Greyhounds are hard to rehome because their elongated snouts make them appear sad and scared

The long face of the greyhound makes them harder to rehome as their elongated snouts make them appear sad and scared, according to scientists.

Edinburgh University researchers presented nearly 2,500 individuals with photos of nine different dogs, including two long-nosed, two short-headed and two in between.

They then asked the participants to describe what emotions they associated with each photo. 

Labradors, beagles, Jack Russells and Staffordshire bull terriers, were said to be the happiest and most compassionate and affectionate. 

Meanwhile, greyhounds, border collies and whippets, all with long faces, recorded the highest for spite and fear.

Long-faced dogs were also the joint saddest alongside flat-faced canines such as pugs. 

Bonnie Brincat, lead author of the study and an animal behaviour expert, said the results could be used to rehome strays and improve dog welfare. 

Greyhounds, border collies and whippets (above), all with long faces, recorded the highest for spite and fear

‘Dogs were the first species to be domesticated by us more than 20,000 years ago and extreme facial forms only really emerged in the last few centuries,’ Dr Lance Workman, a psychologist at the University of South Wales, told The Telegraph. 

‘This long-standing relationship with medium-faced dogs could explain why we view them so positively.’ 

Chris Laurence, former veterinary director of the Dogs Trust, added: ‘This long-standing relationship with medium-faced dogs could explain why we view them so positively.’

It comes as new life expectancy predictions revealed the UK dog breeds that are likely to live the longest.

Long-faced dogs were also the joint saddest alongside flat-faced canines such as pugs

Vets from the Royal Veterinary College assessed 30,563 dogs from 18 breeds to see how life expectancy varies between pooches.

Their results showed that while the average life expectancy for dogs in the UK is 11.2 years, this varies massively between breeds.

Jack Russell Terriers top the list with an average life expectancy of 12.7 years, while French Bulldogs were identified as the breed with the shortest life expectancy of just 4.5 years.

The life tables revealed that the overall average life expectancy at age 0 for the dogs was 11.2 years.

However, the life expectancy varied hugely between breeds.

French Bulldogs (pictured) were only expected to live 4.5 years from age 0, followed by English Bulldogs at 7.4 years, Pugs at 7.7 years and American Bulldogs 7.8 years

Jack Russell Terriers had the greatest life expectancy from age 0 at 12.7 years, followed by Border Collies (12.1 years) and Springer Spaniels (11.92 years).

At the other end of the scale, four flat-faced (brachycephalic) breeds were found to have the shortest life expediencies.

French Bulldogs were only expected to live 4.5 years from age 0, followed by English Bulldogs at 7.4 years, Pugs at 7.7 years and American Bulldogs 7.8 years.

Flat-faced breeds are known to suffer from a range of health issues.

Their broad head shape did not evolve naturally and is instead the result of selective breeding.

As a result, these breeds often suffer from breathing problems, spinal disease and dystocia – slow or difficult labour.

Source: Daily Mail