Cambridge study widens BOAS risk list to 12 more dog breeds

A University of Cambridge team has identified 12 additional brachycephalic dog breeds at risk of brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome, or BOAS, broadening concern well beyond the breeds most commonly associated with the condition. In the PLOS One study, published February 18, 2026, researchers assessed nearly 900 dogs across 14 brachycephalic breeds and found the highest prevalence in Pekingese and Japanese Chin, with Shih Tzu and Staffordshire Bull Terriers among the breeds now highlighted as at risk. The study also found that risk was linked not just to breed, but to modifiable and measurable traits including overweight body condition, nostril stenosis, and a wider, shorter head shape. (vet.cam.ac.uk)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, the findings reinforce that BOAS screening shouldn't be limited to French Bulldogs, Pugs, and Bulldogs. Cambridge says the work adapted its respiratory function grading approach for 14 additional breeds, and the paper suggests a more breed-specific approach is needed because severity varies both between and within breeds. That has practical implications for wellness exams, breeding advice, pre-anesthetic assessment, weight-management counseling, and conversations with pet parents who may normalize snoring, exercise intolerance, or heat sensitivity as “typical” for a breed. Cambridge notes clinically affected dogs may require management ranging from weight loss to surgery, and BOAS can also impair thermoregulation and increase heat-stroke risk. (vet.cam.ac.uk)

What to watch: Expect follow-on work around breed-specific screening tools, breeding guidance, and whether interventions such as weight loss can reduce clinical burden in at-risk brachycephalic dogs. (api.repository.cam.ac.uk)