Body language and facial expressions are key communication tools amongst all dogs. Whilst dogs can read their conspecifics’ body language very intuitively, we know that humans’ ability to read canine body language can be much more variable.

In brachycephalic breeds, reading facial expressions can be even more challenging still, with a significant impact on how body language is interpreted by not just humans, but other dogs too. The risks to health and welfare associated with brachycephaly are well-documented – but could their ability to communicate be a further cause for concern?

Join this discussion panel, chaired by BVNA Student Council Member Kate Davies, to learn more about how brachycephalic anatomy impacts behaviour and communication. Our expert panel of speakers will provide valuable insights to enable you to be an even better advocate for the brachycephalic patients in your care, and to educate caregivers of these breeds too.

This webinar is presented as part of the BVNA Behaviour Hub project. For more information about the BVNA Behaviour Hub – an exclusive member benefit – visit the hub here.

If you are a BVNA member, you can access this FREE webinar here.

Speakers:

Tom Candy – Tom is a Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourist with the Animal Behaviour and Training Council in the United Kingdom, and a Certified Canine Behaviour Consultant and Certified Shelter Behaviour Specialist with the International Association of Animal Behaviour. He is also Consultant and a member of faculty and CBATI-KA with the Grisha Stewart Academy.

Becka Whitehead – Becka qualified as an RVN in 2019 before continuing her education and completing her masters degree in clinical animal behaviour in 2024. Her dissertation assessed the level of agreement between veterinary staff and animal behaviourists in recognising stress-related body language of brachycephalic and non-brachycephalic dogs. Becka is currently building her behaviour and training skills and working towards full certification/membership. She lives in Jersey, Channel Islands with her three Yorkshire terriers, deaf cat called Mally and Rafiki the ferret.

Jane Williams – Jane is Animal Behaviour and Training Council Registered as a Clinical Animal Behaviourist, and an Animal training Instructor. Jane was the ABTC Chair (2018-20) and is currently a Trustee and its Secretary (2020-25). She has been a full member of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors since 2009, and was its Chair (2017-20). In addition to working with many clients and their dogs, which are identified as brachycephalic, Jane has lived with a number of rescue dogs with shortened faces, including Cavaliers, pugs, Lhasa Apsos and Shih Tzus. This gives her a very personal perspective of this group of dogs and their behaviour, in addition to her professional experience.

If you’d like to access to this webinar. Why not join us today – we’re here to help you on your nursing journey and at every stage of your career. Come and join the biggest community of veterinary nurses in the UK and be part of the BVNA family; http://bvna.org.uk/membership/