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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Lifestyle
Nicola Davis Science correspondent

‘Bulging skulls and protruding eyes’: Ten features dog owners should avoid

Dogs on leads
Breeds with flat faces, such as pugs and French bulldogs, face difficulty breathing and exercising. Photograph: MightyPics/Getty Images/iStockphoto

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.

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