01/06/2025
NEW RESEARCH EXPLORES RESPIRATORY HEALTH OF BOSTON TERRIERS
New research analysing the breathing function in Boston Terriers has been published this week, as part of a wider commitment to understanding and improving the health of brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds.
Conducted by the BOAS Research Group at the University of Cambridge and led by Dr Fran Tomlinson, the research examined factors contributing to the risk of brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) in Boston Terriers, a respiratory disease which is linked to some flat-faced breeds.
The study, which was funded by The Kennel Club Charitable Trust, found that 62.5% of Boston Terriers were unaffected by BOAS, with key risk factors for BOAS in the breed including stenotic nostrils, facial foreshortening, abnormal scleral show (eye appearance), and a higher neck-to-girth ratio.
Dr Jane Ladlow, who is part of the research group at the University of Cambridge, commented: “Boston Terriers are brachycephalic, which is why they were included in our research alongside other breeds. While the findings confirm that Boston Terriers are affected by BOAS, they are less severely impacted than some of the more popular flat-faced breeds.
“However, it confirms the need to follow the example of responsible breeders who prioritise health in their breeding decisions. By selecting dogs with better respiratory function and less extreme conformational traits, breeders can significantly improve the welfare of this breed. Continuing to collect data on BOAS is also essential for helping owners understand their dog’s respiratory function.”
Charlotte McNamara, Head of Health at The Kennel Club, added: “This research, funded by The Kennel Club Charitable Trust, enables us and all those who care about protecting and improving Boston Terrier health to understand more about these complex issues and take action. With the risk factors for BOAS now identified, responsible breeders can breed away from these traits and The Kennel Club can incorporate this evidence into its tools like Breed Watch and Breed Health and Conservation Plans.”
The Kennel Club takes insights from research and feeds them into its Breed Health and Conservation plans, so that it can work with breeders to give information and guidance about how to ensure the future health of pedigree breeds. These plans, which enable The Kennel Club to track progress and make meaningful changes to breed health, have been developed as a result of reviewing more than 4,000 research papers, making the project the most comprehensive review of pedigree health data anywhere in the world.
Charlotte added: “It also provides an evidence base which will enable us to expand our ground-breaking breathing assessment, the University of Cambridge/Kennel Club Respiratory Function Grading scheme, for Boston Terriers.
“While breeders now have more information to make healthier breeding decisions, we also urge prospective owners to prioritise health over appearance when choosing a dog. Decisions should not be driven by celebrity trends or social media influence but by finding breeders who use the health tools available and prioritise non-exaggerated features, ensuring that health comes first, as described in the breed standard.”
The full research can be found here.
More information about brachycephalic dog health and The Kennel Club/University of Cambridge BOAS research and breathing assessment is available at thekennelclub.org.uk/brachyhub.
