Although there are really three types of bulldogs, especially the French and English they are very popular and well-known. They are characterized by being extremely good-natured and funny, reasons that have made them two of the most popular and beloved dog breeds in the world.
But they not only stand out for their good nature, they also have some physical characteristics that are responsible for their funny appearance, but they also have other not so positive things like snoring. These are some of the dog breeds that snore the most. If you've ever wondered Why does my bulldog snore?, in this article our site explains the causes.
The anatomy of the bulldog respiratory system
The snoring they produce, as well as the characteristic noise that many make when breathing, are caused by characteristics that certain anatomical structures involved in breathing present and that are collectively known by the name of"brachycephalic syndrome"
To explain it in a way that is understandable, on the one hand, these animals have the narrower nostrils than they should, which that complicates the act of breathing, it is as if we were trying to breathe through a straw to drink soda. On the other hand, they have a soft palate (the back of the palate that extends to the uvula) that is longer than normal, which also makes breathing difficult.
In addition to the above, there may be other alterations such as tracheal hypoplasia (incomplete development of the trachea), or eversion of the tonsils and laryngeal ventricles.
It should be noted that brachycephalic syndrome is typical of bulldogs, but it can also appear in dogs of other breeds such as pugs, also called pugs, Pekingese, boxers, or Boston terriers, for example.
Genetic selection plays an important role
Although originally both the English bulldog and the French bulldog were short-nosed dogs, both breeds were selected for many years to enhance these characteristics, creating ever flatter specimens. The problem with this is that by having the nose shorter and shorter, respiratory problems, including snoring, were more common.
Fortunately, this trend has now been corrected, and in the standard for both breeds, which is a description of the characteristics they must meet to be registered as members of the same breed, emphasis is placed on the importance of correct respiratory function, to the detriment of merely aesthetic parameters
Thus, in the English bulldog standard it can be read that the face of this dog should only be relatively short and that specimens with respiratory problems are highly undesirable, while in the case of the French bulldog it is insists that the shape of the nose should allow normal breathing.
Other associated problems
Studies show that many digestive disorders of bulldogs are related to these respiratory problems, two examples being difficulty swallowing or gastritis (inflammation of the stomach) that some bulldogs suffer from.
This is caused, in part, because a soft palate longer than normal can already cause nausea, and, additionally, when breathing negative pressures are created in the chest that make emptying difficult stomach.
My dog snores when he sleeps, what can I do?
Despite these problems, bulldogs can lead a perfectly normal and happy life, you just have to keep in mind that these dogs are not prepared to develop high sports performance, soDo not force them to make extreme physical efforts that could end in fainting.
Physical exercise is also not recommended for these animals in summer, under the sun or at the hottest times of the day. In short, these animals make excellent companions, but anyone looking for a sporting dog should consider a greyhound.
Is it possible to prevent the snoring of a French or English bulldog?
Does your dog snore when he sleeps? There is a surgical treatment that is capable of correcting these problems, obtaining great results. The surgery in question consists of trimming the excess part of the soft palate and enlarging the nostrils.
The operation itself is not complicated at all, although, as these dogs already have compromised breathing and the intervention inflames these tissues, making it even more difficult, the animal must bemonitored during the postoperative period and sometimes a temporary tracheostomy must be performed to avoid complications.
The digestive problems that we have talked about also improve by improving breathing through these techniques. Consult your veterinarian to learn more about this technique and how to prevent snoring in an adult dog or a puppy dog.
