Brachycephalic Dog Respiratory Health Data from UK Kennel Club

Over 4,000 dogs from three extreme brachycephalic breeds were assessed using the Respiratory Function Grading Scheme. Joanna Jadwiga Ilska published this dataset on figshare in May 2026, analyzing heritability estimates for respiratory function and nostril stenosis. The findings support the feasibility of selective breeding programs to improve respiratory health in Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, and Pugs.

Use Cases

• Estimate trait heritability based on RFGS grade data
• Analyze breed participation in health screening schemes based on UK Kennel Club registration data
• Assess genetic correlations between respiratory function and nostril stenosis traits
• Model the potential impact of selective breeding on BOAS prevalence

Strengths

• Data covers over 4,000 dogs, providing a substantial sample size for analysis
• Includes pedigree records alongside RFGS assessment data, enabling genetic studies
• Heritability estimates are provided for key traits (RFGS grade 0.21–0.49, nostril stenosis 0.31–0.39)

Limitations

• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download
• The dataset is very small (5.5 KB), indicating limited scope or highly summarized data

Provenance

Source

UK Royal Kennel Club registered populations

Collection Method

Standardized exercise tests via the Respiratory Function Grading Scheme (RFGS), analyzed alongside pedigree records

Freshness

Last updated 2026-05-13 17:48:45; freshness should be verified

Geography

United Kingdom