When dog training, we want to know everything that can affect our dog’s behavior, as this can help us determine why our dog is or isn't doing what we expect. We all know that some breeds have a better reaction to training than others. For example, border collies are traditionally known to be intelligent and respond to positive reinforcement training. Some dogs are notoriously less responsive to training and instruction, for instance, dalmations, which can be more stubborn than other breeds and need continual training for learning new commands.
We often think that a dog's ability to be successful at training can also depend on past experiences, the bond between owner and dog, and the trainer's skill. However, recent research has revealed that the shape of the skull can directly affect how dogs see the world and react to it, and therefore, how we train them. Consider the difference between the skull shape of a French Bulldog and a Greyhound.
In this article, we assess how skull shape in dogs can impact dog health, with a particular focus on the French bulldog and pugs.
Interestingly, there are three skull types. Here are the general categories:
The shape of a skull can impact sensory input and, therefore, can affect dog behaviour and dog training. Dogs with flat faces and forward-facing eyes have better depth perception but a narrower field of view. So they are often very good at identifying visual cues and responding to facial expressions, so this is great for reinforcement training when the dog can see you are happy with their response.
A greyhound, for example, has eyes set further apart, which gives them a wider field of vision to spot animals in the distance. However, this can be very distracting in training; you might need to train the dog in a quiet space with fewer distractions.
In terms of sense of smell and skull shape, flat-faced breeds have fewer scent receptors and experience breathing difficulties, which can make it harder for them to concentrate. They might require shorter training sessions. It can also affect long-term health.
Dogs with longer snouts have more scent receptors, which helps with scent tracking. They can end up skilled in dog jobs like search and rescue, or it might become a distraction in dog training for some dogs.
The shape of a skull can affect brain organisation. Dogs with flat faces and brachycephalic skulls tend to respond well to emotional, social and facial cues. So, French bulldogs and pugs can have a very emotional connection with their humans, but this doesn’t mean training is necessarily easier, as they can easily tire out, become overwhelmed, and get worn out if the training session is too long. They can also become very stubborn.
Breeds with an average skull shape, mesaticephalic breeds, like border collies and labradors, can strike a better balance between intelligence and stamina in training sessions. These breeds are more likely to be used in service and working roles. Consider tailoring the length of your training sessions and your expectations to the breed of your dog.
The physical skull shape of a dog can have an impact on their health. This is especially true for dogs with a brachycephalic skull. They can have difficulties with breathing due to compressed airways, due to their short snout, and this can make life challenging for certain breeds like pugs and French Bulldogs, especially during exercise or in hot weather. They can also get tired, irritable, and anxious. They can also suffer from sleep apnea, which can cause sleep disruption and also affect mood. These types of dogs can also experience eye problems.
If your dog training is a struggle, consider what might impact their ability to enjoy training. Are they tired? Are they distracted? Perhaps they have not slept well. For dogs that struggle with training, such as French bulldogs and pugs, avoid training in high temperatures, keep training short and positive with visual cues and positive reinforcement.
Dogs with mesaticephalic skulls can cope with more physical exertion and thrive on mental stimulation, so they do well with obedience training using positive reinforcement, but be mindful of scent distraction. For dolichocephalic breeds, like greyhounds or borzois. For these breeds, train in places with low distractions, use motion-based games, and distance cues for training.
If you are thinking of buying a puppy, you will likely have researched lots of dog breeds, but might not have considered how dog breeds vary by skull shape. And how skull shape affects dog behavior is interesting to consider, what type of relationship you would like with the dog you welcome into your home.
If you’re looking for a dog that will respond to training, then you might want to adopt a dog with a more regular dog shape of head and snout. These dogs will enjoy exercise and mental stimulation. If you are new to dog ownership or looking for a healthy dog, then you will need to ensure you purchase a puppy from a responsible and ethical breeder. You might also want to consider not buying a dog with a flat face, as they are prone to health conditions.
Each skull shape can have an impact on dog health and training, and by understanding this, you can tailor your dog training to suit your dog.
28 August, 2025