Popular, Flat-faced Dogs at Risk for Harmful Brain Changes, New Study Finds

The French Bulldog is currently the most popular breed in the U.S., but all that cuteness may come at a cost. A new study finds that flat-faced pups, bred for their shortened skulls and large, round heads, often suffer from airway abnormalities, poor sleep quality, and changes in brain function.

In the study, 92 family dogs spent part of their day in a sleep lab where they underwent EEG brain scans. The results showed that flat-faced dogs napped more than other breeds, likely to compensate for insufficient sleep at night. Their brain waves during sleep were also different compared to dogs with longer noses, showing patterns linked to a loss of white matter and poorer learning abilities.

One researcher noted that flat-faced dogs appear to retain the sleep pattern of puppyhood. She suggests that breeding for brachycephalic heads likely leads to potentially harmful changes in brain function. Extremely flat-faced dogs live, on average, three to four years less than other breeds.