“It is not just going to be a flash in the pan that we see this huge surge and then it goes away,” she said. “As soon as you get a market drive then the puppy farms just say ‘ooh we’ll breed those now,’” she said.īut Dr Rowena Packer of the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) said the problem is not confined to new owners, with recent research from the RVC finding that more than 90% of pug, French bulldog and English bulldog owners said they would own another such dog in the future. According to recent research more than 80% of Boston terrier, bulldog and French bulldog puppies in the UK are born in this manner.Ĭaroline Kisko, secretary of the Kennel Club urged owners to do their homework before buying a squashed-faced dog. Among the causes of eye ulcers is that brachycephalic dogs often cannot blink properly and have problems with tear production, while eyelashes or nasal folds can also rub the surface of their eyes.īrachycephalic breeds can have difficulties giving birth naturally because of the disproportionate size of the puppies’ heads, meaning that caesarean sections are often necessary. The head shape and prominent eyes of brachycephalic breeds means the dogs are at risk of eye conditions including ulcers. The deep folds around the dogs’ faces, such as the characteristic wrinkles of a bulldog, also bring problems as they are prone to yeast and bacterial infections. The shortened upper jaws of squashed-faced dogs means their teeth are crowded, increasing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Breeds such as pugs, bulldogs, French bulldogs and boxers are prone to a range of health problems, many of which are related to their short skulls and other characteristic features.īrachycephalic breeds often have narrow nostrils, deformed windpipes and excess soft tissues inside their nose and throat – all of which can lead to difficulties with breathing, which can also lead to heart problems.