What to consider when choosing dogs with a short snout?
What should you look for when choosing dogs with a short snout?
Many people who get a dog nowadays choose dogs with a short snout. The increasing popularity of short-nosed dogs is easy to explain. These dogs often have an endearing appearance. However, the rising interest in these dogs also has a clear downside. Many breeders see a profit model in this type of dog and go overboard in breeding these creatures. Many dogs are offered with a too short snout, resulting in these four-legged friends experiencing many health problems. It is therefore very important to pay close attention to this when purchasing dogs with a short snout.
Read in this article the following information regarding dogs with a short snout:
- The rules regarding short-nosed dogs
- Health problems for dogs with an excessively short snout
- When is a dog considered short-nosed?
- Most common dog breeds with a short snout
- Enforcement of the regulation concerning the continued breeding of short-nosed dogs
- Signs of BOAS (Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome) in dogs
- Proper nutrition and care for your dog
The rules regarding short-nosed dogs
There are rules associated with breeding (short-nosed) dogs. These rules are set by the government and are described in the Animal Keepers Decree, which came into effect in 2014. It states, among other things, that “breeding dogs with harmful physical characteristics is prohibited.” This government policy forbids continuing to breed dogs with excessively short snouts. In the past, breeders frequently did this to meet consumer demand.
The problem that has arisen here is the profit model, especially for breeders. So much money could be made from breeding and ultimately reselling short-nosed dogs that the health of the dog has been compromised as a result. A fashion trend has gone too far in unhealthy proportions. A good example of this is pugs. In the past, these dogs had long snouts. Over the past decades, these dogs have been bred to have short snouts. With the enforcement of the rules, the breeding of these pugs as it is currently done will come to an end.
What health problems can dogs with too short snouts experience?
Dogs with too short a snout often suffer from poor health. The group of abnormalities that occur in dogs due to flat noses is called BOAS (Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome). Most complaints arising from this are chronic. This is because the dogs develop a structure that no longer corresponds to the original natural build. The most common problems are breathing difficulties and shortness of breath. Due to excessive breeding of dogs with short noses, the head of the animal develops an abnormal structure. This causes the nostrils to narrow, an overly long or thick soft palate, enlarged tonsils, an abnormal larynx structure, and a too narrow windpipe.
Because dogs with too short a snout have difficulty breathing, they are much less able to run or cover long distances. Additionally, the dog may suffer from pain from birth, have trouble sleeping, or find it difficult to eat. There are also dogs with too small skulls and bulging eyes. The folds in the skin can also cause problems, as they can lead to severe inflammations.
Snout length of the dog: when is a dog considered brachycephalic?
The length of the dog's snout determines whether it is a brachycephalic dog and whether it violates legislation in this area. A "traffic light system" is used for this. According to legal rules, the dog's snout must be at least one-third the size of the head. The "traffic light system" maps this out.
- A dog breed receives a "Red label" if the length of the snout is shorter than one-third of the skull, as is the case with many pugs or English and French bulldogs. Breeding with these dogs is immediately prohibited.
- A dog breed receives an "Orange label" if the length of the snout is between one-third and half of the total length of the skull. Breeding with these dogs is allowed, provided they meet all other breeding criteria.
- A dog breed with a “green label” has a snout that is at least half the size of the skull. Breeding with this breed is therefore allowed.
The most common dog breeds with a short snout
- Boxers
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
- French Bulldogs
- English Bulldogs
- Maltese
- Pugs
- Pekingese
- Shih Tzus
- Affenpinscher
- Boston Terrier
- Pomeranian
- Griffon Belge
- Griffon Bruxellois
- Japanese Spaniel
- Petit Brabancon
Who enforces the regulation regarding the breeding of short-snouted dogs?
The regulation regarding short-snouted dogs was not or barely enforced for a long time. This gave breeders every opportunity to continue their activities in this area "undisturbed." Since March 2019, this has come to an end with the announcement from the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality that these rules will actually be enforced.
The NVWA, the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, is responsible for enforcing the rules regarding breeding dogs with a short snout. The NVWA inspector carries out the inspection together with a veterinarian. They look at the dog's breathing in combination with the nose length. Breeders who ignore the legislation in this area risk a hefty fine. The NVWA has already issued several warnings to breeders for this.
Signs of BOAS (Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome) in dogs
A dog can have various complaints that can be traced back to BOAS (Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome). These dogs have a too short snout. The animals can have problems such as:
- The dog makes an abnormal (snorting, snoring, or saw-like) sound.
- The dog clearly struggles with (minor) exertion such as running or walking a longer distance.
- There is a narrowing of the nostrils.
- The dog has a nose fold.
- The hairs from the nose fold can touch the eyes.
- The proportion between the size of the skull and the snout is disproportionate according to the stoplight model.
- The white of the eye is visible when the dog looks straight ahead, the eye socket is shallow, the eyelids are rather loose, or the eyeball is poorly protected.
- The dog cannot fully close its eyes.
The right nutrition and care for your dog
For completeness, it is good to mention that not all breeders see generating income as a primary concern above the health of the dog itself. There are many breeders where you can find a healthy dog with a short snout. However, if you are not very familiar with this area (after all, you will not buy a dog every day), it is good to know what to look for as a consumer when making your choice for a four-legged friend that suits you.
After all, there are dog breeds that require special food or care. This is also the case for a number of breeds (with a snout length that meets the specified conditions) that we have mentioned in this article. Think, for example, of the need for exercise that Boxers have, the fact that an English Bulldog absolutely must not become too heavy, and the flatulence that French Bulldogs sometimes suffer from.
Of course, these kinds of “small problems” can be well resolved with good care and a carefully chosen diet. A diet that, for example, contains a lot of meat or fish is easily digestible and can make an excellent contribution to preventing overweight in the dog. Grain-free food is an excellent solution to help control flatulence in, for example, the French Bulldog. A professional dog breeder will be able to inform you extensively about this.
Regarding the right nutrition for your dog, you can of course also come to us. Prima Diervoeding is a provider of high-quality healthy food for dogs that is entirely composed on a natural basis. We have a very wide range of dog food for all breeds. Feel free to contact us if you have questions about which food is most suitable for your dog
