Consider this heart-breaking fact: the average lifespan of a French Bulldog has drastically plummeted to 4.50 years, a stark contrast to the previous 10-12 years. This tragic decline directly results from overbreeding, which calls for our collective responsibility and action. This means stop buying French Bulldogs. With no demand, the overbreeding will subside. Instead, check your local shelters and French Bulldog rescues. If you can adopt one with medical needs, this would be ideal. So many are given up because their guardians don't want to deal with them and or can't afford the medical bills.
I love Frenchies as much as anyone; I was a mommy to three. However, they have their issues, and plenty of them. Like other dog breeds, they can be stubborn, territorial, food and toy-obsessive, biters, and just plain jerks, respectably. Then add all their potential health issues ( I will get into them), and you have a very high-maintenance breed.
Just about fifteen years ago, I was heart-set on a French Bulldog. I not only adopted one but three. It was unconscionable to me that mine were almost euthanized because they were "not up to breed standard," and my youngest was considered sickly and undesirable. I took them home and never looked back. As a devoted parent of French Bulldogs, I can attest to the unique care these dogs require. I also did lots of research before even considering one. I've enjoyed raising three happy, confident, well-adjusted dogs. Two of which lived to be 11-12 years old.
However, my 11-year-old had two major surgeries and faced unforeseen complications that required close monitoring daily. Which included hand-feeding for years. My oldest turned 14 this year. I worked from home their entire lives, fully aware of the care and supervision they would need. This personal experience underscores the importance of responsible parenting and the specific needs of Brachycephalic breeds.
Not everyone can stay home with their dogs all day, but this should always be considered before bringing any dog home. Every dog has specific needs; find the dog to adopt that will fit both of your needs. This should be obvious, but for example, if you don't have a yard and live in an apartment, don't adopt a young or highly energetic dog.
I don't believe anyone should crate a dog; it is no different than a cage, no matter how comfortable you make it. Crating will be another blog topic for another time. However, I brought it up because so many of you get dogs only to keep them in a "crate," thinking this is how to keep them out of trouble and potty train them. No, sorry, this is cruel and unusual punishment for a beloved family member, especially for a Brachycephalic breed that naturally has compromised breathing. Being put in a confined space for even a short period can cause overheating and respiratory distress. Crating can also contribute to Degenerative Disc Disease. Instead, buy a set of baby/doggy gates, available everywhere, in every size. Close off a kitchen area, laundry room, or spare room, put some pee pads down, and let them learn without stress, cruel confinement, or fear of being punished.
Regrettably, many have brought a French bulldog home without conducting any prior research. This is evident in the numerous social media posts and videos putting these precious dogs in dangerous situations and unnecessary stress just for views. Most are unaware of the specific care needs of a Brachycephalic breed (all flat-faced dogs) or just need to care more.
OVERHEATING:
French bulldogs and all Brachycephalic breeds should never be out in the heat of the day. They should go for cool morning and evening walks and keep to a minimum of 15 minutes at a time. For example, never take them on a long, hot hike up a steep CA canyon. Surprisingly, I have witnessed many people consistently do this, with their poor dogs overheating and struggling to breathe. Moreover, they do not have water for them.
Always have water available for your dog during an outing; they are heat-sensitive and cold-sensitive, and they can have trouble regulating their body temperature. So, if you live in extremely hot states or countries, it is selfish to choose a Brachycephalic Breed. The same goes for severe cold weather areas.
Leaving a French Bulldog or any other Brachycephalic dog outside alone, even for a short time, can be life-threatening. They can quickly overheat, fall asleep in the sun, and require emergency care, or worse, never wake up. This may sound dramatic, but I've sadly known people who have made this mistake. These tragic incidents could have been avoided with a better understanding of the breed's needs and responsible guardianship.
This should go without saying, but never leave a Brachycephalic breed alone in the car or without air conditioning, not even for five minutes. Temperatures in the car can reach dangerous levels in minutes. Brachycephalic or otherwise, no dog should be left unattended in a vehicle. It's not worth the risk or a loving thing to do. These heartbreaks can be avoided with common sense, research, and consideration.
French bulldogs like to get cozy under the covers. This we love, but do not leave them alone under the covers. They will fall asleep and get overheated. My oldest loves to do this, but as simple as it sounds, it can be deadly. Make sure their head is always free from covers during cuddle time. Clothing should not be tight, heavy, uncomfortable, or left on for long periods or unsupervised. Just because you are cold or hot doesn't mean your dog is. Take consideration when putting clothing on them.
