health surveys

All pure-bred dogs have certain health problems that occur more often than in the dog population in general, and Frenchies are no exception. Some of these are probably associated with the breed´s general constitution as a brachycephalic, chondrodystrophic dwarf. Others may be related to the relatively inbred nature of this relatively small population of dogs. And some may be genetic disorders, either produced by the interaction of several different genes ("polygenic") or by a single gene locus that may be either dominant or recessive.
In the US, three common problems in French Bulldogs involve the back, the airway, and skin allergies. Of these, the first two are constitutional; the second is probably related to inbreeding with perhaps some polygenic input. Though it is difficult to eradicate these, it seems likely that breeding dogs with such problems prevalent in their inmediate families might be better avoided.
Health issues that are known in other breeds to have a genetic basis have also been diagnosed in Frenchies in the US. These are the things about which we need more information in our breed. For this reason, the FBDCA has carried out a health survey, utilizing a questionnaire based on one developed by the American Kennel Club. Breeders and pet owners are encouraged to keep good records on all of their dogs through their lifetimes, so that we might determine what the average life expectancy is, what the major causes of death are, and what health issues might be able to be reduced by planned breeding programs. Information gotten from the data gathered is being used to determine how best to utilize the French Bulldog Donor Advise Fund of the Canine Health Foundation.
There are several research programs being carried out at various vet schools, in areas of interest to our breed. Such things as canine allergic skin disease, epilepsy, and cataracts are being studied and subjected to DNA analysis among other things. We hope to be able to provide support for some of these programs, both with providing clinical information and DNA samples of Frenchies affected with them.
In order to gain support for such a health survey and participation in research programs, it is essential to guarantee absolute confidentiality. In the FBDCA survey, all questionnaires were returned to and tabulated by a research associated at the Universsity of Missouri Veterinary School; this person is not involve with Frenchies and does not personnaly know any Frenchy breeders or owners. Following tabulation, the data was given to the FBDCA Genetics and Health Committee, with no dogs, breeders, or kennels identified in any way in the tabulated data. The independent tabulator retained all questionnaires. The FBDCA G and H Committee, is in the process of making up recommendations based on the results of the survey, and these will be published in our club magazine, The Frenchie Forum.
We would encourage Frenchie fanciers in other countries to carry out similar surveys. The only way to produce and to raise healthier dogs is to be as fully informaed as possible about the problems that exist.