, and Pugs make up some of the most popular dog breeds here in the UK. However, the health complications that come from their short skulls and flat faces should be an alarming sign of how dangerous their selective breeding has become.

, a vet passionate about animal welfare and a leading voice in the awareness of issues around flat-faced (brachycephalic) pets.

Emma joins us to discuss the risks to consider with certain breeds, how we’ve got so many health-compromised animals, and what to look for when 

 to ensure your pet’s health comes first.

If you have a topic you'd like us to discuss in a future episode of the podcast, or if you have any questions for our guests, tell us on 

Podcast #3: Breeding Ethics, Not Aesthetics

Making the vets a positive experience as early as possible is key to stop your dog being scared of the vet.

Don't wait until you need to go to the vets to start positive associations! Take your pup to the vet before they have their first vaccination to get them used to the new sights, smells, and sounds. 

Have the staff  offer your puppy some tasty and healthy treats in return for calm behaviour. The next time your puppy comes back, they’ll be far more likely to remember their positive experience. 

You can even begin to create a positive experience for your pup at each vet visit before you even leave the house. 

Begin with some simple commands and reward with a treat. Reinforce calm behaviours like ‘sit’ and ‘stay’ as you make your way to the vet. 

This helps your puppy to expect good and nice things to happen at the vets, rather than something to be afraid of. 

3. When in the surgery… act like a dog trainer!

When you’re in the vet surgery, remember your training! Continue to reinforce positive behaviour when you’re waiting in the lobby. Have the staff reward your pup for calm behaviour too, so they associate calm behaviour and veterinary staff with good things. 

Being handled by strangers is one of the reasons many dogs don't like the vets.

To help stop your dog being scared of the vet, practice having other people stroke and handle your puppy from a young age. 

Again, have people reward them for calm behaviour as this is happening. 

Your puppy should get very used to having other people touch them, so that they're not scared when suddenly handled by a vet. Be sure to continue this training on the vet table, too.

5. Learn to read your dog’s body language

Be very aware of behaviour that shows they aren't feeling good – backing away, putting ears back, nose licking, and showing the whites of their eyes are all signs of nervous behaviour, and may eventually lead to a growl or a bite if not taken seriously. 

If you notice that your pup is feeling nervous, take a few steps back from the situation. Reintroduce commands they are familiar with, rewarding with a treat that they like when they listen. 

Whatever you do, try not to mollycoddle your puppy or show that you are nervous, too. This may only make their anxiety worse!

7. Reinforce good behaviour in many situations

Never forget to keep reinforcing good behaviour at home and at the vet throughout your dog’s life. 

Always carry a few of their favourite treats when out and about to remind them of the behaviour you’d like him to do in all kinds of new and potentially strange situations. 

Dogs are very good at picking up on our feelings. If you shout or become nervous yourself, or if you accidentally reward nervous behaviour by picking your dog up and cuddling them when they feels scared, you could inadvertently encourage anxiety. 

Think like a dog trainer and keep your voice calm and low, remembering to issue command words your dog knows well and reward them accordingly. 

The first time you expose your puppy to the vet, try to make it a positive experience for them.

Each time you visit the vet, it is important to start making positive associations from when you leave the house. And, training should always be practiced and reinforced at home. 

Learn to recognise when your dog is feeling nervous, and try not to mollycoddle them, as this may make them more anxious. Instead, introduce commands your dog is familiar with and reward the good behaviour.

8 ways to stop your dog being scared of the vet

It is quite common for dogs to be scared of the vet and averse to visiting the clinic, and no wonder – health checks, needles, and surgeries can be a scary experience! 

So, what can an owner do to help make a vet visit a more pleasant experience for their pup? And what can we do to help a dog that is already nervous - and therefore potentially reactive - in the vet surgery? 

Clinical animal behaviourist Dr. Kendal Shepherd gives owners important and helpful advice on what to do to help your dog not be scared of the vet.

So, why do so many dogs hate visiting the vet?

In order to get their job done, vets often have to do things to dogs which are unpleasant and may be painful, particularly when the animal is already feeling ill or has been injured. 

At the very least, the way vets sometimes behave towards a dog might be considered extremely rude in canine social circles! 

