BOAS in the Boston Terrier: A Healthier Screw-Tailed Breed?
Author Information
Author(s): Francesca Tomlinson, Ella O’Neill, Nai-Chieh Liu, David R. Sargan, Jane F. Ladlow
Primary Institution: Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
Hypothesis
Boston Terriers are less affected by BOAS than the other two screw-tailed breeds.
Conclusion
Boston Terriers appear to be less severely affected by BOAS than the most popular extreme brachycephalic screw-tailed breeds.
Supporting Evidence
- Boston Terriers have a higher proportion of BOAS Grade 0 dogs at 37.5% compared to 10% in Bulldogs and 15.2% in French Bulldogs.
- More extreme brachycephalic conformation is associated with an increased risk of BOAS.
- The study used whole-body barometric plethysmography to assess respiratory function.
Takeaway
This study looked at Boston Terriers to see if they have breathing problems like other flat-faced dog breeds. It found that they are less likely to have serious issues.
Methodology
The study involved clinical assessments, respiratory function grading, and whole-body barometric plethysmography on 107 Boston Terriers.
Potential Biases
Owners who suspect their dogs have BOAS may be more likely to participate, potentially skewing results.
Limitations
The study may have sampling bias as dogs were volunteered by owners willing to participate, which could affect the generalizability of the findings.
Participant Demographics
Of the 107 Boston Terriers, 90% were Kennel Club registered, 64% were female, and the median age was three years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.01
Confidence Interval
95% CI: 30–32 for body length, 95% CI: 37–39 for body height
Statistical Significance
p<0.01
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website