French bulldogs’ head shape makes sleeping difficult

French bulldogs have shot up in popularity in recent years. This year they even ousted labrador retrievers as the most coveted dog breed in the United States. However, some of their distinct features—which many consider to be their most appealing features—along with their compact size come with a number of health issues.

A recent study out of Hungary reveals that flat-faced dogs such as French bulldogs have difficulty sleeping because of an unusual attribute: their head shape.

Probably because they don’t get enough night-time sleep, French bulldogs, specifically, suffer from increased daytime sleepiness. Sleep apnea in Frenchies and other flat-faced dogs including pugs, English bulldogs and Boston terriers is attributable to their shortened heads, or brachycephaly, a condition where the ratio of the skull length to its width is lower than normal.

Read the full story in the Guardian.