Brachycephaly & Why You Should Care

Brachycephaly can be defined as: 

1. Brachy – means shortened 
2. Cephaly – means head

Brachycephalic animals have shortened skull bones, giving the face and nose a pushed-up appearance, as found in breeds such as Pugs (dogs) and Persians (cats.) 

Due to the shorter bones of the face and nose, the relationships between other soft tissue structures are altered, resulting in serious consequences for these animals that severely affect their quality of life. 

Brachycephalic Cats Include:

• Persian
• Himalayan
• Burmese
• British Shorthair
• Exotic Shorthair
• Scottish Fold
• Bombay
• Selkirk Rex 
• Burmilla
• Muchkin
• American Burmese

Brachycephalic Dogs Include:

• Bulldogs (French and English)
• Boxer Dogs
• Boston Terriers
• Pekingese
• Chinese Pugs
• Lhasa Apsos
• Shih Tzus
• Bull Mastiffs

Why Does Brachycephaly Exist?

This condition began when breeders created a designer pet with larger, often-bulging eyes and a pushed-in face to compete with other breeders. 

Their popularity grew, and so did competition among breeders to further manipulate breeds to accommodate the market. Unfortunately, even though it’s now well-known how these critters are affected, they remain popular, thus encouraging further manipulation.

What’s the Harm?

Dogs and cats with Brachycephaly are known to develop serious respiratory issues that need constant monitoring and can prove fatal. 

One such condition is Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome, which refers to a collection of upper airway abnormalities that not only affect their ability to breathe, but their ability to swallow, resist infections, clear their trachea, and, sadly, their ability to walk, run, or even rest comfortably. 

Cats and dogs with Brachycephaly often have small, narrow nostrils that restrict their airflow. Have you been in an environment where you weren’t able to take in enough clean air? It can be very restrictive and uncomfortable even for a few minutes, right?. Now, imagine what it’s like for these adorable critters, who are always at risk.. 

In Brachycephalic breeds, their palates, which are located on the soft part of the roof of the mouth, are typically elongated. This means their palates are too long for the length of their mouths; therefore, they partially block the trachea (windpipe) entrance at the back of their throats. Additionally, their tracheas are smaller than normal and are less likely to be cleared of airborne bacteria and debris, which can cause respiratory infections. Can you imagine feeling that?

Critters with Brachycephaly can suffer laryngeal collapse because too much stress is placed on the cartilage of the larynx (voice box) and, eventually, they aren’t able to open wide enough, which causes further airflow restrictions. Imagine not being able to get enough air and constantly having to gasp. 

The laryngeal saccules, or the small pouches that are located just inside the voicebox, can turn outwards or be sucked into the airway due to the effort it takes for them to breathe. Not only is this uncomfortable, but it further obstructs the flow of air, causing more risk to their health. Imagine how horrible it must feel for a critter to know that if they try to breathe normally, they can cause more discomfort and pain. 

Sadly, they can further suffer due to gastroesophageal reflux, when the intestinal fluid flows back into the esophagus, causing further unnecessary discomfort. It’s heartbreaking and inhumane, yet breeders continue to manipulate animals knowing this information exists.

It’s Maddening and Abusive

It’s difficult to fathom what our critters go through when they’re unwell and unable to breathe and to know that breeders continue to create designer animals to serve a growing market of their own creation is, in my opinion, irresponsible.

Caregivers trust breeders to be aware of the health and welfare needs of animals and, unfortunately, this is not often the case. Breeding is typically an unregulated industry, and even those registered with an industry association may not be ethical or humane.

We Can Still Enjoy Critters Without Adapting Them

I am not suggesting you give up your critters or refuse to adopt a Pug or Persian; however, I am asking that you become aware and put pressure on breeders, kennel clubs, and other associations to stop playing God with these beautiful, sentient beings.

We can still have Pugs or Persian cats without these extreme manipulations. To prove this, look at earlier photos of the breeds and note how their snouts were longer and their eyes didn’t look like they were bulging out of their heads.  

