PetCarePulse

It's not just the French bulldog and pug.

19 Flat-Faced Dog Breeds and How to Care For Them

Flat-faced, smushed-snouted, brachycephalic, short-nosed—whatever you call them, these flat-faced dog breeds are known for their distinct skull shapes and facial features. These beloved breeds may also snore, have exercise and heat limitations, and are prone to breathing complications. Here’s everything you need to know about these 19 flat-faced dog breeds and how to care for their unique health challenges.

Breed Characteristics

Flat-faced dogs have brachycephalic airway syndrome. According to VCA Animal Hospitals, brachycephalic dogs have shortened skull bones, leading to their smushed-in facial features. Issues associated with these features include:

Narrowed or small nostrils
Elongated soft palate
Extended nasopharyngeal turbinates
Laryngeal (voice box) collapse
Smaller-than-normal trachea

Pet parents can manage these issues by maintaining a healthy weight for their dog, avoiding hot and humid weather, reducing strenuous exercise, and in some cases, opting for surgery.

1. French Bulldog

The French Bulldog, America’s most popular dog in 2022 and 2023, is loved for its compact size, corkscrew tail, and flat face. This playful, friendly, and loyal breed often faces breathing, back, and tail issues requiring veterinary care.

Group: Non-sporting
Height: 11-13 inches
Weight: 19-28 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Playful, friendly, loyal
Energy Level: Medium
Coat and Color: Short and smooth, brindle, fawn, white, or combinations of brindle and white or fawn and white
Life Span: 10-12 years

2. Pug

Originating in China, the Pug is a small, compact, and sturdy breed known for its curly tail and smushed face. Affectionate, sweet-tempered, and playful, Pugs are popular for their low-maintenance care, though they may need surgery to ease breathing.

Group: Toy
Height: 10-13 inches
Weight: 14-18 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Affectionate, sweet-tempered, playful
Energy Level: Medium
Coat and Color: Short and smooth, fawn with a black face mask or all black
Life Span: 13-15 years

3. Shih Tzu

The Shih Tzu, originating in Tibet, is known for its long, flowing fur and flat face with an adorable underbite. These friendly, intelligent, and playful dogs are considered hypoallergenic and require regular grooming.

Group: Toy
Height: 8-11 inches
Weight: 9-16 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Friendly, intelligent, playful
Energy Level: Medium
Coat and Color: Long and straight, found in nearly any color, commonly black, white, blue, gold, liver, or combinations
Life Span: 10-16 years

4. English Bulldog

The English Bulldog, larger than the French Bulldog, is a broad-shouldered breed with a flat face. They often have breathing issues due to stenotic nares and elongated soft palates, along with skin and eye disorders.

Group: Non-sporting
Height: 14-15 inches
Weight: 40-50 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Willful, friendly, gregarious
Energy Level: Medium
Coat and Color: Short and smooth, red, white, fawn, or fallow, with various patterns and markings
Life Span: 8-10 years

5. Japanese Chin

The Japanese Chin, with its small size and long hair, has a cute smushed face and is an active breed that enjoys walks. They are affectionate and friendly once they warm up to new people and pets.

Group: Toy
Height: 8-11 inches
Weight: 4-9 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Alert, loyal, loving
Energy Level: Medium
Coat and Color: Long and straight, black and white; lemon and white; sable and white; red and white; black, white, and tan
Life Span: 10-14 years

6. Brussels Griffon

Brussels Griffons are small dogs with big personalities and smarts. Known for their active, friendly, and stubborn nature, they come with a classic beard and require careful monitoring to prevent overheating due to their narrow nostrils.

Group: Toy
Height: 7-10 inches
Weight: 8-12 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Active, playful, loyal
Energy Level: Medium
Coat and Color: Smooth or rough, short to medium, red, black and tan, solid black, or belge
Life Span: 12-15 years

7. Boston Terrier

The Boston Terrier, an active American breed, resembles the French Bulldog but with longer, more slender legs. These affectionate and playful dogs are great family pets with a hefty dose of energy.

Group: Non-sporting
Height: 15-17 inches
Weight: 12-25 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Affectionate, friendly, playful
Energy Level: Medium to High
Coat and Color: Short and smooth, various combinations of black, brindle, seal, and white
Life Span: 11-13 years

8. Affenpinscher

Known as the “monkey dog,” the Affenpinscher is a toy breed with a flat face and a scruffy appearance. Fearless despite their size, they are lively and friendly but need careful monitoring in high-heat environments.

Group: Toy
Height: 9-11.5 inches
Weight: 7-10 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Lively, fearless, friendly
Energy Level: Medium
Coat and Color: Wiry, short to medium, black, black and silver, black and tan, belge, red with a black mask
Life Span: 12-15 years

9. Boxer

Boxers are popular family dogs known for their friendly and outgoing personalities. Originating in Germany, they are active, goofy, and thrive with positive reinforcement training.

Group: Working
Height: 21-25 inches
Weight: 50-80 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Active, affectionate, playful
Energy Level: Medium to High
Coat and Color: Short and smooth, typically fawn, brindle, or white, with possible black masks and white markings
Life Span: 10-12 years

10. Pekingese

The Pekingese, bred for royalty, has a lion-like mane and a flat face. They are confident, stubborn, and affectionate, requiring extensive grooming and attention in high heat.

Group: Toy
Height: 6-9 inches
Weight: Up to 14 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Stubborn, affectionate, confident
Energy Level: Medium
Coat and Color: Long, thick double coat in various shades including gold, red, sable, black and tan, white, cream, sable, and gray
Life Span: 12-14 years

11. Bullmastiff

Bred from bulldogs and mastiffs, the Bullmastiff is a large guard dog known for its loyalty and protective nature. With consistent training, they become great family dogs.

Group: Working
Height: 24-27 inches
Weight: 100-130 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Loyal, protective, alert
Energy Level: Medium to High
Coat and Color: Short and dense, fawn, red, or brindle with black accents
Life Span: 8-10 years

12. Dogue de Bordeaux

Also known as the French Mastiff, the Dogue de Bordeaux is a large, affectionate breed with a short life span. They are protective, powerful, and make great family dogs.

Group: Working
Height: 23-27 inches
Weight: 99-150 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Devoted, even-tempered, vigilant
Energy Level: Medium
Coat and Color: Short and soft, various shades of fawn with possible small white patches
Life Span: 5-8 years

13. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a social, affectionate breed that fits well into many families. They require regular grooming due to their long hair and appreciate walks and playtime.

Group: Toy
Height: 12-13 inches
Weight: 13-18 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Affectionate, sociable, gentle
Energy Level: Medium
Coat and Color: Long and silky, Blenheim, tricolor, black and tan, or ruby
Life Span: 9-15 years

14. Lhasa Apso

The Lhasa Apso, originally bred as a guard dog in Tibetan monasteries, is known for its long, flowing coat. They are confident, smart, and affectionate, requiring regular grooming and socialization.

Group: Non-sporting
Height: 10-11 inches
Weight: 12-18 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Confident, smart, affectionate
Energy Level: Medium
Coat and Color: Long and dense, any color including black, white, gold, cream, and parti-color
Life Span: 12-15 years

15. Tibetan Spaniel

The Tibetan Spaniel, used as watchdogs in Tibetan monasteries, is affectionate and friendly. They have a flat face, require regular grooming, and are known for their intelligence and agility.

Group: Non-sporting
Height: 10 inches
Weight: 9-15 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Alert, independent, loving
Energy Level: Medium
Coat and Color: Silky and smooth, various shades including gold, red, sable, black, and white
Life Span: 12-15 years

16. Pekingese