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FRIDAY, Aug. 28, 2020 (HealthDay News)<\/p>\n
In spite of serious health problems, flat-faced pooches such as bulldogs, French bulldogs and pugs win the hearts of their owners, a new study finds.<\/p>\n
Respiratory disease, breathing<\/a> issues, eye disease, spinal disease, heat stroke<\/a> and pneumonia<\/a> are among the severe disorders that afflict these dogs<\/a>. And they live an average of four fewer years than dogs<\/a> with longer muzzles.<\/p>\n Some veterinarians consider the health of flat-faced (brachycephalic) dogs too compromised to continue their breeding, the British researchers noted in the study, published Aug. 26 in PLOS ONE<\/i>.<\/p>\n And owners of pets with chronic illnesses report greater mental distress and a lower quality of life.<\/p>\n Even so, the popularity of flat-faced dogs has soared in the past decade, which suggests they’ll continue to be bred despite their significant health risks.<\/p>\n “Although dog breed popularity often follows a boom and bust pattern, our results are of real concern as they indicate that this ‘brachy boom’ is here to stay,” study co-author Rowena Packer, of Royal Veterinary College in London, and colleagues said.<\/p>\n “Owners are becoming hooked on the loving personalities of these sweet dogs, but also accepting and normalizing their shocking health issues,” the researchers said in a journal news release.<\/p>\n To learn more about people’s loyalty to Frenchies, pugs and bulldogs, researchers surveyed nearly 2,200 owners of flat-faced dogs. They found that 93% said they’d own their current breed in the future, and two-thirds said they’d recommend their current breed to someone thinking about getting a dog for the first time.<\/p>\n The chances that a current owner would get another dog of the same breed or recommend the breed to someone else was higher among first-time owners and those who had a strong bond with their dog. It was lower among those whose dog had a high number of health problems or behavioral issues.<\/p>\n Owners recommended their breed because their behavior makes them good companion dogs, they’re suitable for an inactive life with limited space, and they’re good for homes with children.<\/p>\n Some owners recommended against their breed due to a high rate of health problems, the expense, ethical and welfare concerns, bad behavior, and impact on the owner’s lifestyle.<\/p>\n The findings could be used to educate people about the problems associated with “brachy” breeds in order to control their popularity in the long-term, the researchers suggested.<\/p>\n — Robert Preidt<\/p>\n ![\"MedicalNews\"](\"https:\/\/images.medicinenet.com\/images\/HealthDay\/healthday.png\")
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