Research focus: Animal Welfare

While demand for brachycephalic dogs remains high, understanding whether the body shape of brachycephalic breeds can be refined to reduce the risk of conformation-related disease is of priority. RVC research in this area worked to identify conformational risk factors for common disorders, and define ‘healthy conformational limits’, thresholds beyond which the risk of disease becomes unacceptably high. 

These data are being used to promote breed reform, including promotion of moderate body shapes and revision of breed standards.

Key findings from this work include:

Risk factors for brachycephalic airway obstruction syndrome (BOAS) include reduced craniofacial ratio (muzzle length), increased neck girth and obesity. Dogs with muzzles less than half of the length of their cranium are at risk of BOAS, with the risk increasing exponentially as muzzles get shorter [1]

Risk factors for corneal ulcers include short craniofacial ratios (muzzles less than half the length of the cranium), the presence of nasal skin folds, wide eyelid openings and exposed sclera (eye white) [2]

Published Papers 

1. PACKER RMA, HENDRICKS A, & BURN CC (2015) Impact of facial conformation on canine health: Corneal ulceration. PLoS ONE 10(5): e0123827
2. PACKER RMA, HENDRICKS A, TIVERS MS & BURN CC (2015) Impact of facial conformation on canine health: Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome. PLoS ONE 10(10): e0137496
3. FARNWORTH MJ; CHEN R; PACKER RMA; CANEY S; GUNN-MOORE DA (2016) Flat feline faces: Is brachycephaly associated with respiratory abnormalities in the domestic cat. (Felis catus)? PLOS ONE 11(8): e0161777