what's wrong with a english bull dog when he breathes heavily and never stops no matter what?

by sarah
(farmington, MO, USA)

When i first got my dog it wouldn't stop breathing heavily with his tongue hanging out. The person we got it from said it was just because he was hot, but it somewhat got a little worse.

He got to where he never stopped and he even started to do it in his sleep. Is something wrong?


Hi Sarah
Flat-faced breeds such as Bulldogs, Pugs and so on, are at much higher risk of breathing difficulties than breeds with longer muzzles.

Smaller nostrils, narrowed esophagus', soft palate problems and so on are quite common. The results can vary from mild to severe, and it sounds as though your dog is tending towards the more serious end of the scale.

This can be dangerous if he becomes overheated, over excited or over-exerts himself (a lot of 'overs!!).

If you haven't already had your veterinarian examine him, I'd strongly suggest that you do that soon. He may determine that there's no serious problem and just advise you on how to help your dog, reduce his risks, and let you know his limitations. On the other hand, if there is a significant problem, he may be able to suggest some minor surgery that could relieve the symptoms.

Although it's most likely that his 'breathing apparatus' is what's causing your dog's problems, there's always a chance that he has heart problems causing his breathing difficulties. Although it's unlikely to be the case, it's always better to be safe than sorry.

Best of luck with him.