A puppy for Christmas is of course very nice. But be careful if you have your eye on a French bulldog.

The French bulldog is a small, sturdy and muscular dog. He has a lively character and is a real people friend, who also gets along well with children in most cases. So it’s super fun to surprise your son or daughter with a sweet puppy for Christmas. But in that case, read on. Because if you give a French bulldog as a gift, it could easily entail high veterinary costs later on.

Health conditions

Characteristic for the French bulldog is the flat and wide nose. And unfortunately therein lies the problem. Because researchers come in a new study to discover that, compared to other dog breeds, French bulldogs are more likely to suffer from 20 common health conditions due to their typically shorter muzzle and flat head.

The flat nose and head of a French Bulldog. Image: Alexia Bianchini via Pexels

In the study, the researchers compared 43 specific health conditions among 2,781 French bulldogs with 21,850 other dog breeds. And the findings show that French bulldogs are at significantly higher risk for things like narrow nostrils, brachycephalic airway obstruction syndrome (a condition that can lead to severe respiratory distress in dogs and cats with short noses) and dermatitis (a chronic inflammation of the skin). .

Surprising

For researcher Dan O’Neill, French bulldogs’ increased risk of these health conditions is no surprise. “What that is is to finally have a full list at our disposal and see how high the risks are,” he told Scientias.nl. “For example, a French bulldog is 11 times more likely to develop dermatitis than other dog breeds. In addition, the chance of a difficult birth is nine times greater and they are four times more likely to develop corneal infections. This is a frighteningly high disposition, mainly due to their flattened snouts that people find so attractive.”

flattened snouts

Indeed, because the reason French bulldogs are more likely to have 20 common health conditions is because of the shape of their heads. “The extremely flattened skull is a feature of the breed that has been linked to several common health problems at the same time,” explains O’Neill. “The breed’s shortened muzzle means that the soft tissue in the nostrils and throat is folded, leading to breathing problems. The skin on the outside of the skull is also folded, so infections in these skin folds are common. In addition, the eye sockets are shallower, which means that the eyeballs are more open, making them more prone to eye disease. Finally, the large skull of puppies, coupled with the narrow pelvis of the mother, is why French bulldogs are more likely to experience difficulties during childbirth.”

To breed

Despite all these inconveniences, French bulldogs are still too often bred with extreme physical characteristics. Something that is also not so easy to change. “When a breed has been around for decades and people have fallen in love with their extreme body shape, changing the public perception of what a healthy animal should look like is a real challenge,” O’Neill explains. “In addition, French bulldogs often have a sweet disposition and people even seem to like their noisy breathing, which is why this breed is in high demand.”

Not just bad news

Incidentally, O’Neill emphasizes that the situation is not all bad with French bulldogs. The same study found that French bulldogs have a lower chance of being diagnosed with 11 of the 43 common conditions studied. For example, they exhibit undesirable behavior less often, they are also less likely to become lame and suffer less from obesity. “These results show that there are also several health benefits of the French bulldog,” says O’Neill. “I think this is very important to mention and it gives a fairer picture of the overall health of the breed. So it’s not all bad news.”

“Stop and think before you buy a dog with a flat muzzle”

Moderate Characteristics

Still, according to O’Neill, it would be good if a shift occurs. From French bulldogs with too extreme and flattened muzzles, to dogs with much more moderate features. The greatest responsibility for this rests with future owners. Because their question ultimately determines what kind of dog is being bred. In addition, you can of course also choose a completely different dog breed. “Stop and think before you buy a dog with a flat muzzle,” emphasizes O’Neill. “There are over 200 other varieties to choose from. Why not give another dog, without extreme physical features, a loving home?”

If you really really want a French bulldog, pay attention to which dog you buy. “Try to find a French bulldog with the most moderate body shape,” advises O’Neill. “This one has the longest possible snout and a tail that can wag its tail. Also check whether the parents have been tested for their breathing and whether they have achieved good results.” Because this is the only way to know better whether you are bringing a ‘healthy’ dog into your home and whether you will not be stuck with sky-high vet bills in a few years’ time.