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Pets

Brachycephalic animals

What does brachycephalic mean?

Brachycephalic means shortened head. There are lots of pets selected for this appearance and have short snouts and flat faces.

Flat-faced animals include:

  • Pugs
  • Brussels griffon
  • Bulldogs
  • French bulldogs
  • Boston Terriers
  • Boxers
  • Cavalier King Charles spaniel
  • Chow chows
  • Dogue De Bordeaux
  • Lhasa apso
  • Pekingese
  • Shih tzu
  • Persian cats 
  • British shorthair cats
  • Netherland Dwarf rabbits

Because of this extreme body shape, flat-faced animals have a much higher risk of developing numerous painful illnesses and diseases than others. Read more about the common health problems affecting flat-faced pets.

Find out more