Welfare experts say people need to choose pets with natural body shapes so their health doesn’t suffer
Would-be dog owners should avoid bulging skulls, protruding eyes and shortened twisted legs and instead opt for a naturally healthy body shape, an international team of experts has urged.
The health and welfare implications of extreme canine body forms has become a pressing issue, with experts repeatedly warning of the myriad problems faced by breeds with flat faces – from breathing challenges to difficulties exercising and giving birth.
Flat-faces
Large and protruding eyes
Shortened, twisted legs
Facial or body skin folds
Lack of tail
A clearly overshot or undershot jaw
A disproportionately broad head and shoulders
Eyelids turned in or out
A bulging or domed skull
A sloped back with an excessively low rear end and excessively flexed hind legs
