Brachycephalic (flat-faced) dogs including bulldogs, pugs and French bulldogs have anatomy that causes chronic breathing difficulty, heat stress and multiple secondary health problems throughout their lives.
Brachycephalic dog welfare represents a systematic failure where breed standards have prioritised aesthetics over animal welfare. Dogs with severe conformations experience lifelong respiratory compromise, exercise intolerance and heat stress. Every breath in severely affected dogs requires more effort than in dogs with normal anatomy. Breed reform requires changes to breed standards, breeding practices and consumer purchasing behaviour.