Flat-faced dog breeds including French bulldogs, pugs, and English bulldogs suffer from severe respiratory and other anatomical problems caused by selective breeding.
Brachycephalic dogs face chronic welfare compromise from the moment of birth. Airway obstruction causes laboured breathing that owners sometimes normalise as breed-typical. The continuous effort of breathing with a compromised airway is physically exhausting and causes chronic hypoxia in severe cases. Skin fold infections, eye problems, and spinal deformities compound respiratory issues. Surgical correction can improve welfare but cannot fully overcome the fundamental anatomical conflict. The popularity of extreme flat-faced breeds driven by social media exposure is perpetuating a welfare crisis that requires both regulatory and cultural change.