Extreme brachycephalic breeds including French bulldogs and pugs suffer chronic respiratory, eye, and skin problems as a direct result of selective breeding.
Brachycephalic breeds represent a welfare crisis created by selective breeding for appearance at the expense of fundamental function. A dog that cannot breathe freely, regulate body temperature effectively, or exercise without distress is experiencing chronic welfare compromise as an inherent feature of its conformation. This is not a disease that can be treated away — it is built into the anatomy. The popularity of extreme flat-faced breeds means that veterinary practices are now managing endemic populations of dogs with structural health problems that require lifelong management and often surgical intervention. Meaningful reform requires changing breeding standards, reducing consumer demand through public awareness, and considering policies that restrict the breeding and sale of breeds with severe conformational defects.