July 17, 2025: PDF file of this release here

INTERNATIONAL EXPERTS WARN NOISY BREATHING SHOWS SUFFERING IN POPULAR FLAT-FACED DOGS

Embargoed until  July 17, 2025 00:00 CET (01:00 BST)

·       Dog experts warn that noisy breathing in flat-faced dogs such as French Bulldogs, Pugs and English Bulldogs is evidence of suffering.

·       ‘Trendy’ French Bulldogs and other flat-faced breeds are often acquired for fashion over health, resulting in lifetimes of suffering

·       International experts warn people to stop and think before acquiring dogs with extreme body shapes

·       Owners of flat-faced dogs advised to keep their dogs slim and attend annual veterinary general health examinations to spot suffering earlier

The International Collaborative on Extreme Conformations in Dogs (ICECDogs) has released new guidance for owners advising that brachycephalic (flat faced) dogs with noisy breathing (awake-snoring or raspy breathing) at rest or light exercise are suffering from severe respiratory disease and should never be considered as normal or healthy. Flat-faced dogs with noisy breathing at rest or light exercise are suffering and should not be described as healthy dogs if promoted, bred from, sold, shown or rehomed.

The ICECDogs is a multinational group formed to address the escalating global welfare issues and suffering caused by extreme conformations (body shapes) in dogs. ICECDogs defines extreme conformation as a physical appearance that has been so significantly altered through selection by humankind that affected dogs commonly suffer from poor health and welfare, with negative impacts on their quality of life. Brachycephaly (being flat-faced) is an example of an extreme conformation that sadly many humans seem to like but that leads to lifetimes of suffering for many of the flat-faced dogs. Examples of common flat-faced dog breeds that are often affected by health issues linked to their extreme conformation include the French Bulldog, Pug and English Bulldog.

The international ICECDogs group is urging the public to be aware that noisy breathing at rest or light exercise is evidence of respiratory disease and suffering. Anyone wishing to acquire a healthy dog is advised to never acquire a dog with noisy breathing at rest or light exercise. People who already own a flat-faced dog, such as a French Bulldog, Pug or English Bulldog, are advised to carefully monitor their pet’s breathing for signs of distress and seek veterinary advice if their dog’s breathing is noisy whilst resting or lightly exercising. The warning comes amid growing concerns about high levels of respiratory problems which affect flat-faced dogs’ ability to breathe freely, known as Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS). BOAS prevents affected dogs from breathing properly, as features of an extremely flat face, such as narrow nostrils, compressed nose, and elongated soft palate, can block the movement of air through their nose and throat.

Flat-faced dogs, also called brachycephalic breeds, can suffer from a number of health problems linked to their extreme body shape, including issues with their breathing. Rising demand over the past decade and a half for these extreme types of dogs has created the ‘flat-faced dog crisis’. In the UK, French Bulldogs have risen in popularity by 166% and English Bulldogs by 64% since 2009 according to Kennel Club puppy registration figures. Royal Vet College ‘VetCompass’ data estimate that there are 503,798 French Bulldogs, 186,725 Pugs and 132,024 Bulldogs currently in the UK so the scale of the health issues is huge.

Dr Dan O’Neill, Chair of the UK Brachycephalic Working Group, Associate Professor for Companion Animal Epidemiology at the RVC and co-founding ICECDogs member, 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 and these dogs require urgent veterinary care. 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.”

“BOAS is sadly not curable but there are ways that owners can help to improve their pet’s quality of life. These include keeping them slim, having annual veterinary health examinations and breathing assessments, taking care during exercise and keeping them cool during warm weather.

“The key message to the public here is that noisy breathing at rest or light exercise in flat-faced dogs is never normal and these dogs are suffering. Anyone thinking about acquiring a flat-faced dog is urged to ‘stop and think before acquiring a dog with an extreme conformation.”

More information about the ICECDogs and its advice for current or prospective owners can be found at https://www.icecdogs.com/ .

ENDS

Notes to editors

About ICECDogs:

Further information is available at https://www.icecdogs.com/

The International Collective on Extreme Conformations in Dogs (ICECDogs) is a global multi-stakeholder group that works together to minimize welfare issues resulting from extreme conformations in dogs by seeking out and applying evidence-based canine and human approaches.

The current focus of the ICECDogs is to support national/regional multi-stakeholder groups engaged in the issues raised by extreme conformation in dogs, and to act as a leader in the development and dissemination of policy and guidance on minimizing extremes of conformation and promoting moderate, healthy conformation in dogs.

ICECDogs collaborates with (multi-)stakeholder groups in the following countries:

1.   Australia

2.   Canada

3.   Denmark

4.   Finland

5.   Germany

6.        Ireland 

7.   New Zealand

8.   Sweden

9.             United Kingdom

Position statement Infographic (downloadable version here)