Dogs have evolved to be tolerant of most human activity, but we can’t just rely on this to enable them to put up with everything we expose them to. An effort must be made on everyone’s part to make experiences like vet visits as pleasant for them as possible.

I have a new puppy and it’s their first visit to the vet soon. How can I help them to stay calm and happy, and not develop a fear of the vet?

This is the most crucial vet visit your new dog will ever make. The expectations of an adult dog, for good or bad, may be imprinted on their brain during their first ever vet visit. 

Bad early memories will be very hard to erase later, but ensuring the puppy enjoys their first visit will help protect them from future unpleasantness.  

Therefore, it’s a good idea to take your puppy to the surgery before the first vaccination simply to introduce them to new sights, sounds and smells, to meet the staff and for them to all give your puppy some treats. 

Being stroked and held firmly while being fed tasty titbits is a great way to introduce your puppy to strangers’ hands, and to help them learn to tolerate restraint. Ideally, nothing potentially painful should be done to your dog during this first vet visit.

Early puppy classes and training should also include practicing handling and restraint exercises, which should then be mimicked in the consulting room. 

Have treat rewards readily available for when your puppy is doing well during this training, and never assume ‘My puppy will always be good and not need food’.

I have a dog who is already scared of the vet. What can I do to help them to relax, and stop being so scared?

 want your puppy to feel and behave, rather than what you want to stop. You don’t want them to be fearful and potentially aggressive, as they're anticipating bad things. 

What you really want is the alternative emotion and behaviour of calm hopefulness that something nice might happen. 

So, think about the first event that informs your dog they're going to the vets and not for a walk in the park. It may be that they have to get into the car, rather than being walked, or it may be the moment that you turn into the surgery car park rather than go straight on. It is at this point that pleasant associations must be built up, rather than waiting until your dog is actually inside the vet’s waiting room. 

Offer treat rewards and positive reinforcement for good and calm behaviour from the moment you begin your journey to the vet.

Simple obedience commands are very effective antidotes to fear and anxiety as long as they are rehearsed enough everywhere, not just where you need them to be effective. 

Visit the surgery and its surrounding area sometimes just to practice obedience and to make positive associations with it with the use of food. 

When in the consulting room, act exactly as if you are in training class and give your dog the guidance they need.

What can I ask my vet to do to help my dog be more comfortable during the visit?

Vets may not always take kindly to being told what to do by their clients so whatever you do, be tactful! It may be better to say, "My dog trainer said it would be a good idea to...." than you instruct, "I think you should.....". Try to demonstrate what you’d like them to do, rather than instruct. 

If there is no tasty food on offer (dry kibble will not do!), bring some with you. 

Suggest that your dog might be happier to be examined on the floor or outside than on a table confined in a room. 

Voices should be kept low and calming and beware of the clatter of metal instruments. 

Show the vet the command words and gestures your dog knows, particularly those which make examination easier.

What else can I do on a day-to-day basis or at home to help my dog be more confident, and less scared of people, in general?

You may not be able to change your dog’s basic personality or temperament, but you can change the way they express their personality - in other words, their behaviour. 

Try to put yourself in your dog’s shoes in every situation and think about what they would best like to happen. Once you have thought about this, you can then use this knowledge in many situations to manipulate their behaviour so that your dog gets what they want, and you get what you want, 

For example, if you have a dog that is nervous around new people, instead of forcing them to approach someone to say hello, start by having the new person throw a tasty treat over the dog's head from a little distance away, so that your dog has to move away to get it. Or, reward your dog yourself for calm behaviour while the new person stays at a distance. This way, your dog gets two things that they want; distance from the person that is scaring them, and a tasty treat for calm behaviour. Slowly but surely, you can start to build up their confidence.

What are some sure-fire signs that my dog is feeling nervous, or stressed, at the vets?

The most obvious signs that a dog is stressed (and often the only behaviours we take seriously) are the components of aggression – curling the lip, growling, snarling and trying to bite. 

Until a dog bites, they may often be thought to be ‘fine’. But there are many more subtle signs of stress that are ignored or, even if they are noticed, are misunderstood. 

Pulling back when entering the consulting room is not evidence that your dog is stubborn or disobedient; it shows that they're stressed and nervous. 

