Introductory Note
Henry’s Rules were established after the tragic loss of Henry, a five-year-old English Bulldog who passed away during a grooming appointment at a pet resort in St. Louis, MO. Henry’s family and the entire pet resort staff were devastated by his passing. Henry’s Rules were created to ensure no other pet, family or employee endure such a heartbreaking tragedy.
Henry’s Rules
The purpose of Henry’s Rules is to create the safest, most stress-free environment possible for English Bulldogs and other brachycephalic breeds when groomers are working with pets.
What does brachycephalic mean?
“Brachy” means “shortened” and “cephalic” means “head”. The skull bones of brachycephalic dogs are shortened in length, giving the face and nose a “pushed in” appearance. Brachycephalic breeds are prone to difficult and obstructive breathing because of the shape of their head, nose, and throat. Physical activity, hot and humid weather and stress can contribute to their difficulty in breathing.
Brachycephalic Dog Breeds:
Because of their difficulty in breathing, special precautions must be taken when caring for these breeds of dogs.
English Bulldog
French Bulldog
Pug
Pekinese
Boston Terrier
Lhasa Apsos
Shih Tzu
Bull Mastiff
Affenpinscher
Brussels Griffon
Dogue de Bordeaux
English Toy Spaniel
Japanese Chin
Tibetan Spaniel
Shar Pei
Rule #1: No brachycephalic breed should ever have a muzzle placed on him/her without authorization from the pet parent. If the pet is showing signs of aggression, stop what you are doing and contact your manager. The manager will communicate with the pet parent and decide the next steps.
Tip: A pet cone can often be a safe alternative to a muzzle in some situations. Your manager can advise if a pet cone is a good solution. For cats, place a smaller cone inside of a larger cone to prevent them from slipping out of position.
Rule #2: When it’s 80 degrees or warmer, “brachy” watch goes into effect.
“Brachy” watch includes:
- All outdoor activities must take place in shaded areas.
- Shortened outdoor day camp sessions with breaks in between each session.
- Ensure fresh drinking water is always accessible.
- Monitor for signs of over exertion and difficulty breathing. Immediately stop activity if those signs are observed.
Signs a brachycephalic dog is in danger:
- Noticeable rise in the volume of their breathing
- Excessive panting
- Panting that looks or sounds labored
- Bluish-purple or bright red gums
- Difficulty walking
Rule #3: Brachycephalic breeds should never be placed in the Snyder cage dryers. Although these dryers use room temperature air only, brachycephalic breeds can have a hard time breathing with the heavy air flow around them in an enclosed space.
To dry, place the pet in a regular grooming cage with a cage door fan. If using a high velocity dryer on the grooming table or in the tub, turn the air flow down to low when drying the ears forward to the muzzle. This is true when drying the face of any breed.
Rule #4: Caring for the safety and wellbeing of pets, is first and foremost. If a pet is showing signs of stress, stop what you are doing and contact your manager. Your manager will help you decide the best next steps.