It’s hard not to love a cute, flat-faced dog with big, soulful eyes. Flat-faced or “brachycephalic” refers to any breed with a shorter skull and a flat face that gives the dog a snub-nosed or “smushed” appearance. As much as you may love them, brachycephalic breeds also have some unique traits that can require some extra attention and care. It’s important to be aware of these so you are prepared to provide the best care possible. Here’s what to know about flat-faced dogs before bringing one home:

1. They Are Extra Sensitive to Heat

Brachycephalic breeds have a harder time managing in the heat. All dogs are sensitive to heat, but these dogs cannot cool themselves down as well as other dogs through panting and have a harder time regulating their body temperature.

This makes them extra sensitive to heat and more prone to overheating. This also puts them at a higher risk of heatstroke. Heatstroke in dogs is serious and dangerous, so it’s important to keep your dog out of the heat when you can and take precautions to keep your dog cool when you are outside with them during hotter weather.

2. You Need to Be Cautious About Overexertion

Because these dogs are more sensitive to heat, they are also more prone to overexertion and exhaustion. This doesn’t mean that brachycephalic breeds aren’t athletic; there are plenty of brachycephalic dogs that compete in several popular dog sports. This just means that you need to be more mindful of how you are exercising them.

There are plenty of safe ways to exercise flat-faced dogs, like monitoring the weather, playing inside when it makes sense to do so, working in short bursts, and taking breaks. This can help you make sure that your dog gets the activity they need without overexerting or overheating them.

3. Their Wrinkles and Skin Folds Need Proper Cleaning

Although many dogs can have facial wrinkles and skin folds, these features tend to be more common in snub-nosed breeds. This also means that flat-faced dogs tend to have more sensitive skin.

Dirt and debris can build up in these areas. If they are not monitored and cleaned properly, skin can become irritated and could develop some common skin problems in dogs. It’s important to regularly check these areas and clean them when needed to keep your dog healthy and feeling comfortable.

Bathing when needed with products formulated for dogs with sensitive skin is a good start. Outside of baths and regular grooming, you can use gentle wipes to clean facial wrinkles and skin folds. Also, make sure these areas are dried well.

4. Big Eyes Can Be Injured More Easily

Snub-nosed breeds often have large, soulful eyes, which fans of them absolutely adore. When it comes to caring for a flat-faced dog, it’s important to also care for their eyes. With more surface area exposed to the air, their eyes may water more, which can lead to tear stains in dogs. Unless there are other signs of issues, this just means you may need to also clean up around their eyes when you are checking and cleaning facial wrinkles.

Large eyes also mean that these dogs can get eye injuries more easily. Usually, this is just irritation from dust, air, etc., but it also means being aware during play and other situations to make sure there is nothing around that could scratch or otherwise injure your flat-faced dog’s big, soulful eyes. This is one of the things to consider before letting your dog play in leaf piles, for example.

5. Flat-Faced Dogs Are Likely to Snore and Grunt

Because flat-faced dogs have shorter snouts and tend to be smaller dogs, they also tend to have shorter esophagi and short soft palates. This contributes to their heat sensitivity and increased risk of overexertion, and it also makes them more likely to snore and grunt.

If you notice noisy or heavy breathing beyond what seems normal, it could be a case of respiratory abnormalities, which is referred to as brachycephalic airway syndrome (BAS) or brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS). If you suspect this, you will want to talk to your vet to rule out other potential causes and then discuss some options to help your dog.

6. Allergies and Respiratory Infections Are More Intense

Because of the snub nose and short snout, flat-faced dogs will experience respiratory issues more intensely than other dogs. They may not necessarily be more prone to them per se, but when they experience allergies or upper respiratory infections, the symptoms they experience will be a bit harder on them.

Being sick is hard on any dog, especially senior dogs, but flat-faced breeds and senior flat-faced breeds tend to have a harder time. If your dog is dealing with allergies, you can talk to your vet about medication or how else to best help them.

7. They Can Have Sensitive Stomachs

Brachycephalic breeds can also have sensitive stomachs. Individual dogs will vary, but many flat-faced breeds don’t tend to handle dairy well. They can also experience acid reflux and regurgitation, especially if dogs eat too fast or are too active after eating.

Other dogs have these reactions too, but flat-faced dogs are more prone to them and more sensitive to them. If it becomes a recurring issue for your flat-faced dog and slowing down their eating and managing their activity doesn’t seem to help, talk to your vet for other options and to make sure there isn’t something else going on.

Many brachycephalic dog owners joke about their dog’s gastrointestinal antics. They can’t help it, but in addition to snoring, many brachycephalic breeds are also known for their gas. It’s more of a running joke and a reference to many brachycephalic breeds having sensitive stomachs, but it’s something you will want to consider, especially if you’re still figuring out whether to share your bed with your dog.

This is just an overview of what to know about flat-faced dogs before bringing one home. These dogs make great companions and have a lot of love to give. Every dog is different and some dogs have unique features that require a little extra attention and care. With the right knowledge and care, you can ensure your flat-faced friend leads a healthy and happy life with you!