Wriggling when being examined is not your dog being ‘naughty’; it their way of trying to deflect and escape a situation that they think is a danger. 

Continued panting, sitting with a paw raised, turning the head away and showing the whites of the eye are all signs that a dog is feeling threatened and that they wants the threat to stop. 

Frantic wagging of the tail, panting, and jumping up are more accurately interpreted as signs of stress than ‘happiness’. Petting or handling your dog at such times may actually make matters worse. 

If you notice that your dog is doing any of the above things, rewind the situation a little and introduce some calming, obedience commands, and reward his good behaviour.

What should I NOT do at the surgery if my dog is scared of the vet?

First of all, think of how you are feeling yourself. Dogs are extremely good at picking up on our emotions and reacting accordingly.  If you are worried about how you think your dog will behave, particularly if they may become aggressive, or if you feel sorry for them and cuddle them because they're scared, your dog may think this is how they're supposed to feel as well. 

You must not get angry at your dog while at the vet surgery, as they may blame your negative emotional change as well as their own on the veterinary surgery itself. 

During the pandemic, when most dogs had to be taken away from their owners for examination and treatment at the vet, the overwhelming consensus of an informal survey of vets was that the pets were far better behaved in their owner’s absence! This just shows; what dogs really don’t need during an already nerve-wracking experience is a close companion who also seems nervous, upset or angry.

My dog is not really scared of the vet (or anyone) at all! Does that mean I don’t have to do anything?

No! If you own such a dog, you have either socialised them very well, or you have simply been extremely lucky with the dog you live with (and the latter is actually more likely!). 

A dog behaving well does not necessarily mean that the humans around them have got it right all of the time; some dogs are simply born more tolerant and forgiving of the strange things that humans get up to, than others.

However, whether you have taken pains to create it or it happened by chance, never take your pup’s great behaviour for granted! 

Good behaviour is just like physical health and, as such, can be damaged at any time if it is not cared for and preserved.  

A dog behaving well without being asked is just as deserving of reward as a dog in training. So, you should continue to provide rewards for good behaviour throughout a dog’s life.

It's a good idea to take your new puppy to the vet before they need any treatment or checkups, to get them used to the new sights and smells. 

On every trip to the vet, introduce positive associations as rewards for good and calm behaviour before you leave the house, and continue them in the surgery. 

Bring tasty treats with you and ask your vet to reward your dog for some commands they know. Always praise and reward good behaviour throughout your dog’s life, including at the vet.

Behaviourist Dr. Kendal Shepherd on … Training your dog to like the vet

Dogs are the most “phenotypically diverse” species on the planet, which is the smart way of saying they come in all different shapes, sizes, and colours. But another way that dogs can vary is their lifespan.

A dog’s physical characteristics, breed, and genetics can influence their lifespan for better or worse. 

 as small ones. The “mountain” group of dogs live shorter than average lives. And brachycephalic dogs and some pedigree dogs with high levels of inbreeding have 

 and don’t have as long or healthy lives. 

That study found Bulldogs were one of the shortest-living dog breeds and 

 found French Bulldogs had the shortest life expectancy of just 4.5 years.

Even gender plays a part, as female dogs often 

, and how healthy and long-lived they are should be a part of that. So what are some of the longest-living dog breeds?

The smaller breeds of Poodle became popular for their intelligence, apartment-friendly size, and non-shed coat. 

Another big benefit of these little dogs is their long lives, which go well into their mid to late teens. 

The Miniature Poodle was the top dog in studies on canine lifespans 

 and the US, and the Toy Poodle wasn’t far behind.

The Westie might only have an average lifespan of 

, but many of these snow-white dogs live into their mid to late teens, if not longer. 

One of the oldest-living dogs in the world is a Westie called “Sugaray” who is approaching his 21st birthday.

Petite and pretty Yorkshire Terriers are fragile, which can cut their lives short, bringing down their average lifespan to 14-15 years. 

However, it’s not uncommon to see these small dogs live into their late teens and twenties with the right care.

The Lakeland Terrier is another feisty northern breed with a long life. 

These tenacious terriers tend to cross the rainbow bridge at 15.5 years, although individuals have been known to reach their 18th birthday.

