BREEDING & HEALTH


"Allergies and skin conditions are health issues that are commonly found in the French Bulldog. Issues affecting the skeleton and joints, such as back problems and patellar luxation, also occur. The French Bulldog is a brachycephalic breed, meaning it has a shortened skull and muzzle. If the muzzle is excessively short and/or the nostrils are narrow, respiratory function and the ability to regulate temperature are affected. An excessively shortened muzzle combined with large or protruding eyes also increases the risk of eye injuries." Source: SKK (The Swedish Kennel Club)

"If the muzzle is excessively short and/or the nostrils are narrow, respiratory function and the ability to regulate temperature are affected"

Our interpretation of this is that the majority of French Bulldogs have an excessively short muzzle, since the majority experience issues with their respiratory function or their ability to regulate temperature.

This is something we take extremely seriously; these dogs suffer and cannot live a life with dignity. It is deeply distressing both for the dog and for the owner who has to witness this suffering.

BREATHING

It has escaped no one's attention that French Bulldogs suffer from breathing issues. As of January 1, 2025, it is a requirement to conduct BOAS grading according to the RFG Scheme on all breeding dogs In Sweden.

One major cause of these breathing difficulties is the soft palate, located between the nasal cavity and the pharynx. It is often too long, loose, and thickened—a condition that worsens over time.

Respiratory issues in French Bulldogs are caused by a combination of anatomical factors that affect their airway system. It is important to understand that these problems are not solely about the length of the muzzle, but rather about the overall symmetry of the dog's body.

For instance, if a dog has an extremely short neck but a longer muzzle, it can still suffer from severe breathing difficulties due to how the airways are shaped and how they interact with the rest of the anatomy. Other examples include narrow nostrils or a hypoplastic (narrowed) trachea, which can worsen the issues regardless of muzzle length. Therefore, focusing exclusively on a single part of the dog's anatomy is misleading.

Generally speaking, a leaner and more "elongated" body type in French Bulldogs is often more beneficial for their breathing than an extremely compact and compressed body shape. A balanced anatomy, where the airways have sufficient space to function normally, contributes to a better quality of life and reduces the risk of issues such as oxygen deprivation, snoring, and overheating.


BOAS GRADING ACCORDING TO THE RFG SCHEME

Do you have a French Bulldog that will not be used for breeding? Get a BOAS grading anyway. It is highly valuable for statistics and helps guide future breeding decisions, even if your specific dog is not bred from. Additionally, it gives you clear information on what grade of BOAS your dog has, and whether any treatment is required.

The RFG Scheme is a method used to assess breathing and perform BOAS grading. This health scheme is specially developed for Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, and Pugs.

The objective of the respiratory health scheme through BOAS grading under the RFG Scheme is to improve overall health and reduce the prevalence of breathing problems in Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, and Pugs. It provides dog owners with vital information on whether their dog is affected by BOAS.

What is BOAS?

Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) means that the dog experiences difficulty breathing because the soft tissues in the muzzle and throat are too large for the available space within the airways.

What is the RFG Scheme?

The Respiratory Function Grading Scheme (RFG Scheme) is a clinical method used to assess the respiratory health and severity of BOAS in dogs. The RFG Scheme was developed by the University of Cambridge in collaboration with The Kennel Club.

Grade 0

The dog is clinically unaffected and currently free from respiratory difficulties due to BOAS. Because BOAS can develop later in life, it is recommended that the dog is assessed multiple times throughout its lifetime. (NOTE: If the dog has severely pinched [nostrils], a BOAS 0 score does not matter—a breeding ban still applies. My personal opinion is that 1/1 or moderate/moderate should not be combined.)

Grade 1

The dog is clinically unaffected but shows mild respiratory difficulties linked to BOAS. These symptoms do not affect the dog's performance during exercise. Because BOAS can develop later in life, it is recommended that the dog is assessed multiple times throughout its lifetime. (BOAS 1 still indicates symptoms of BOAS, meaning mild respiratory difficulties, which is not desirable but is permitted for breeding if paired with a BOAS 0).

Grade 2

The dog is moderately clinically affected and experiences moderate respiratory difficulties due to BOAS. They should be monitored and may require veterinary treatment. Breeding is prohibited.

Grade 3

The dog is severely clinically affected and experiences severe respiratory difficulties due to BOAS. A dog with BOAS Grade 3 should be thoroughly examined and treated by a veterinarian. Breeding is prohibited.

Do not normalize snoring; dogs snore due to an obstruction in their airways.

A dog's snoring is always rooted in the fact that air cannot flow completely freely when the dog breathes—meaning it constitutes some degree of respiratory difficulty. However, there is a difference between temporary snoring, or snoring that only occurs in a certain sleeping position. On the other hand, regular snoring or snorting sounds should never be considered normal.

A brachycephalic/short-nosed dog has the same anatomical structures as a "normal dog," but crammed into a much smaller space. In a French Bulldog, the soft palate is often far too long and obstructs the throat with every single breath. Having pinched nostrils is like constantly having a cold (imagine being completely congested in both nostrils), while trying to breathe through a straw and having to gasp for air with every breath.

