brachycephaly

Last month, Norway banned the breeding of bulldogs and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, with the Oslo District Court ruling that selective breeding, which leaves them prone to health problems, breached Norway's Animal Welfare Act.

the ruling comes after years of attempts by veterinary and animal professionals to highlight the severe and negative health consequences of brachycephalic breeds like these.

Despite raised public awareness, the market for these breeds still thrives, which prompts the question, why? Brachycephalic is the term used for a number of breeds who were bred to have shorter skulls than is usually typical of the species.

commonly resulting in a large eyed appearance and a flat, short muzzle.

Brachycephalic dogs have an array of health concerns intrinsically linked to their conformation, ranging from eye disease, respiratory disease, dystostia, difficulty giving birth, spinal disease, heat stroke and pneumonia, to name but a few.

It has been shown that owners of brachycephalic dogs value the aesthetic appearance of brachycephalic dogs, along with their behaviour and ability to fit into a sedentary lifestyle, but this comes at the expense of the animal's longevity and health.

Over time, the desire for these breeds

"Round-headed," he muttered.

"Brachycephalic, gray-eyed, black-haired, with suggestion of the negroid.

Celtic, I presume?" "I am an Irishman, sir." "Irish Irish?" "Yes, sir." "That, of course, explains it.

Let me see.

Sometimes it's a mild eye infection, an allergy or irritation from wind or dust.

Brachycephalic breeds, the ones with very flat faces, are especially prone to it.

their tear drainage hardware is crammed into a shortened skull so the fluid leaks onto the fur instead of disappearing down the ducts owners interpret the dark tear stains as sad eyes a veterinary ophthalmologist sees chronic overflow and poor drainage Livestock and wild herbivores can show the same thing for different reasons.

Get a bit of plant sap, dust or insect in the eye and reflex tearing ramps up.