Why does my dog never get fitter?

[ShouldersBackChestOutChinUp]

She has always been walked 2 x per day. 5kms in the morning. 3kms in the evening.

In spring, summer and autumn, I do couch to 5k. She comes along with my other dogs. It's a gradual build up to 5km.

She's 4 yeRs old and she really struggles. I make sure we go out at cool times of the day.

Why doesn't her fitness improve?

Is it fitness or is it her airways are constructed because of her breed?

Constructed??
Constricted!

I'm not sure what breed she is. Rescue mutt. Lovely girl.

From that photo it's a flat faced breed? If so, she's potentially chronically oxygen starved... if mot and its just the angle, she also appears quite overweight, which won't help matters

She looks severely brachycephalic, that's why, and yes she does look overweight. I would honestly be concerned she'd keel over, I know it's not hot at the moment. Perhaps she would be a candidate for airway surgery.

I think she needs to get a lot of weight off tbh. She is also quite flat faced, so could well struggle with her airway as well

@Touloser

From that photo it's a flat faced breed? If so, she's potentially chronically oxygen starved... if mot and its just the angle, she also appears quite overweight, which won't help matters

This in spades.

She is a bit tubby. She on slimline dog food now.

So flatter faced dogs can never run or do more exertion like longer snout dogs?

So flatter faced dogs can never run or do more exertion like longer snout dogs?

Basically? Yes. She isn't bred for optimal air intake. I would get your vet to give her a MOT and they can advise on how to help her.

Shes gorgeous, but I really wouldn't try to make her accompany you on runs, OP. Most dogs (even fit ones) preferto be able to stop and sniff, urinate, greet other dogs etc during their walks, not desperately try to keep up with their owner. A dog's walk is about interacting with its environment as much as physical exercise. Your dog in particular looks like she needs to go at a gentler pace. She's effectively breathing through a drinking straw, so I don't think she'll be up to sustained periods of running.

Honestly OP I would organise a vet check. If it’s a flat face issue then your dog may need surgery.
If it’s a weight issue then they can also advise. Slimline dog food alone may not cure the issue. They can advise on amounts. You should be able to feel ribs.

That is a picture of a dog that is already overheated and in respiratory distress - please seek veterinary advice on whether she is suffering from BOAS.

Yes I think it's the in breeding... my dog is a lab cross collie with a very long snout and she can go for bloody hours!!! Running in circles she's never worn out

Wanna swap? 😬

@WaltzingToWalsingham

Shes gorgeous, but I really wouldn't try to make her accompany you on runs, OP. Most dogs (even fit ones) preferto be able to stop and sniff, urinate, greet other dogs etc during their walks, not desperately try to keep up with their owner. A dog's walk is about interacting with its environment as much as physical exercise. Your dog in particular looks like she needs to go at a gentler pace. She's effectively breathing through a drinking straw, so I don't think she'll be up to sustained periods of running.

This! Please don’t run with this type of dog, you can tell just by looking at her she is more of a lap dog who just needs gentle regular walks not running, you are doing her more harm than good.

I wouldn’t be making a brachy dog run, never mind in the warmer months.

She’s awfully brachycephalic. She really can’t breathe enough for everything you are doing poor thing.

Cut her food and let her stay home when you do long walks

@ShouldersBackChestOutChinUp

She is a bit tubby. She on slimline dog food now.

So flatter faced dogs can never run or do more exertion like longer snout dogs?

Basically no. You shouldn't be running a dog like that either. She's clearly struggling.

The only way I can describe it is too stuff tampons up your nose and put a blanket in your mouth, then run. You can't make a silk purse out of a sows ear. All dogs are wonderful they just have different strengths.

This thread makes me so sad.

When will people see how unhealthy these dogs are? That photo shows a dog in severe respiratory distress - ears back, bright red tongue and a "smile" type look. All signs that the dog is overheating and struggling to breathe.

I know she was a rescue OP so I'm not blaming you for her health issues but please stop running with your dog. You could kill her, especially in this heat.

Oh and she needs to lose weight which won't be helping her struggles.

Less food and more breed-appropriate exercise (walks, no running, and in much much cooler temperatures than this). Ideally in the summer months she needs to go out before 7am and after 9pm.

When you say 'bit tubby' what is her recommended weight and what is her current weight?

And yes, it's entirely unrealistic to expect a brachy dog to run with their owner. The most they shouid do is entirely voluntary capering about when on walks. They are not suitable for activity classes either, but if you want to do something enriching for the dog, you could try obedience work and teach tricks.

The Vet school at Cambridge University are the experts in BOAS and run clinics and research into it.
There are also a number of vets who can widen nares and reduce the soft palate to allow for easier breathing, and pug or french bulldog group can advise on your nearest.

I have a pug that can run for miles and one that likes a sedate sniff, we are walking at 7am and not in the evening at the moment because of the heat.

Yep she's struggling to breathe because of her restricted airways and is too fat. So is basically having a horrid time and being put under huge stress.