Smushed Faced Dogs

Boxer

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These are intelligent dogs who love the company of people.  They have the classic brachycephalic head, one common to all smushed faced dogs, but their muzzle is a bit longer.  Brachycephalic meaning the head is broad and short, a condition in dogs that some people are attracted to, even though these breeds are often riddled with health problems due to their facial structure.  These dogs should actually have underbites. 

Boston Terrier

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As you might suspect these dogs were bred by crossing Bulldogs (below) with terriers.  Their temperament is more like a terrier, in that they are active, but can be stubborn like a bulldog. They were originally much larger than they are now, as they were intended to be used for fighting.  Interestingly enough they are also more prone to being flatulant, that is to say, they often have gas.

Bulldog

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These are broad dogs best known for their facial expression.  They are a fairly docile breed but can run surprisingly fast for short spurts.   They are considered stubborn and lower on some intelligence lists but many people find them to be excellent pets.  They are fairly non-aggressive.  Their large heads often mean veterinary assistance is required for whelping. 

French Mastiff

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Although this breed does not have a terribly smushed face, it is certainly a breed with such a special face it needs to be on this list. Lulu is a French Mastiff, a strong and powerful breed, they are often used as guard animals for flocks of animals and castles. Any time a dog has a face with extra skin wrinkles special care must be given to keep these areas dry or yeast can easily build up, resulting in awful smells.

Pekingese

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The correct term for dogs who have short broad heads is brachycephalic. A Pekingese is a perfect example of such. Many of these dogs have breathing problems, and may develop a health condition known as Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome. Pekinese are in fact an ancient breed, one that originally had much shorter hair than is in favor now.  Like most short faced dogs they should not be left out as the short noses do not give the air a chance to warm up or cool down before entering their lungs (as it would in a longer nosed dog).  This means they are less tolerant of cold or hot weather. 

Pug

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Not everyone agrees that these small short-haired dogs are cute.  Yet they remain one of the more common smushed faced breeds.  In addition to breathing problems they often experience problems with their eyes.  They are generally thought of as fun small dogs, often better with children than some of the other small dog breeds.  The skin creases need extra care.  The curve in their tail is a genetic condition which often sees spinal deformities in these short-faced breeds.

Shih Tzu

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Often mispronounced, and misspelled, the Shih Tzu is probably the most popular of the short faced dog breeds.  They have long coats that require regular maintenance including daily brushing to prevent painful tangles.  Some owners will train their dog to drink out of a water bottle rather than a bowl as a way of keeping their face dry to prevent yeast build up.  They have fairly good personalities and require less exercise than most breeds, although they should still be walked, they do not require mile long runs like some more active breeds. 

Health Problems

We already mentioned these breeds are more at risk in hot or cold weather, but they are prone to other health concerns too.

All dogs have 42 teeth, regardless of mouth size.  As such they often have teeth jutting out at odd angles, some will need teeth pulled.

The big heads of these dogs means they often have problems delivering and caesarian sections are not uncommon.

Shallow eye sockets mean the eyes are more at risk of popping out if the dog is hit in the head. 

Without a long nose to keep the dog away from bumping into things, more injuries are often done to their eyes.

Small nasal openings may need surgery.

The dogs may be out of breath with only small exertion.

In some dogs, particularly Bulldogs, prolonged barking or panting can cause a swelling in their throat, which will lead to major breathing problems. 

Their windpipes may be narrow.

Some airlines refuse to ship these kinds of dogs, particularly if the temperatures are cold or hot at the arrival destination.