Noisy breathing sign of suffering for flat-faced dogs, experts say
Forty per cent of English bulldogs suffer from BOAS.
The International Collaborative on Extreme Conformations in Dogs (ICECDogs) has warned that noisy breathing could signify severe health problems in brachycephalic dogs.
Experts are now calling for flat-faced dogs with noisy breathing to not be described as ‘healthy’ when promoted, bred from, sold, shown or rehomed.
The guidance, which draws on research from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC), warns that noisy breathing during rest or light exercise is a sign of severe respiratory disease in flat-faced dogs. This includes awake-snoring and raspy breathing.
These breathing issues are one of many health problems which are linked to extreme body conformations. Flat faces leave dogs with narrow nostrils, compressed noses and elongated soft palates, which block the movement of air through the nose and throat.
This condition, known as Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS), affects 60 per cent of pugs, 50 per cent of French bulldogs and 40 per cent of English bulldogs.
Despite this extreme conformation, there has been a rising demand for flat-faced dogs – which the RVC has termed the ‘flat-faced dog crisis’. French bulldogs have increased in popularity by 166 per cent in the UK since 2009, while English bulldogs are 64 per cent more popular.
The RVC’s VetCompass data estimates that there are 503,798 French bulldogs, 186,725 pugs and 132,024 English bulldogs in the UK.
ICECDogs advises prospective dog owners to avoid breeds with extreme conformations, especially if they display noisy breathing.
Those who already have a flat-faced dog are encouraged to manage their dog’s weight and regularly attend annual veterinary health examinations. They should carefully monitor their pet’s breathing for signs of distress, especially as their dog ages.
Veterinary practices should also be grading dogs’ respiratory function to establish the severity of its breathing problems.
Dan O’Neill, chair of the UK Brachycephalic Working Group and co-founder of ICECDogs, said: “Owners need to recognise that it is never ‘normal’ or healthy” for a dog to have noisy breathing at rest or when lightly exercising – including snoring, snorting, wheezing or raspy breath.
“Air hunger like this is evidence of a lifetime of severe suffering. Owners should also be aware that breathing problems in flat-faced dogs generally worsen with age, if their dog is overweight and during hot weather.”
Image © Shutterstock
The BSAVA has opened submissions for the BSAVA Clinical Research Abstracts 2026.
