A study published in Animal Welfare investigated whether adult brachycephalic dog breeds display heightened “kindchenschema” features—physical traits that elicit nurturing responses in humans. The research, led by E. Paul and colleagues, analyzed photographs of 42 popular breeds, measuring relative forehead height, eye size, and nose size in relation to muzzle length and body size.
The findings revealed that shorter-muzzled breeds tend to have relatively taller foreheads and larger eyes—two traits associated with infant-like appearance—regardless of overall breed size. These features may enhance perceived cuteness and contribute to the high demand for breeds such as Pugs, Bulldogs, and French Bulldogs.
However, the researchers emphasized that these same breeds face serious conformation-related health issues, including breathing difficulties, eye problems, and heat intolerance. The study suggests that addressing such welfare concerns must consider the strong emotional appeal created by these exaggerated facial traits.
While brachycephalic breeds did not show exaggeration in all kindchenschema features, the presence of these particular traits appears sufficient to influence owner preference and market trends.
Source: Paul, E., Packer, R., McGreevy, P., Coombe, E., Mendl, E., & Neville, V. (2023). That brachycephalic look: Infant-like facial appearance in short-muzzled dog breeds. Animal Welfare, 32, January 26, 2023.
