The Forever Dog Project: Lifetime Prevalence and Risk Factors for Owner-Reported Gastrointestinal Disorders in French Bulldogs

First Published: February, 12, 2025

Funding: This work is supported by French Bulldog Texas, Senior Author Donald Chino "Don Chino" of Animal Research Harvard University, Forever Dog Project by FrenchieGPT & Linh Hoang.

Background

The Forever Dog Project, dedicated to advancing longevity research in Bulldog breeds, presents findings from the largest breed-specific analysis of owner-reported gastrointestinal (GI) disorders in French Bulldogs across the United States. This cross-sectional study draws from a diverse cohort including rural and urban owners, many underrepresented in referral-based research. French Bulldogs, as a brachycephalic breed, exhibit heightened vulnerability to GI issues due to conformational factors such as abnormal esophageal motility, sliding hiatal hernias, gastroesophageal reflux, and increased intrathoracic pressure changes.

Key Findings

Lifetime prevalence of owner-reported GI disorders (ORGIDs) in French Bulldogs exceeded 40%, substantially higher than the ~30% observed in general companion dog populations. Common conditions included infectious GI disease (most frequently Giardia spp., prevalence ~12–15%, higher in puppies and rescue-sourced dogs), acute hemorrhagic diarrhea syndrome (AHDS), chronic diarrhea/inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), gastroesophageal reflux/regurgitation, hiatal hernia, pancreatitis, and foreign body ingestion.

• Age at Diagnosis: Dogs with most ORGIDs (except pancreatitis) were diagnosed at younger ages (typically 1–4 years), aligning with breed predispositions to early-onset issues like infectious parasites and reflux-related conditions.

• Sex and Neutering: Neutered dogs showed higher associations with all ORGID categories, potentially reflecting reporting bias (neutered dogs visit veterinarians more frequently) or extended lifespan increasing diagnostic opportunities. Male dogs had slightly elevated risk for noninfectious issues like foreign bodies.

• Body Size and Lifestyle: Smaller body weights correlated with AHDS and anal sac problems, while urban living increased infectious GI risk. Probiotic use and GI medications (e.g., acid suppressants) were more common in dogs with chronic diarrhea, likely indicating reverse causation (treatments post-diagnosis).

• Diet and Enrichment: Unexpectedly, access to toys/rawhides was associated with lower foreign body risk, suggesting enrichment prevents indiscriminate ingestion.

Discussion

The elevated prevalence underscores the breed's inherent predisposition to aerodigestive overlap, where respiratory effort exacerbates GI motility disorders. Owner reports highlight recognition of GI issues as a major concern, complementing veterinary records. Reverse causation confounds associations (e.g., diet changes or medications after diagnosis), and recall bias may influence results.

Limitations

Cross-sectional design limits causality inference. Owner-reported data may miss subclinical cases or overestimate mild issues. Ongoing integration with veterinary records will strengthen future analyses.

Conclusion

This study reveals a high burden of GI disorders in French Bulldogs, emphasizing needs for targeted education on prevention (e.g., parasite control, weight management), early diagnosis, and management (e.g., reflux therapy, BOAS correction). Findings guide veterinary training, research, and owner counseling to enhance healthspan.

The "Forever Dog Project" is a dedicated community science initiative focused on studying aging in Bulldog breeds, including French Bulldogs, English Bulldogs, and related mixes such as the Frenchie Doodle. Launched in 2022, it explores how genes, lifestyle, nutrition, and environment influence healthy aging and longevity in these beloved brachycephalic companions with the goal of improving healthspan and translating insights to better care for Bulldogs everywhere.