Bulldogs most at risk from death in flight
Source: Agencies |
July 18, 2010, Sunday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
DOGS with pushed-back faces such as English bulldogs and pugs accounted for roughly half the purebred dog deaths on airlines in the past five years, the United States Transportation Department has revealed.
Overall, at least 122 dog deaths have been reported since May 2005, when US airlines were required to start disclosing them, the department said. The dogs died while being shipped as cargo.
English bulldogs accounted for 25 of the deaths, the single highest number among the 108 purebreds on the list. Pugs were next, with 11 deaths; followed by golden retrievers and labrador, with seven deaths each; French bulldogs, with six; and American Staffordshire terriers, four. Boxers, cockapoos, Pekingese and Pomeranians each accounted for two deaths.
Owners should consult veterinarians before putting their dogs on planes, the department said.
It believes the deaths represent a tiny percentage of the pets shipped on airlines. Mixed breeds accounted for four airline deaths and a dozen were of unknown breed.
Short-nosed breeds - known as "brachycephalic" in the dog world - have a skull formation that affects their airways, said Dan Bandy of Shawnee, Oklahoma, chairman of the Bulldog Club of America's health committee.
"The way all dogs cool themselves is basically through respiration, either just panting or the action of breathing in or out is a method of heat exchange for them," Bandy said.
"A dog that has a long snout or a long muzzle has more surface area within its nasal cavity for that heat exchange to take place.
"So breeds like labradors or collies or those types of dogs with the long muzzles have a more efficient cooling system."
Overall, at least 122 dog deaths have been reported since May 2005, when US airlines were required to start disclosing them, the department said. The dogs died while being shipped as cargo.
English bulldogs accounted for 25 of the deaths, the single highest number among the 108 purebreds on the list. Pugs were next, with 11 deaths; followed by golden retrievers and labrador, with seven deaths each; French bulldogs, with six; and American Staffordshire terriers, four. Boxers, cockapoos, Pekingese and Pomeranians each accounted for two deaths.
Owners should consult veterinarians before putting their dogs on planes, the department said.
It believes the deaths represent a tiny percentage of the pets shipped on airlines. Mixed breeds accounted for four airline deaths and a dozen were of unknown breed.
Short-nosed breeds - known as "brachycephalic" in the dog world - have a skull formation that affects their airways, said Dan Bandy of Shawnee, Oklahoma, chairman of the Bulldog Club of America's health committee.
"The way all dogs cool themselves is basically through respiration, either just panting or the action of breathing in or out is a method of heat exchange for them," Bandy said.
"A dog that has a long snout or a long muzzle has more surface area within its nasal cavity for that heat exchange to take place.
"So breeds like labradors or collies or those types of dogs with the long muzzles have a more efficient cooling system."
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