pug

Some people think your dog's excessive snorting is an endearing part of his personality. Yet you know your pooch is a mouth-breather because their stenotic nares (aka their nasal passages or nostrils) are too narrow. Fortunately, his nasal issue can be fixed by surgery. But what's the price of freer breathing?

Dear Eimer,

I am writing as a vet to express my concern over todays advert in the Sunday Business Post  featuring a brachycephalic (flat-faced) dog.

Flat faced breeds, including Pugs, French bulldogs and British bulldogs have boomed in popularity over recent years, fuelled by the media, celebrities and the use of these dogs in  advertising. However, these breeds struggle with serious and often life-limiting health problems.