ACTIVITIES:
Just because they can or want to do something doesn't mean they should. Bulldogs should never be allowed to go up and down staircases (even if they can). They are top-heavy, will likely take a tumble at some point, and could lead to disastrous results.
Most importantly, never leave them alone where they have access to a staircase. Moreover, jumping or letting them dangle from a frisbee or rope may get you thousands of views on social media, but these actions are irresponsible and cruel. They will undoubtedly cause painful physical problems for your beloved dog and high medical bills for you, sooner or later in their life.
Bulldogs are compact; their anatomy and organs are stuffed in a potato-shaped body. These breeds will indeed have severe back, hip, knee, and neck pain and structural damage if you continue to expose your Bulldog to these kinds of activities. Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) is one such serious problem. We will discuss DDD further below.
USE A HARNESS - IT'S HARMLESS:
Their breathing is already compromised - just by being a Brachycephalic breed. When you put a collar on them, you restrict their breathing even more. I have seen some ride a bike or skateboard while their dog is being pulled alongside them, unable to stop when they have had too much. When I approach them with concern, they get defensive and shout, "My dog is fine!" Watching an innocent Frenchie, another Brachycephalic breed, or any dog overheat and struggle to breathe is excruciating. To be pulling them around by their neck in a constricting collar while desperately gasping for breath is pure selfishness on your part; shame on you. Yet many of you still participate in these dangerous activities with your brachycephalic dog. Let me repeat this again; their breathing is already compromised by being a Brachycephalic breed, and when you put a collar on them, you restrict their breathing even more. Brachycephalic breeds should NEVER have collars around their neck and should always be walked with a harness. No excuses. If they dislike the first harness, keep trying. There are many different kinds to choose from.
For all dog parents, it's crucial to use a harness instead of a collar. A harness is a safe and comfortable way to walk your dog, ensuring their well-being and enjoyment. Collars are outdated and can cause unnecessary injuries, permanent damage, and just plain discomfort for your dog.
Collars are old-school and not so cool.
CONSIDER:
It is as physically and emotionally damaging for a dog to be pulled around by their neck as it would be for a human to be pulled around by their neck.
It's important to remember that the neck of a canine is not so different from our own. They, like us, have a trachea, esophagus, thyroid gland, lymph nodes, jugular veins, spinal column, and muscles in similar places.
Walking should be fun for your dog, but a collar can be painful, damaging, and even life-threatening.
Try putting a choke chain or a simple buckle collar around your neck and have a friend pull you around. It would be painful, yet you do this to your beloved dog.
Some of you leave your dog's collar on 24/7. Consider how uncomfortable it would be to sleep with a tight collar around your neck. Now, imagine your dog experiencing this discomfort every day.
Pulling a dog around by their neck while bike riding, running, or skateboarding is dangerous. A dog can't tell you it's painful, can't catch a breath, or is simply uncomfortable.
As a dog parent, you hold the key to your pet's safety, happiness, health, and comfort. Choosing a harness over a collar is a simple yet significant step toward ensuring your dog's well-being. Please be kind and ditch these collars below.
CHOKE COLLAR
These collars can be extremely dangerous to dogs.
Their use has been associated with the following:
whiplash
fainting
paralysis
crushing of the trachea
partial or complete asphyxiation
crushing or fracture of the bones in the larynx
dislocation of the vertebrae in the neck
bruising of the esophagus
damage to the skin and tissue of the neck
prolapsed eyeballs
brain damage
They can also have psychological consequences. Imagine if something were choking you. You, too, would probably become frightened or aggressive.
SHOCK COLLAR
Dogs who wear shock collars can suffer from physical pain and injury (ranging from burns to a heart condition called cardiac fibrillation) as well as psychological stress, including severe anxiety and displaced aggression. Individual animals vary in temperament and pain threshold; a shock that seems mild to one dog may be severe to another. The stress and confusion caused by repeated and unexpected shocks can lead to changes in a dog's heart and respiratory rates and may even cause gastrointestinal disorders.
