Flat-faced dogs and cats with Dr. Dan O'Neill and Dr. Rowena Packer

The Pawsitive Post in Conversation by Companion Animal Psychology

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We talk about the health issues faced by flat-faced (brachycephalic) dogs and cats and why these breeds are still to popular with Dr. Dan O'Neill and Dr. Rowena Packer of the Royal Veterinary College.

We start by talking about what we mean when we talk about brachycephalic dogs. Pugs, Bulldogs, and French Bulldogs are the poster children for these breeds and get the most attention, but we also get some surprising good news about Shih Tzus.

When dogs are bred for flat faces it means they can struggle to breathe. Dan and Rowena talk about the health issues these dogs can face and the effects it has on their lifespan.

We talk about their co-edited book, The Health and Welfare of Brachycephalic (Flat-Faced) Companion Animals: A Complete Guide for Veterinarians and Animal Professionals. The book covers a wide range of information and we talk about how the intended audience is not just vets but anyone who cares about these dogs.

And there's a note of optimism as we talk about what would make a difference to the welfare of flat-faced dogs.

Finally we talk about the books we're reading:

The Signal and the Noise by Nate Silver

Nudge: The Final Edition by Richard H. Thaler and Cass R. Sunstein

Letters From a Lady Rancher by Monica Hopkins

Bookworm: A Novel by Robin Yeatman

About the co-hosts:

Kristi Benson is an honours graduate of the prestigious Academy for Dog Trainers and has her PCBC-A from the Pet Professional Accreditation Board. She lives in beautiful northern British Columbia, where she helps dog guardians through online teaching and consultations. Kristi is on staff at the Academy for Dog Trainers, helping to shape the next generation of canine professionals. Kristi’s dogs are rescue sled dogs, mostly retired and thoroughly enjoying a good snooze in front of the woodstove.

Kristi Benson's website Facebook

Zazie Todd, PhD, is the award-winning author of Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy and Purr: The Science of Making Your Cat Happy. She is the creator of the popular blog, Companion Animal Psychology, and also has a column at Psychology Today. Todd lives in Maple Ridge, BC, with her husband, one dog, and one cat.

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1. Flat-faced dogs and cats with Dr. Dan O'Neill and Dr. Rowena Packer (00:00:00)

2. Shih Tzus (00:02:53)

3. What is brachycephaly? (00:05:27)

4. Breathing issues in flat-faced dogs (00:07:12)

5. BOAS and other medical issues (00:11:15)

6. It's a people problem (00:22:00)

7. Dan and Rowena's book on brachycephaly (00:32:40)

8. Books (00:40:51)