A veterinary expert is sounding the alarm for Canadian pet lovers, highlighting a severe health crisis among popular flat-faced dog breeds and raising profound ethical questions about their purchase and breeding.
The High Cost of "Cute": A Personal and Professional Crisis
The stark reality of owning a brachycephalic, or flat-faced, dog is often a heartbreaking series of vet visits and mounting bills. One veterinarian recounts purchasing a French bulldog puppy, prepared for the steep $5,000 price tag, only to face six vet visits, two surgeries, and multiple emergencies within the first year alone. This personal experience mirrors a professional nightmare.
In a recent, extreme case, a 3-year-old female French bulldog was presented with a partial duplication of her back end, including three legs and two vulvae. Suffering from failing bone marrow and a high risk of infection, she required a risky spay surgery. This is not an isolated incident but a symptom of what animal welfare advocates call "torture breeding"—selecting for infantile features like flat faces and wrinkly skin that predispose animals to life-threatening conditions.
Why Popularity Equals Suffering for Brachycephalic Breeds
Breeds like French Bulldogs, Pugs, and English Bulldogs have soared in popularity, driven by their convenient size, perceived low exercise needs, and celebrity endorsements. The French bulldog has been the most popular breed in the United States for three consecutive years. However, their adorable snorts and snores are signs of a serious medical condition: Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS).
This syndrome involves a combination of narrow nostrils, a malformed larynx, an overlong soft palate, and a narrow windpipe, leaving insufficient space for air to reach the lungs. This can lead to oxygen deprivation, collapse, and death. The problems extend far beyond breathing. These dogs are prone to:
- Sliding hiatal hernias and chronic regurgitation, risking fatal pneumonia.
- Severe spinal issues like slipped disks, leading to paralysis.
- Chronic skin, eye, urinary, and neurological disorders.
The story of a young English bulldog that died immediately after BOAS surgery from aspirating regurgitated food underscores the tragic and frequent outcomes.
A Global Movement for Change and What Canadian Owners Can Do
In response to this welfare crisis, legislative action is gaining momentum worldwide. Several European countries now restrict breeding of pets with "extreme conformational traits." Norway banned breeding Cavalier King Charles spaniels in 2023, while the Netherlands prohibits pedigrees for certain brachycephalic dogs. In March 2025, the European Parliament proposed a ban on breeding animals with harmful exaggerated features.
In North America, New Hampshire state Rep. Ellen Read introduced the first U.S. bill to ban breeding and sale of brachycephalic dogs and cats in 2024. That same year, Ojai, California, passed a law prohibiting breeding of dogs and cats with features likely to cause harm. Meanwhile, Britain launched the Innate Health Assessment tool in late 2024, which scores breeding dogs on healthy traits like muzzle length.
For Canadians considering a new pet, the advice is clear: Choose health over appearance. Prospective owners are urged to research breed-associated disorders thoroughly, consult with a veterinarian, and consider adopting a mixed-breed dog from a shelter. If set on a purebred, they should seek responsible breeders who prioritize health testing and conform to guidelines from organizations like the American Kennel Club, focusing on the long-term wellbeing of the animal rather than fleeting aesthetic trends.
