Brachycephalic dogs remain highly popular despite the well-documented health problems associated with their conformation. The aim of this study was to investigate differences in the bonding between humans and dogs, behavioral characteristics, awareness of clinical breed-related ailments, and purchasing intentions among Italian brachycephalic dog owners (BDOs) and non-brachycephalic dog owners (NBDOs). A questionnaire, including the DORS and C-BARQ scales, was administered to 320 BDOs and 408 NBDOs. Despite the occurrence of breed-related disorders, 81% of BDOs rated their dog’s health status as good to excellent. Most BDOs were aware of the prevalence of these disorders in the broader brachycephalic dog population. Character and appearance were the main motivations for choosing these breeds. Owners’ satisfaction with specific aspects of ownership, such as veterinary costs and behavior, generally met expectations. Mean scores of perceived emotional closeness (PEC) and dog–owner interaction (DOI) were significantly higher among BDOs compared to NBDOs, while the perceived cost (PC) mean score was higher among NBDOs. The C-BARQ scores for trainability, excitability, and separation-related behaviors were significantly higher in BDOs than in NBDOs. Despite the growing awareness of health issues, the popularity of brachycephalic breeds persists. Scientific evidence may support a revision of brachycephalic breed standards, prioritizing animal welfare while preserving desirable aesthetic traits, promoting more ethical breeding.

Shelter dogs may experience long-term environmental and social stressors that can affect their behaviour and welfare. Some individuals show reduced activity, low responsiveness to environmental stimuli, and limited interaction with their surroundings. This pilot study investigated behavioural patterns and allopregnanolone concentrations in shelter dogs exhibiting these behavioural characteristics. Ten shelter dogs were enrolled and divided into two groups: five dogs showing depression-like patterns and five matched control dogs. Each dog wore a three-axis accelerometer for 30 days to quantify activity levels. Behavioural observations were conducted using video recordings, and hair samples were collected at baseline and after 30 days to assess allopregnanolone concentrations as a potential stress marker. Dogs in the case group showed significantly longer resting time than controls (p ≤ 0.05), indicating reduced activity levels. Trends toward lower levels of exploratory and social behaviours were also observed, although the differences were not statistically significant. Allopregnanolone concentrations ranged from 0.6 to 4.6 pg/mg and showed considerable inter-individual variability, with no significant differences detected between groups. These findings provide preliminary evidence of behavioural and physiological alterations in shelter dogs displaying depression-like patterns. However, further studies with larger populations are needed to validate these findings and improve welfare assessment in shelter environments.