PRONG COLLAR
The painful metal protrusions on prong collars pinch the skin around dogs' necks when they pull and can scratch or puncture the skin. Over time, this can cause dogs to develop scar tissue (which has no feeling) and build up a tolerance to the pinching. Because of this, they continue to pull, making walks even more difficult. As with choke collars, dogs may interpret the tightening of a prong collar around their neck as a stranglehold and become fearful or even aggressive.
SIMPLE BUCKLE COLLAR
You can use a comfortable harness instead of a collar to hold your dog's ID and license tags, which also have rings for dog tags. Dragging your furry buddy along by the neck is a bad idea.
Being leashed by the neck, even with a simple buckle collar, can be painful to dogs who pull or lunge, especially if their guardian jerks on the leash. It can put pressure on the trachea, the spinal cord, the vertebral discs, the esophagus, etc., and should be avoided.
NOTE:
Trainers and breeders are notorious for telling dog parents that choke collars, prong collars, and shock collars are great for training. These collars are actually making your dogs MORE aggressive and fearful. Let's be clear, no breeder or trainer who has a dog's best interest in mind would tell you to use these extraordinarily harmful and painful collars.
BRACHYCEPHALIC DOGS:
Brachycephalic dogs, all flat-faced breeds, are a group of dog breeds with distinctive short skulls and pushed-in faces. The term 'brachycephalic" is derived from the Greek words "Brachy," meaning short, and "Cephalic," meaning head. The short ned skull shape results from a genetic mutation that affects the development of the facial bones during embryonic growth. Below is a list of all Brachycephalic breeds.
Affenpinscher
Boxers
Bulldog
Brussels Griffon
BullMastiff
Boston Terriers
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Cane Corso
Chow Chow
Dogue de Bordeaux
English Toy Spaniel
French Bulldog
Japanese Chin
Lhasa Apso
Pekingese
Pug
Shar Pei
Shih Tzu
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
HEALTH RISKS FOR BRACHYCEPHALIC DOGS:
Due to their unique facial structure, Brachycephalic Airway Obstructive Syndrome (BAOS) is a multifaceted respiratory condition commonly observed in brachycephalic dog breeds. This syndrome encompasses a variety of upper respiratory abnormalities, including stenotic nares (narrowed nostrils), an elongated soft palate, and a hypoplastic trachea, all of which contribute to significant airway obstruction and subsequent breathing difficulties in affected dogs. These breathing issues can lead to symptoms such as snoring, gagging, exercise intolerance, coughing, and even episodes of respiratory distress under extreme conditions, significantly impacting these beloved family members' overall quality of life. Given the potential severity of BAOS, parents of brachycephalic breeds must be vigilant for any signs of respiratory distress, seek regular veterinary evaluation, and explore appropriate management strategies to ensure their well-being. Like I said previously, one of my Frenchies had to have BAOS surgery twice in his life, but it made for a much more comfortable life for him. If your dog is suffering and in need of BOAS surgery, do not wait. Waiting can cause additional problems like tracheal collapse (no cure), poor quality of life, digestive issues like regurgitation and vomiting, and premature death. Just think of how you would feel if you couldn't breathe, even doing the simplest things, like walking or sleeping comfortably.
Degenerative disc disease (DDD) can pose particular challenges for brachycephalic dog breeds due to their unique anatomical features. These breeds are characterized by their short muzzles and compact build, which can contribute to spinal issues. DDD occurs when the intervertebral discs degenerate, leading to potential pain, mobility issues, and, in severe cases, neurological problems. The conformation of brachycephalic breeds may further exacerbate these issues, making them more susceptible to spinal problems. It is essential for parents of brachycephalic breeds to be aware of these potential challenges and to provide appropriate preventive care and early intervention to minimize the impact of DDD on their dogs' health and well-being. Regular veterinary check-ups and appropriate lifestyle modifications can help mitigate the risks associated with DDD in these breeds.
As stated earlier, brachycephalic dogs have difficulty regulating their body temperature, so heat exhaustion is always dangerous.
Due to their facial conformation, skin fold dermatitis, dental issues, and ocular problems are also common. It goes without saying that you should be gentle when cleaning the eye area. Also, as simple as it sounds, rinse all shampoo when bathing. When I first brought my youngest home, he had a terrible yeast infection near his tail from shampoo that was left on him. Regular dental exams are crucial for a long life and healthy dog. Ensure you find a specialist experienced with brachycephalic breeds and anesthesia.
