Some designer dogs turn out to be ‘tortured breeds’

Not all dog breeds are created equal. Certain breeds have myriad health problems, including sleep apnea, retching, and eye problems due to misshapen skulls. Photo: 123rf.com

All caring guardians want the same thing for our dogs: A long, healthy, happy life. But even with excellent care, certain breeds are more likely to have you trekking to the vet’s office than to the dog park. While all “purebred” dogs are predisposed to genetic conditions that cause discomfort and disability, one group stands out from the rest.

Dogs who have been bred (and typically inbred) to have the flat faces that the American Kennel Club and some social media influencers tout as desirable are afflicted by an uncomfortable, debilitating and sometimes fatal condition called brachycephalic syndrome. In short, it means that their disfigured snouts and constricted airways leave them struggling just to breathe.