Is it your imagination, or does your “brachy” dog have more problems than the Labradoodle next door? According to Nationwide Pet Insurance, you are not imagining it.
Let’s break it down:
A dog’s skull falls into one of three categories:
Dolichocephalic, mesaticephalic, or brachycephalic, as illustrated by the photo below.
Click to enlarge. Image can be found at http://www.onemedicine.tuskegee.edu
Brachycephalic (or “brachy”) dogs are those breeds with a flat, broad head. These breeds include —
- Affenpinscher
- Boston Terrier
- Boxer
- Brussels Griffon
- Bulldog breeds
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Japanese Chin
- Lhasa Apso
- Mastiff breeds
- Pekingese
- Pug
- ShihTzu
Nationwide Pet Insurance compared data for brachycephalic dog breeds versus dogs with longer skull types (dolichocephalic and mesaticephalic) and discovered that the dog breeds known for their flat, broad skulls showed a higher prevalence of certain diseases.
That means that more “brachy” dogs suffered the following conditions —
- otitis externa (ear infection)
- pyoderma (skin infection)
- atopic/allergic dermatitis
- conjunctivitis (eye infection)
- canine cystitis (bladder infection)
- anal gland impaction
- fungal skin disease
- malignant skin neoplasia (cancer)
- pneumonia
Does this mean you should stay away from “brachy” breeds? Not necessarily, as they can be very lovable and faithful companions.
But Norfolk veterinarian Dr. Donald Miele agrees that it does mean owners of those breeds should be aware of the greater likelihood of health problems, and that veterinary pet insurance is a worthy investment for owners of “brachy” breeds.
Learn more about Nationwide Pet Insurance
This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, or suggest treatment or cure for any disease.
Your pet’s veterinarian is the best source of information on your pet’s health.
