The Expert Suggests: Keep an Eye On This!

We love them because they look absolutely wonderful. But how are they really? Now veterinarians and the Swedish Kennel Club and others are raising the issue of dogs with extreme looks, like the blunt-nosed ones.

– A dog should never sound when it breathes, then something is wrong,
says Helena Skarp at SKK.

Helena Skarp suggests: KEEP AN EYE ON THIS!

You who already have a dog

• Be aware of the problems that may occur in the breed you have.
• If your dog sounds a lot when he is breathing, check with a veterinarian – it may need surgery in some cases.

You who want to buy a dog, regardless of breed or mixed breed

• Keep an eye on the breeder, so that you do not buy a smuggled dog.
• Look at the parents to see their characteristics as adult dogs. Is the skin on the face so heavy that it hangs down in the eyes, for example?
• Listen for breathing. It is not normal for dogs to sound when they breathe – regardless of breed.
• Look at the nostrils – if they are very pinched (small opening) it can be a risk factor, a sign of impaired breathing.
• Check the eyes so that they are not red and/or runny.
• Check the skin so that it is not red and inflamed. Pay attention to whether the dog itches a lot.
• Check that the dog is not lame.

Here are more examples of how tough exterior looks can affect dogs’ health:

• Very large dogs can have problems when the skeleton grows too fast. Joint problems can appear as early as 4-6 months of age.
• Dogs with shrunken legs are more likely to get herniated discs. Two out of three dogs affected by this are dachshunds.
• Blunt-nosed (brachycephalic breeds) can have breathing problems that can actually turn out to be stomach problems, such as dog vomiting.
• Eye problems affect both blunt noses and toy breeds. Sometimes the eyes do not get enough protection. It can have several different explanations – the lower lid can be too immobile and skin folds can also “rub” on the eye, for example.
• Excessive skin folds and loose skin can lead to infections which in turn can cause ulcers.
• The characteristic of the ridgeback – “ridge” is in fact a sign of a mutation that makes the breed extra exposed to the disease dermoid sinus.
• Large skulls in combination with narrow pelvis mean that some females can not give birth to their own puppies but must give birth by caesarean section.