researchers and breed fanciers in Sweden and France work to find ways to improve health in the English Bulldog breed.

  The attached paper describes a preliminary study done at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of The University of Helsinki  at the request of and in collaboration with The Finnish Pug Club.  The study aimed to determine whether aspects of clinical history and symptoms or other evaluations could differentiate between dogs identified by their owners as 'good' or 'bad' breathers.  It is a small study - 20 Pugs in total - but the findings are interesting and have been used by the Finnish Pug Club and the Finnish Kennel Club (FKK) to inform work on health issues in this breed.  

In this section we will post links to ongoing efforts to address health and welfare in brachycephalic breeds by IPFD Partners and other stakeholders.  We will include material to support international collaborations.    

Blog -- Vet Help Direct:  by Dr Pete Wedderburn BVM&S CertVR MRCVS on May 9, 2016 (see links below).   Following the Swedish example where veterinarians initiated a petition concerned with health and welfare issues in brachycephalic dogs and a challenge to UK veterinarians on the Pedigree Dogs Exposed blog...   Vets in the UK are helping to raise awareness for health and welfare issues in Brachycephalic dogs.  As detailed elsewhere on DogWellNet.com, including The Brachycephalic Issue: Evidence and Efforts, many kennel clubs and breed clubs have been addressing these issues through programs in the show ring and in breeding recommendations and regulations.  The Swedish Kennel Club (SKK) sponsored a Symposium on Brachycephalics, held in February 2016, but already planned well before the Swedish veterinary petition was launched.  The SKK is now  releasing information on the strategic work being done, in collaboration with breeders, breed clubs, veterinarians, dog judges, government representatives, etc.   The Norwegian Kennel Club is taking a proactive and hard-hitting approach to the issues.  See FOCUS ON BRACHYCEPHALIC BREEDS. (Internal) NKK - Focus on brachycephalic breeds 11-04-2016.pdf   Concerted efforts of veterinarians, together with other stakeholders is needed to gather evidence on this multi-faceted and complex issue and to determine the best approaches to enhance health and welfare in these dogs. Issues and actions relative to exaggerated features in dogs will be a stream in the IPFD 3rd International Dog Health Workshop.  IPFD Partners are actively involved in international efforts to move forward in collaborative efforts including a wide range of stakeholders in dog health and welfare.  

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SWEDEN Collaboration and problem solving -- brachycephalic breeds... thanks goes to the SKK for their continued work to address health and welfare issues in dog breeds. Here you will find information pertaining to management of brachycephalic dog breeds - discussion and actions - by representatives from Swedish Veterinary Association, the Swedish Board of Agriculture, the County Administrative Board, the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and SKK.    Many thanks go to SKK's Linda Andersson for sharing this write-up with the DogWellNet community.

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The Evolution of Petface
The same traits that make these dogs adorable threaten their health and well-being

• https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/evolution-petface-180967987/

          By Kat Eschner
          smithsonian.com
         January 31, 2018 8:30AM    

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2020... Hélène Denis from the Club du Bulldog Anglais shared the French Kennel Club's BREATH Protocol
(BRachycephalic Exercise Aptitude Test for Health) - SCC Service Santé et Gestion des ressources génétiques

In 2017 stakeholders involved with management of health in the Brachycephalic breeds were engaged in an ongoing dialog. Addressing the growing popularity of breeds like the Pug, French Bulldog and Bulldog in the UK is reflected in the Brachycephalic Working Group's (BWG) framework for a partnership approach to improving brachycephalic dog health and welfare. Quote from the BWG... "In recent years, the popularity of some brachycephalic breeds has risen hugely in the UK, to the point where the high demand for some brachycephalic breeds has imposed further welfare problems around poor quality breeding practices and both legal and illegal importation of puppies to supply a booming UK market for these dogs. Realisation by owners of the reality of owning one of these breeds, along with waning novelty value often means that these dogs are relinquished to recue centres which further fuels a growing welfare concern. This complex phenomenon involving inherent health issues of individual dogs, welfare issues around high-volume breeding and importation practices, and high levels of relinquishment have conspired to create a brachycephalic welfare issue that is now recognised as one of the most pressing welfare issues for dogs in the UK."

