Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels a Brachycephalic Breed?

Cavalier king charles spaniels suffer from several health problems due to their narrow gene pool. In this article, we will discuss whether the cavalier king charles spaniels are a brachycephalic breed or not, and how brachycephaly affects dogs.

I’ve had cavaliers who snored, and 2 out of four cavaliers reverse sneezed when they got super excited (when humans got home from school/work). Dogs can snore from time to time and it doesn’t automatically mean breathing problems. Chronic snoring is problematic and chronic means that the dog snores every time they sleep.

When I’m imagining a brachycephalic dog, in my mind I see a dog with a really flat nose. Cavaliers aren’t snub-nosed dogs so why are they on the list? Let’s take a look!

What Does Brachycephalic Mean?

I think brachycephalic is an adjective that has surfaced in mainstream conversations fairly recently. The more people are aware and interested in dogs’ health, the more likely they’ve heard this term used before.

If described figuratively, a dog’s skull should be more shaped like the pigskin (American football) rather than the black-and-white ball used in association football.

Brachycephaly is derived from the Ancient Greek βραχύς, ‘short’ and κεφαλή, ‘head’

Wikipedia

Irresponsible breeding, narrow gene pools, and the popularity of certain looks in dogs have caused the skull to be shaped with a shortened facial structure and a compressed muzzle.

The brachycephalic skull structure often leads to anatomical abnormalities in the airways, including narrowed nostrils, elongated soft palate, and a smaller windpipe.

This results in a distinct appearance with a snub-nosed or flat-faced look. In humans, this feature can be seen in Down Syndrome.

Brachycephaly does not occur naturally in dogs.

These characteristics can result in breathing difficulties, such as snoring, wheezing, and increased susceptibility to respiratory problems. This is called brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS).

Brachycephalic dogs are also prone to overheating due to their compromised ability to regulate body temperature effectively.

Here Are Few Brachycephalic Dog Breeds:

• Boston terriers
• Cavalier king charles spaniels
• English bulldogs
• French bulldogs
• Japanese chins
• King Charles spaniels (English toy spaniel)
• Pekingese
• Pugs
• Shih Tzus
• and more

Why Are Cavaliers a Brachycephalic Breed?

Sadly, the answer is yes, cavalier king charles spaniels are a brachycephalic breed even though some people are not willing to face the facts.

The reason why cavaliers are brachycephalic can be found in their heads. According to Cavalierhealth.org, it’s estimated by researchers that up to 95% of cavalier king charles spaniels have Chiari Malformation (CM).

Simplified, cavalier king charles spaniels’ skulls are too short.

Cavaliers don’t typically suffer from breathing problems or overheating, unlike bulldogs and pugs. Cavaliers should have a moderate-length muzzle and a more proportionate facial structure.

What Is Chiari Malformation and How Does It Affect Cavaliers?

Chiari Malformations are named for Hans Chiari, an Austrian pathologist, who first identified type I-III in 1891.

Rarediseases.org

Chiari Malformation is a structural abnormality of the skull and brain that involves the displacement of a part of the brain called the cerebellum.

The back of the skull is shorter than it should be. A short skull makes it difficult for the brain to fit properly.

Because the skull is fundamentally malformed, the malformation can lead to other medical conditions. Here are short simplified explanations:

Syringomyelia

In dogs with Chiari malformation, the lower part of the brain, the cerebellum extends downward through the opening at the base of the skull, and into the spinal canal.

This can cause compression and disruption of normal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow around the brain and spinal cord. The pressure affects the flow of CSF and fluid-filled cavities (syrinx) form in the spinal cord.

Syringomyelia is a condition that affects cavalier king charles spaniels worldwide, without being specific to any particular country, kennel, or breeding line. Experts in the field believe that it’s a hereditary condition within this breed.

Primary Secretory Otitis Media (PSOM)

In dogs with PSOM, there is a buildup of thick, glue-like mucus or fluid in the middle ear, which can lead to various symptoms. The exact cause of PSOM is not fully understood, but it is believed to involve a dysfunction in the Eustachian tube, which normally helps drain fluids from the middle ear.

In theory, if the skull wasn’t malformed, the Eustachian tubes could function properly and mucus wouldn’t accumulate in the middle ear.

Are Cavaliers Snub-Nosed?

Tricky question, because some are, and some aren’t. It widely depends on breeding decisions. Some kennels produce more snub-nosed cavaliers and some, more educated breeders try to avoid breeding snub-nosed individuals.

Cavalier king charles spaniels are not considered to be flat-faced dogs. The Cavalier King Charles Breed Standard says “Length from base of stop to tip of nose about 3.8 cms (11/2 ins)”.

I rarely come across a cavalier with an alarmingly short snout. It’s a pity to see when a short-snouted cavalier succeeds in the show ring.

Responsible breeders do not chase dog show merits but instead, consider health when selecting dogs for breeding.

The real snub-nosed spaniel is the cousin of cavaliers, the English toy spaniel. Cavaliers get often mixed up with King Charles spaniels, which have similar snouts to pugs. That is not a coincidence, because King Charles spaniels were mixed with many flat-faced breeds to achieve the look.

What Are the Symptoms and Signs of Brachycephaly in Dogs?

The signs and symptoms of a brachycephalic dog can be seen by looking at the dog and how the dog acts. The brachycephalic syndrome causes various health problems that affect every aspect of a dog’s life. It affects dogs’ breathing, eating, and how much they can exercise.

Outer Signs of a Brachycephalic Dog

• The dome-shaped head
• Steep forehead
• Skin wrinkles around the nose
• The snout is extremely flat and nonexistent
• Brachycephalic breeds are more likely to have puppies with cleft palate
• Excess tissue in the mouth and the nasal cavities

Symptoms of a Brachycephalic Dog

• Breathing problems:
  • reverse sneezing
  • breathing difficulties
  • chronic snoring
  • sleeping with a toy in their mouth (helps with the airflow)
• Eating difficulties and acid reflux
  • Gagging and vomiting
• Dental problems because all the teeth do not fit in the mouth
• Dog can’t exercise without severe panting, borderline hyperventilation
  • This can lead to collapsing
• Chiari malformation
  • Syringomyelia

You May Also Be Interested:

https://cavalcadia.com/do-cavaliers-have-the-dvl2-gene-variant

Conclusion

Cavalier king charles spaniels are undeniably considered a brachycephalic breed. Brachycephaly is a syndrome in dogs where the skull and snout are abnormally short caused by bad breeding practices.

Brachycephalic dogs, such as bulldogs and pugs often experience breathing difficulties and are prone to respiratory issues due to their compromised airways. They may also struggle with regulating body temperature, especially in hot or humid weather.

Cavaliers suffer from Chiari malformation, the malformation makes the back of the skull too short. This leads to different health problems such as syringomyelia and PSOM.