The Chihuahua’s average lifespan is only a few months better than average because their small size can make them vulnerable to accidents.

However, many Chihuahuas live into their late teens and twenties, making this confident little canine one of the longest-living dog breeds as well as one of the smallest. 

In fact, the oldest living dog in the world is 

The striking Swedish Vallhund looks like a wolf crossed with a Corgi, and it’s one of the hardiest and longest-living dog breeds on the planet. 

Their minimum age of death is higher than almost any other breed, they tend to live for 15 years, and many dogs make it to their late teens.

Bearded Collies are the biggest breed on this list and another active herding breed. 

These dogs regularly appear in studies on 

, with almost every pooch making it into their teens. 

The best-kept Bearded Collies have been known to celebrate 19 birthdays before crossing the rainbow bridge.

If you couldn’t already tell, terriers dominate this list of long-living dogs, and the scruffy Border Terrier is no exception. 

Many of these plucky pooches make it to their late teens and twenties. So with a healthy lifestyle and a lot of love, you could spend more than two decades with your beloved Border.

Tibetan Spaniels tend to live 3.5 years longer than the average for all dogs, and many make it to their late teens. 

 does make them prone to a few more health problems than other long-lived dog breeds.

 on canine life expectancy, the Jack Russell Terrier was the top dog. They had the longest lifespan throughout their life, and individuals often reach an astonishing 19 years old.

Across multiple studies, mixed breeds and crossbreeds often came out on top as some of the healthiest and longest-living dogs.

, more of them are mutts, mongrels, crossbreeds, and strays than any breed.

, these are dogs with multiple breeds and bloodlines which creates “hybrid vigour”. This makes crosses less prone to certain medical conditions and genetic diseases.

Although you might not pick what breed your dog is based on how long they might live, you’ll certainly want to do everything you can to make sure your pet lives a long, happy, healthy life.

The strongest influence on a dog’s lifespan is their body weight. Typically the lower their body weight, the longer they live.

a shorter life and increased health issues

 than obese ones and stay healthy and active for longer. 

Keeping your dog at a normal weight will give you more quality time with your canine companion.

Regular exercise will help to prevent your pooch from piling on the pounds, but it can also help your dog to live longer too because there's a 

 with higher energy expenditure with a longer lifespan. (That would explain why lively little Terriers and herding breeds tend to live so long!)

 and practising preventative care like routine wellness checks with the vet, 

, and vaccinations can also prevent illness. That means fewer stressful (

) vet visits and a longer, healthier, and more active life for your furry friend.

Dr Louisa Lane

The average life expectancy for dogs is up to 13-14 years, but some breeds buck the trend and live into their late teens and twenties. Rehoming or buying one of these 10 longest-living dog breeds could give you longer with your furry friend. You can also maximise any dog’s lifespan by feeding them a balanced diet, providing plenty of exercise, and keeping them at a healthy weight.

10 of the longest-living dog breeds in the world

Despite their name, French Bulldogs originated in England as a smaller or “toy” version of the Bulldog that was better suited to being a companion animal. 

Frenchies were popular with lace workers from Nottingham, who later moved to France to find work in the Victorian era. 

The French loved the tiny Bulldog and bred dogs to have a certain look with large heads and ears, big eyes, and squashed noses. This created the flat-faced (brachycephalic) French Bulldog that we know today.

French Bulldogs are small and stocky dogs, with a lot of muscle packed on a little body. 

They have short sleek fur, short curly tails, and upright “bat ears”. However, they're best known for their flat faces, with short snouts and wrinkles.

French Bulldogs are usually brindle or fawn with white markings or black masks. You can also get pied bulldogs, which are white with patches of darker colours.

Although blue French Bulldogs are highly sought after, it isn’t a recognised colour according to the breed standards. (Neither is white or cream.) You might still see one on a walk though!

French Bulldogs are cheeky dogs with huge personalities despite their small size. The typical French Bulldog temperament is curious, mischievous, and playful. They’re also very loving and affectionate with their families.

French Bulldogs temperaments can also include a strong-willed and stubborn streak, which means they’re not the easiest dog to train or the most obedient. However, they are smart and a little greedy (“food-motivated”,) which can help to make training easier.

