Popularity of small dog breeds leading to health complications and reduced quality of life

A rise in popularity of small dog breeds in Australia is leading to an increase in health issues among the pets.

Demand is high for dog breeds with short, wide heads, according to a study published by researchers from the University of Sydney in the Journal of Canine Genetics and Epidemiology today.

These breeds, including pugs and French and British Bulldogs, are known as brachycephalic dogs, and are susceptible to chronic, life-long problems.

The dogs face breathing issues, can suffer from skin and eye conditions and some have digestive problems.

As the dogs become more popular, they in turn are bred and traded at greater numbers. They are bred specifically to enhance their most popular features, increasing the chances of complications and lowering their quality of life.

University of Sydney researchers said veterinarians need to be ready for a jump in the number of cases of diseased dogs which will come in over the coming years.

Dr Julia Crawford from the Australian Veterinary Association said there has already been a notable increase in such cases.

“We’re seeing a lot of dogs with very, very tiny nostrils, they have a very long soft palate and they often have laryngeal problems,” she told ABC News.

“That means that’s that they have consistent upper airway obstruction.

“They also get squished up more and more and this leads to chronic skin infections around the skin and eyes.”

Dr Crawford said the health issues can radically reduce the dogs’ quality of life and life expectancy.

Honorary Associate Professor from the University of Sydney’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Max Zuber, said the small dog breeds are becoming more popular because Australians are downsizing their lifestyles.

As people move into smaller homes, without backyards, they’re forced to buy smaller dogs to accommodate their circumstances.

Mr Zuber said he believes people also think they do not have to exercise brachycephalic dogs because of their breathing problems.

“(Dog owners) think ‘well I can have that because I don’t have the time to exercise it and it can’t exercise anyway’,” he said.