From Pekingese and Pugs to Shih Tzus and French and English Bulldogs, breeds with flat faces and brachycephalic skulls have been shaped for decades by human fascination with childhood traits, often to the detriment of the animals’ health. The history of these conformations is not a recent impulse, however, as suggested by an archaeological study published in 2023 which highlights that the first dogs with short snouts were already known in ancient Rome, confirming that our aesthetic obsession goes back a long way.
However, the problems linked to this extreme morphology are not just anecdotal. THE breathing difficulties, eye, dermatological and joint problems They are common and well documented, affecting their quality of life. For decades, scientific evidence has demonstrated that, despite their uniquely adorable appearance, these dogs come with a physiological price to pay for their appearance.
Therefore, any initiative aimed at reversing the normalization of these distortions is progress, even if carried out country by country. In the United Kingdom, a parliamentary group dedicated to animal welfare recently launched a voluntary health assessment instrument for brachycephalic dog breeds, marking a step that could inspire similar policies elsewhere and, above all, open an essential debate on responsible breeding and prioritizing health over aesthetics.
Origin and evolution of brachycephalic dogs
Brachycephalic dogs, characterized by a very short muzzle and a rounded skull, have roots dating back to several regions of Eurasia. Archaeological and genetic research indicates that some short-snouted specimens existed as early as Roman times and that these traits were maintained through selective breeding until they became distinctive marks of certain breeds. However, modern brachycephals, as we know them today, are the result of a much more recent breeding process, centered in Europe and the United States over the past two centuries.
In this modern breeding, priority was given to appearance over functionality, establishing characteristics such as large heads, prominent eyes, marked skin folds, and extremely short muzzles, considered attractive to the human eye. However, specialists warn that this morphology leads to chronic respiratory problems, a predisposition to eye and skin infections, as well as complications of thermoregulation and anesthesia.
On the other hand, the pressure for continued reproduction has always been supported by the pet market and popular culturewith film and television reinforcing the perception that a flat snout and bulging eyes are synonymous with cuteness, which in turn fuels demand. This visual and emotional bias, called neotenyhas led to a normalization of extreme conformations, despite scientific evidence highlighting the risks to their health.
Voluntary health screening in the UK
In an attempt to mitigate the harm resulting from extreme aesthetics, the United Kingdom introduced a voluntary health screening program for brachycephalic breeds, called Innate Health Assessment (IHA). The tool measure ten lines including muzzle length, eye position and shape, presence of excessive wrinkles, bite type and breathing. To be considered suitable for breeding, dogs must meet at least eight of these criteriathus reducing the selection of deformities that compromise your well-being.
This program was promoted by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Animal Welfare (APGAW), a UK all-party group focused on animal welfare policies. Their goal is to launch a revolution in responsible breeding, by encouraging breeders to prioritize health over appearance. According to experts like Alexander Trees, a veterinarian and co-chair of the group, the trend toward extreme conformations is likely “the most chronic and widespread wellness problem” in the United Kingdom, and yet it persists in a country which considers itself to be a guarantor of animal rights.
Although the assessment is voluntary, some experts view it as a positive step. However, they also point out that only a minority of breeders are registered with the British Kennel Club, so its real impact will depend on the membership of unregulated private breeders, who account for the majority of production of these breeds. During the pandemic, the explosive demand for puppies has exacerbated indiscriminate breeding, with results that have generated veterinary saturation and predictable health complications in these dogs.
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