Earlier examples of these breeds were healthier; however, to set themselves apart, some breeders manipulated the process further, often through inbreeding, to create what we now know as the flat-faced breeds. 

Not only has breeding manipulation affected Pugs, Persians, and other flat-faced breeds, but it’s also created welfare issues for breeds, such as the German Shepherds, whose leg and spinal structures have been changed over the years to create a designer look. Sure, shorter legs and elongated backs are popular, but they can, and do, cause serious health issues for these animals. 

And, as mentioned, inbreeding is often used to create the early designer version which can cause a whole cycle of issues such as internal organs malfunctioning and, even being misplaced. 

It upsets me that this has been allowed to continue and how some people who say they’re animal advocates will shy away from the topic because flat-faced breeds are popular, thus, profitable.

Do This Exercise

Before anyone argues that Brachycephaly can be controlled, and there are operations available if needed, I want you to stick out your tongue for an hour and then tell me how that felt. Did it seem natural? Did your tongue get a strange coating on it? Did you have a strange taste in your mouth? Did you get tired or anxious? Did you start fidgeting out of discomfort or embarrassment? I recommend this exercise to anyone who challenges my concerns about Brachycephalic breeds. 

We have all seen the pugs and cats with their cute tongues dangling out of their mouth which seems to be part of their appeal, thus causing more breed manipulation. However, in most cases, these critters’ tongues are out almost constantly because there’s no room in their mouths to keep them!  Not only does this cause airborne bacteria, dirt, and debris to get on their tongues, but it causes more problems with their ability to breathe naturally.  

How can any of this be considered normal?

Look at Photos

To get a visual of how breed manipulation has affected our critters, I suggest you do searches for the various breeds I have mentioned above. However, don’t just rely on a typical Google search, as you are likely to get current photos. I suggest you look through archived photos from various magazines, such as Dog and Cat Fancy. 

My Lhasa Apso, who I adopted fourty years ago, looked nothing like the pups some breeders have manipulated to market today. It’s sad to see that a once-bouncy and energetic dog who could breathe safely and regularly is now put at risk because of human selfishness. 

I would also like you to look at photos of German Shepherds from thirty to twenty years ago, and compare them with the breed today. You will see that they have been manipulated to have shorter back legs, yet people wonder why they have hip issues. Do the same types of searches for bulldogs and boxers. 

These exercises are important because they create awareness and hopefully, the information they reveal will be shared to protect the well-being of critters. 

Further Validation

I have added two videos from a veterinarian, for whom I have the utmost respect, which he treats dogs that have been designed for market. Though one may think having a dog whose tongue hangs out is cute, think what this poor critter has to deal with.

In the next video, you will learn about the davastating effects of not being able to breathe properly as the vet has to do an operation. An operation does not justify the continued manipulation of the breed. All operations come with a risk, not to mention the recovery needed, and the fact it’s intrusive and has to be done because of decisions breeders made.

The following video is quite informative and will provide suggestions for treatment. And, though treatment is available, it’s invasive and, in my opinion, could be avoided if the industry stopped breeding designer pets. With that said, I am grateful there are options available for critters in need.

Summary

I am not attacking ethical breeders or those who love their Brachycephalic critter. My intention is to create awareness so critters are treated fairly, with their welfare needs in mind, and fulfilled, whenever possible. 

I do not believe manipulating a breed for market is ethical, and I believe it needs to stop for the sake of the animals’ health and ability to thrive. 

Breed manipulation is not only inflicted on dogs and cats, but also on horses, cows, and other animals. Is it fair to manipulate a breed for market knowing they will have discomfort and, let’s be honest, not all critters have the opportunity for regular veterinarian care due to their caregiver’s budget constraints? Therefore, I ask that we consider educating one another about the risks and ensure they have the financial resources in place to attend to these adorable critters’ special needs.