Remember, genetics plays a part in your dog's personality because puppies inherit temperaments from their parents. A good French Bulldog breeder should only breed healthy dogs, but they must focus on breeding good temperaments too. You can find out how to find a good breeder 

How much exercise do French Bulldogs need?

French Bulldogs are typically clownish, mischievous, and lively. 

Some people claim the breed is “lazy”, however this is often a sign that a dog has a serious health issue - like Brachycephalic Syndrome - which makes breathing hard and exercise unendurable.

French Bulldogs need 45-60 minutes of exercise a day. This helps to keep them fit and prevent obesity. 

In warm weather, you will need to exercise your French Bulldog carefully because brachycephalic dogs are prone to overheating.

French Bulldogs have short, sleek fur which doesn’t require a lot of grooming, but you could brush it every now and again to remove dirt and dust between baths.

Occasionally you may need to bathe your Bulldog. You might have to use a medicated shampoo or a prescribed ear cleaner if they develop skin infections due to allergies, which French Bulldogs are prone to.

In addition, their wrinkly folds of skin trap dirt and bacteria easily. These folds may need regular cleaning under the direction of your vet to prevent infection.

You will also need to trim their claws at least once a month to prevent them from overgrowing.

Because they are a brachycephalic breed, French Bulldogs are prone to certain medical conditions due to their extreme shape.

You can find out more about the health of brachy breeds and how owners can contribute to ethical breeding and the health of future puppies by listening to our podcast.

A unique little dog with a big personality. French Bulldogs are one of the most popular dog breeds in the UK, but their distinctive and extreme body shape makes them much more likely to suffer from serious medical issues compared to other breeds.

Everything you need to know about: French Bulldogs

The theft of a beloved pet is one of the most harrowing experiences an owner could possibly go through, so what support is there for victims of animal thieves?

Not too long ago there was little that police could do, but thanks to this week’s guest 

, CEO of the Stolen and Missing Pets Alliance, where there’s growing support for owners and pets.

 we talk about Debbie’s own journey after retrieving her two dogs, what you can do to prevent pet theft, and sources of aid if you’re a victim.

If you have a topic you'd like us to cover in a future episode, or if you have any questions for our guests, tell us on 

Podcast #2: Disappearing dogs

, where we’re kicking off a series of tips for looking after your little loved ones with a look at the growing number of obese pets.

, a Vet and Clinic Director, joins your host Rhiannon for a detailed chat on how to combat pet obesity, tips for tailoring your pet’s calorie intake, whether a vegan diet works for your animal, and much more.

Podcast #1: The Pet Obesity Epidemic

Amongst all the excitement of deciding to get a dog, it can be easy to just focus on finding your perfect pet and bringing them home.

However, there are many different things to figure out before you bring home a new furry friend. That's why we fetched expert answers from 

 about everything you should know before bringing home a new dog. 

Whether you're looking to buy a puppy from 

, here's her advice on how to find the right dog for you, ethical places to find a pet, and what you should be asking breeders and shelters about your new dog.

My family is thinking of getting a dog. How can I go about choosing the right breed for us? 

It really is essential that people pick dogs that suit their lifestyle and their family dynamic. I’m a huge fan of adoption and the good centres can really help with this assessment. 

Lots of people pick dogs based on popular breeds or celebrities and social media but these can be disastrous choices if not properly researched. You need to be very honest about your financial situation, how much room you have and how active you are. 

Also, I would love more people to talk to their vets before getting a certain breed to find out about needs, costs, and health issues. 

Fundamentally, I would like to see more people choose proper mongrels (not designer crossbreeds!) and/or look for breeders who are more concerned about health and temperament than looks.

If I decide to get a dog from a breeder, how can I find a reputable one?

 have great advice about how to avoid puppy farm dogs and unscrupulous breeders. 

 make sure you see the puppy with its mother and siblings in the home environment. Never buy a puppy because you feel sorry for it. 

It’s very important that every puppy buyer should use the 

AWF puppy contract and puppy information pack

. This is free to download and is the best tool to help prospective owners get the healthiest, most well-adjusted puppy possible. If a breeder won’t sign this, walk away. Please! 