UK-KC Registrations for 3 Top Twenty Breeds The Kennel Club registrations sources: Top 20 Breed Registrations - - 2013-2014 Top 20 Breed Registrations - - 2015-2016   Key issues on Brachycephalic health have been featured over the past several years in veterinary journals and in the mainstream Press, on Facebook pages, and in educational articles, presentations and materials on the UK Kennel Club's and UK Breed Club's websites. In March of 2017 The Kennel Club launched a Learning Resource for Health Concerns in Brachycephalic Breeds. In December of 2017 a Kennel Club Press Release addressed Brachycephalic welfare.

• Welfare crisis looms for flat faced dog breeds commonly used in advertising

(Internal) kc press release 2017 welfare crisis looms flat-faced breeds.pdf

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FECAVA: Healthy Breeding

• Brachycephalic issues: shared resources (multiple country's resources)
• Extreme Breeding Infographic BREEDING FOR EXTREME CONFORMATIONS - What is the problem? & What can we do? Causes, consequences...

Raising awareness about health and welfare issues associated with excessive breed-related traits such as brachycephaly is important to FECAVA. The Federation has recently adopted a Europe-wide position paper on this topic.         The Cambridge BOAS Research Group opened their new website in 2016.  Great information on their programs and progress.  Also background information on BOAS at a level for informed breeders, veterinarians and others.  There are possibilities for dog owners and breeders in the UK to participate in and support this work.   Owners and breeders: See the flyer for an overview.    

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"Following the Swedish Kennel Club (SKK) Symposium on Brachycephalic Dogs in February 2016, the SKK issued a press release describing the background, current and future actions related to brachycephalics. See article and press release on DogWellNet.com. Included in that report was a statement on the breeding of brachycephalic dogs and strategies to improve the health status. It was indicated that actions must be taken with cooperation across many stakeholder groups."   Here we provide links to information posted by the Norwegian Kennel Club and The Finnish Pug Club  on approaches to and initiatives for management of health and welfare in brachycephalic breeds.   The Swedish, Finnish and Norwegian Kennel Clubs are part of The Nordic Kennel Union.        

"Brachycephalic syndrome (BS) describes the result of hereditary abnormalities occurring in dogs and cats from selective breeding for shorter heads and dorsorotation of the face. Although respiratory problems are the best recognised of the problems associated with BS, the problem is not limited to the respiratory tract, writes Kathryn M Pratschke, North East Veterinary Referrals, Northumberland Business Park West, UK"  

  The first formal paper from the Cambridge study mentioned in another article in The Brachycephalic Issue was published in June:   Characterisation of Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome in French Bulldogs Using Whole-Body Barometric Plethysmography.   See the Abstract (below).   This work offers exciting new possibilities to advance health and welfare in brachycephalic breeds.

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  It is great to see the increased momentum for addressing issues of health and welfare in brachycephalics around the world. IPFD hopes to facilitate collaborative international efforts across multiple stakeholder groups.  It is clear that this issue is a global one and requires a coordinated approach to be truly effective.  Perhaps what is also needed is a recognition that these are complex challenges, with no easy solution.   The issues involve not only medicine and science, but are fraught with emotion and influenced by long-held beliefs. Aspects of human-dog interactions both enrich and complicate the situation. Success is most likely to come from positive collaborative efforts where all stakeholders take responsibility for their own roles and work together on common goals, rather than trying to criticize others and apportion blame.   There is a need for information and evidence, compiled and interpreted in a logical and unbiased way. There is a need to share resources, experience and expertise, with reduction of redundant efforts.  There is need for courage, as this is a challenging and evocative issue.  But there is also a need for compassion - for the dogs, first of all, but also for owners who may not understand; for breeders who did not set out to purposely create problems; to veterinarians who may struggle with conflict of interest serving their business, their clients and their patients; for dog show judges, many of whom struggle for a balanced approach; and more.     The controversies and challenges represent an opportunity now to work together to enhance the health, well-being and welfare of dogs and to support human-dog interactions.     See below for a summary of and links to recent international efforts and resources.  We will continue to edit and update this document.