Parents of brachycephalic breeds must proactively monitor their pets' health, seek regular veterinary care, and take preventive measures to address these breed-specific health concerns.
10 WAYS YOU CAN MAKE YOUR BRACHYCEPHALIC DOG MORE COMFORTABLE:
1. Keep them comfortable: Due to their short snouts, brachycephalic dogs are prone to overheating, so it is essential to keep them in a cool and well-ventilated environment, especially during hot weather.
2. Use a harness, not a collar: Brachycephalic dogs are susceptible to respiratory issues, so using a harness instead of a collar will help reduce pressure on their necks and make breathing more comfortable.
3. Regular grooming: Keeping their facial folds clean and dry can help prevent skin infections and irritation, which are common in Brachycephalic breeds.
However, always wipe gently and never use harmful irritants near their eyes. Natural snout salve will also help with dry noses and keep their adorable button noses soft and subtle.
4. Control their exercise: Brachycephalic dogs need only 15-20-minute walks to stay healthy. It is crucial to watch for breathing difficulties and avoid strenuous activities, especially in hot weather.
5. Keep them at a healthy weight: Excess weight can exacerbate breathing problems in Brachycephalic dogs, so maintaining a healthy weight is crucial for their well-being. This means not too heavy and not too thin.
6. Consider their diet: Some Brachycephalic dogs may have trouble eating certain types of food, so choosing a diet that suits their needs can help improve their comfort. If your dog is belching, passing gas, regurgitating, throwing up, having constant diarrhea, or not interested in its food, you must change its diet and/or seek medical help. My dogs have always had home-cooked meals with wild-caught salmon, white fish, cod, chicken, eggs (no shells), fruits, veggies, potatoes, and grains. I would also supplement with the Honest Kitchen dehydrated food; they also have a goat's milk supplement, for which you just add cold water. If you have a dog that doesn't like to drink water or you feel it needs to drink more throughout the day - try it. My senior loves it (it is also full of beneficial probiotics.)
Do not feed your Brachycephalic dog items they can choke on, like bones, egg shells, dry pig ears, and rawhide. As a matter of fact, never give rawhide to any dog. They can not digest it. It should not still be on the market. It causes severe stomach obstruction for a dog, and it will need surgery to remove it.
Remember that as your dog ages, its dietary needs will change. There will be digestive and metabolic changes and, unfortunately, rotting teeth. So it may be painful or uncomfortable for them to now eat hard cookies or food they may have liked earlier. Always have a list of toxic food for dogs handy for your family members to view. Some of you think getting your dog drunk or stoned is funny. Or to feed it your favorite junk food - this is irresponsible, cruel, and dangerous. If you care about your dog, you will never do this.
Remember, the more exercise your dog gets, the more food/fuel it needs that day to replenish, just like you would. So, each meal should be adjusted depending on its activity level (this goes for all dogs).
Moreover, puppies need to eat several times daily as they grow constantly.
Lastly, feeding your dog more than once daily with nutritious foods improves overall health and vitality.
7. Regular vet check-ups: Due to their unique anatomy, brachycephalic dogs require more frequent vet check-ups to monitor for respiratory or dental issues.
8. Avoid stress: Stress and anxiety can exacerbate breathing problems in Brachycephalic dogs, so creating a calm and relaxed environment is essential.
9. Adequate rest: Brachycephalic breeds need a comfortable and quiet space to rest, as they may need more frequent breaks due to their breathing difficulties.
10. Monitor for any signs of respiratory distress: Familiarize yourself with the warning signs in Brachycephalic dogs, such as excessive panting, noisy breathing, foaming at the mouth, collapsing after exercise, regurgitation, and seek veterinary care immediately. A Brachycephalic dog's breathing is already naturally compromised. Putting a collar on restricts their breathing even more. Why would you want to make your beloved Frenchie even more uncomfortable than he already is?
CONCLUSION:
Much of my writing is common sense and applies to all dogs. However, I was compelled to share my concerns about the brachycephalic breed because I see so much unnecessary pain and suffering caused to these dogs only because their guardians lack the knowledge or sensitivity they need. Moreover, now that you know this breed's lifespan has plunged to 4.40 years from the prior 10-12 years, I ask you: do you really want to be part of the problem or part of the solution? Please consider another breed not in a crisis or, even better, check out the many rescue groups.
-Madeline Anne Zetye
Animalitarian
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