My cockapoo breathes too heavy

I have an eight month old, very active cockapoo. With the exception of some minor housebreaking issues everything is going well...... except.... for the fact that he breathes very heavy most of the time.

Even when he's resting he is still breathing heavy. Is there something I should be concerned about?

Margaret





Hi Margaret
Cocker Spaniels and Poodles aren't the type of brachycephalic (short nosed) breeds that most often are prone to breathing difficulties. Your pup is a hybrid, so obviously he'll have a mix of both traits, but unless his muzzle is shorter than you would expect, this is unlikely to be a nasal problem.

Heavy breathing can be harmless, but it can also be a sign of several different problems such as a respiratory infection or congestion for example. I'd strongly recommend that you have your pup checked out by your vet to make sure that there's no underlying health issue causing this labored breathing.

Occasionally, breathing difficulties can be the result of heart problems and it's always better to be safe than sorry, so have your little guy examined to put your mind at rest.

Best of luck, hope he gets the 'all-clear'.