What is the life expectancy of a brachycephalic dog?
Sasha Krajcik
2025-05-31 09:49:33
Count answers: 1
The lifespan of dogs with extreme brachycephalic conformation is shorter.
The lifespan of dogs with extreme brachycephalic conformation is shorter (8.6 years) than all other breeds of dogs (12.7 years).
HumaneVMA notes that upper respiratory disorders were the cause of death for 17% of dogs with extreme brachycephalic conformation (like pugs, bulldogs and French bulldogs) compared to 0% for all other breeds of dogs.
Clinical signs of BOAS can include: Dyspnea (difficulty breathing) Stertor (noisy breathing) Exercise intolerance (often leading to obesity, which shortens dogs’ lifespans further).
In some cases, the dogs’ quality of life can be improved through surgeries correcting anatomical abnormalities, but they may cost thousands of dollars.
Tissues from the mouth, windpipe and lungs are squashed into a smaller, enclosed space, so dogs struggle to breathe sufficient air and oxygen and their airways are narrow and twisted abnormally.
This can cause: Allergies Breathing problems (brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome or BOAS) Eye issues Difficulty exercising Heatstroke.
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