Study Finds Cute Face Shape of French Bulldogs Hinders Their Sleep Quality
French bulldogs are the latest trend in dog breeds, favored by celebrities and adored for their adorable features However, a recent study reveals that their cute, flat faces may hinder their ability to get a good night's sleep
The French bulldog, with its endearing wrinkled nose and bat-like ears, has become the latest fashion in flat-faced dogs and has been popular for quite some time. Recently, it has risen to become the most popular dog breed in the US, according to the 2022 registration statistics from the American Kennel Club, and is adored by celebrities such as Reese Witherspoon and Megan Thee Stallion.
However, researchers suggest that while these animals are undeniably cute, their distinctive facial features may be impacting their sleep.
Researchers at Eötvös Loránd University in Hungary conducted a study using electroencephalogram tests (EEGs) to analyze the sleep patterns of 92 dogs. Electrodes were attached to their heads for three hours to monitor their brain activity and determine whether flat-faced dogs experienced lower sleep quality compared to longer-nosed breeds.
Flat-faced dogs, due to their narrow nostrils and smaller airways, are more susceptible to breathing issues. Some veterinarians caution against purchasing these dogs, as they have been selectively bred to display these physical traits.
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During the study, it was observed that flat-faced dogs slept more during the three-hour period provided. This increase in daytime sleep may be attributed to insufficient sleep at night. However, the EEG patterns revealed even more intriguing results, as stated by researcher Zsófia Bognár. The researchers discovered that during the dogs' REM sleep, there was an abundance of beta and delta brain waves, which is typically linked to learning success in dogs and intelligence in humans.
Brachycephalic dogs, with shorter noses, showed a decrease in beta waves and an increase in delta waves compared to their longer-nosed counterparts. Additionally, researchers noted a higher frequency of sleep spindles, bursts of coherent brain activity visible on the EEG, in these dogs. Ivaylo Iotchev, the study's first author published in the journal Brain Structure and Function, stated that this pattern has been linked to poorer learning in dogs and loss of white matter in humans.
Experts added that the shorter-nosed dogs spent more time sleeping, "suggesting that the sleep apnea these breeds usually suffer from increases daytime sleepiness."
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The researchers suggest that the appeal of shorter-nosed dogs can be attributed to their "infant-like characteristics," such as large eyes, heads, high foreheads, and small noses, which humans find irresistibly attractive. According to researcher EnikÅ Kubinyi, this selection for infant-like appearance in dogs may have also impacted their brain function.
"At present, this is merely a daring speculation. However, it is highly probable that breeding for brachycephalic heads results in potential detrimental effects on brain function."
- Reporting by CNN's Leah Asmelash.