What documentation should I ask the breeder for? 

Make sure you know what the health problems are in the breed you are looking at. Talk to your vet and look at the 

 about what health tests the parents and/or puppy should have had. 

Sadly, pedigrees have plenty of health issues that can be devastating for the dog and the family. If a breeder has not done the recommended health tests for the breed do NOT buy the puppy. Only when owners start expecting more form breeders will change happen. 

As I said above, the most important document to make sure you get is a signed, completed 

. This will ensure the health questions and many others are asked.

Lots of owners get hung up on pedigree certificates. These are not a guarantee of health, and often can be the opposite if the same names appear time and again on it.

What should I ask the breeder the first time I go to visit the puppy?

Everything! You need to ask about health, temperament, socialisation and habituation. These are essential to ensure you have the best chance of finding a good, well-adjusted, family pet. 

Ask about worming and vaccinations and diet. I personally would never buy a puppy from anyone using homoeopathic vaccines or medicines and I would never buy a puppy from a breeder feeding raw food.

Something that many owners forget is to expect the breeder to ask them questions. Good breeders will want to be absolutely sure that their puppies are going to good homes. If a breeder doesn’t seem to care what your circumstances are or how much you know about caring for your new puppy, I would be very wary.

What red flags should I watch out for when finding a breeder? What should I never do?

If I decide to rescue or adopt a dog, where are the best places to do that?

Stick with the big organisations such as 

If you have a local adoption centre feel free to have a look around, but you want to be sure they are good at behavioural assessments and are happy to help with follow up issues if they arise. 

I would always ask people to consider adoption, even if they don’t think it’s for them. You’ve got nothing to lose spending a couple of hours wandering round an adoption centre. You might just fall in love and there are so many dogs out there looking for homes. 

It is my opinion that owners should look to adopt locally. The risk of infectious diseases when adopting from overseas is very high and the dogs can have significant behavioural problems because they are not used to home life. 

I know it feels like a noble thing to do, but there are thousands of dogs already here that need homes!

Is it OK to buy or rehome a dog online, from somewhere like Gumtree? 

Most people buy everything online these days and reputable breeders will be online too. 

I would definitely avoid sites such as Gumtree, because it can be very difficult to weed out the puppy farms and the unscrupulous people importing puppies that are too young to leave their mothers. 

 is good, and well worth a look for lots of pet-buying questions.

Getting a new dog is a big deal! What are the basic things I should do to prepare myself and my home for this new member of the family?

When looking to buy from a breeder, Dr Emma Milne BVSc FRCVS (Emma the Vet) explains the importance of requesting proper health tests, using the AWF puppy contract, and avoiding unscrupulous breeders and puppy farms.

Emma is a big advocate of adoption and "proper mongrels", and recommends all would-be owners visit a rescue centre to see if they fall in love! 

Breeder or rescue, always talk to a vet about your new dog's needs, health issues, and cost of care before you bring them home.

What your pets want you to know

Podcast #3: Breeding Ethics, Not Aesthetics

8 ways to stop your dog being scared of the vet

Behaviourist Dr. Kendal Shepherd on … Training your dog to like the vet

10 of the longest-living dog breeds in the world

Everything you need to know about: French Bulldogs

Podcast #2: Disappearing dogs

Podcast #1: The Pet Obesity Epidemic

Emma the Vet on ... What to know before bringing home a new dog

Everything you need to know about: Cockapoos

How to entertain and stimulate your indoor cat

How to keep your pet’s teeth healthy

From plaque to extract: how dental disease progresses in pets

11 important ways to take good care of your pet

What you need to know before buying a dog from a breeder

10 things you need to know about adopting a rescue dog in the UK

6 commonly asked questions about cat microchipping

The new law on cat microchipping - what does it mean for me and my cat?

Top tips for ethically adopting from overseas

What you need to know about adopting a dog from overseas

Easter treats your dog or cat must not eat

Top tips for training your pup on and off-lead

Is it safe to let my dog off-lead? What to know before you take your pup to the dog park

How much do vet bills cost? What you need to know

Louisa the Vet on … Neutering your pet

Dental disease: the worst thing not covered by pet insurance

Christmas crisis: £4100 vet bill for dog who ate turkey