Do you know what a brachycephalic dog is? Brachycephaly is a syndrome common to some breeds of dogs. Brachycephalic animals have differences in their anatomy that end up negatively impacting their health. As they usually suffer from respiratory problems, they need special care throughout their lives. But despite all the health problems, brachycephalic breeds have gained a spaceOne of the most popular breeds in the world, the Shih Tzu, is brachycephalic, as are many others such as the Pug and all types of Bulldogs. Want to know which dog breeds have this characteristic, what health problems are common and what care they should receive? The Paws of the House explains it to you!

What are brachycephalic dogs? Understand how brachycephaly arose in dogs

Brachycephalic dogs are characterized by a shorter skull and muzzle than dogs of other breeds. This change in dog anatomy originated from crossbreeding between dogs with smaller muzzles. The crossbreeding was promoted by breeders who wanted to obtain species that had this more prominent feature, in addition to a proportional jaw, simply byAs a result, brachycephalic dog breeds emerged, which, due to anatomical differences, suffer from some health problems mainly related to breathing.

Brachycephalic breeds: which dogs have the syndrome?

Many of the most popular dog breeds in Brazil and around the world suffer from brachycephaly. Usually, brachycephalic breeds are very cheerful, fun and playful. Recognizing a dog with the syndrome is not very difficult, as they have very noticeable and similar physical characteristics: the wide-set eyes, the flattened muzzle and the rounded face. The Shih tzu isBrachycephalic, like the Lhasa Apso, both have such similar physiognomies that they are often confused. This similarity is very common, as they have the same anatomical characteristics. The breeds of brachycephalic dog are:

• Shih tzu
• Lhasa apso
• Maltese
• Bulldog (French, English, American)
• Pug
• Pekingese
• Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
• Dogue de Bordeaux
• Boxer
• Boston Terrier

The brachycephalic dog has respiratory and eye problems

One of the main characteristics of a brachycephalic dog is its flattened muzzle. This causes its nostrils to be stenoic, that is, narrower than normal. With less space, the passage of air is made more difficult. The dog with the syndrome has a less developed trachea, which makes it more difficult for air to pass through it. These differences in the anatomy of dogsBrachycephalic breeds have respiratory problems as a consequence, which is why it is so common to see brachycephalic dogs with wheezing.

Another very common condition is excessive snoring. Brachycephalic animals have an elongated soft palate (back of the roof of the mouth), which causes it to vibrate much more when air passes through it. This vibration results in frequent snoring. In addition, the wide-set eyes are very exposed, which facilitates the onset of eye problems. Finally, the teeth of animals with the conditionWith a shortened jaw, they have less room to develop and therefore grow in irregular shapes.

Brachycephalic dogs need care on hot days

All the differences in the anatomy of a brachycephalic dog make health problems frequent, affecting the pet's daily life. Therefore, the dog with the syndrome needs special care for the rest of his life. Regular veterinary follow-up is essential to keep health up to date. Another care is related to walks with the dog. Puppies, regardlessof the breed, need physical activities and daily walks and with brachycephalics it is no different, but the exercises must be done in moderation and at low intensity, because an exaggeration can compromise their breathing. The ideal is light walks for a short time, always taking a bottle of water to keep the pet hydrated.

In addition, do not walk them at the hottest times of the day. Care for brachycephalic dogs should be redoubled in summer. They already have difficulty in performing heat exchange naturally and, on hot days, it can get worse. As a result, hyperthermia can occur, which is an excessive increase in body temperature. So, if you have a brachycephalic dog, always moisten its body temperature.paws and offer plenty of water on very hot days.