A shorter neck means a higher risk of BOAS

What the BOAS grading actually assesses is whether the dog can run for three minutes without developing labored breathing (inspiratory effort), stertor, stridor, cyanosis, and/or fainting. This means that even if a dog scores a BOAS 0, it does not automatically mean the dog can regulate its temperature as well as a dog with normal anatomy.

Please note that it is not possible to listen for these respiratory sounds in puppies, as the conditions have not yet developed.

PATELLAR LUXATION


Patellar luxation means that the kneecap (patella) can shift (luxate) out of its normal position in the knee joint—in other words, it slips out of place.

Grading of patellar luxation is scored on a scale from 0 to 3 as follows:

  • Grade 0: Normally positioned patella that cannot be luxated.

  • Grade 1: The patella can be manually luxated but spontaneously returns to its normal position.

  • Grade 2: The patella can be luxated both manually and spontaneously, and may remain luxated.

  • Grade 3: The patella is permanently luxated.

EYES 

  • We breed for a slightly longer muzzle—a "moderate muzzle"—which has a highly positive impact on the eyes. Because the eyes become less protruding, the risk of eye problems is significantly reduced.

  • We conduct DNA testing for the hereditary eye disease HSF4 (Hereditary Cataracts).

A longer muzzle is advantageous for both breathing and avoiding eye issues. When dogs sniff, they put their heads all the way down to the ground. They get so close to the dirt that it is almost unavoidable for grass, sticks, or debris to brush against their face. Having a muzzle that sticks out acts as a natural shield, whereas protruding eyes on a flat face have no protection at all.

Notice how much of a difference a defined muzzle makes to the eyes 

SPINE 

We strive for a slightly longer and more flexible back, along with a slightly longer tail to reduce the risk of back problems.

The tail is an extension of the spine. Many French Bulldogs today are completely tailless, which contributes to a lot of back issues and is not in line with the breed standard. The tail should be mobile; the dog must be able to wag or wiggle its tail.

The more calcified discs a dog has, the higher the risk of a herniated disc (slipped disc). However, there are dogs with numerous calcifications that still never suffer from a herniated disc. For example, physically strong, lean, and well-conditioned dogs have a lower risk of developing a herniated disc, despite having multiple calcified discs. 

THE DVL2 GENE & SPINAL HEALTH

The majority of French Bulldogs carry a mutation called DVL2. Among other things, the DVL2 gene causes the dog to have a screw tail or kinked tail, which unfortunately also contributes to a malformed spine.

Dogs can carry the DVL2 mutation but still have a normal spine. This is because the gene has incomplete penetrance, meaning that even if a dog carries the DVL2 mutation, not all individuals will display symptoms. Consequently, one dog with the DVL2 gene may show no symptoms at all, while another dog with the exact same gene may experience more pronounced issues.

Penetrance Explained:

  • Complete penetrance means that a single gene always results in the development of the condition/disease.

  • Incomplete penetrance occurs when an individual carrying the disease-causing gene/genotype does not always develop the condition.

X-rays (radiographs) can be used to identify potential structural or genetic abnormalities in the spine, helping to reduce the risk of hereditary conditions. However, while X-rays can reveal certain genetic or structural anomalies, they offer no guarantee that the puppies will be completely free of problems.

Unfortunately, this means that even if both parents have a healthy spine, it does not guarantee that the puppies will have a healthy spine. The only way to almost guarantee a healthy spine is to breed dogs that carry only one copy of the gene. This is incredibly difficult, as 100% of the French Bulldogs tested in a specific study (79 dogs) all carried two copies of the mutation.

A French Bulldog with a kinked tail carries the DVL2 gene. Even though a limited number of French Bulldogs were tested in this particular study, it can be estimated that there are very few exceptions that do not carry two copies. Unfortunately, it is not as simple as just breeding from those rare exceptions, as doing so would lead to severe and detrimental inbreeding. The pioneering work currently being done in Finland will be incredibly important moving forward, as outcrossing (crossbreeding) programs are being introduced to eventually phase out the DVL2 gene, among other issues.

Fortunately, the DVL2 gene does not have complete penetrance. Our long-term goal is, of course, to breed dogs with only one copy or no copies of the DVL2 gene. However, the challenges mentioned above are absolutely no reason to skip X-ray screening.

HIPS

Hip dysplasia (HD) is a hereditary disease that affects the hip joints in dogs. Many larger dog breeds have mandatory requirements for hip X-rays, as a heavier dog puts greater stress and load on poor hips. However, this does not mean that smaller dog breeds are unaffected. Hip dysplasia is one of the most painful hereditary health conditions that can afflict a dog and negatively impact its quality of life.

A dog's hip joints are crucial for its mobility and general well-being. A sound and healthy hip joint is characterized by the ball fitting smoothly, snugly, and correctly into a deep hip socket:

  • The Femoral Head (The Ball): This is the upper, ball-shaped end of the thigh bone (femur) that fits into the hip socket.

  • The Hip Socket: This is the concave area in the pelvic bone where the ball should sit stably.

When issues like hip dysplasia are present, the ball and the socket do not fit together as they should. This laxity (looseness) creates instability in the joint, which in turn can lead to pain, inflammation, joint wear and tear, and reduced mobility.