, though some or all of them may be the answer, as they apply differently to different breeds.
One theory proposes that the wrinkles block out other scents, allowing the dog to hone in when scouting or taking chase (as may be true for the Bloodhound). Others claim that for some breeds, such as the Bulldog, excess wrinkles were an asset to have when fighting, as it protected the face. Still, for others, wrinkles may simply been a desired look that set the breed apart from so many others.
Though it may not hold true for all breeds with wrinkles, in regard to the Shar Pei, researchers are now able to determine that its extreme wrinkles are due to a hereditary disorder called mucinosis, which causes the body to over-produce hyaluronic acid. This then accumulates under the skin, leading to a deep wrinkling effect.
While there is some overlap between brachycephalic dogs and those with wrinkles, there the Bloodhound is a notable exception. While wrinkling varies from just the face to the entire body, the 12 top breeds known for their wrinkles (face or
full body) are: the Basset Hound, Boxer, Bullmastiff, Bloodhound, Dogue De Bordeaux, English Bulldog, English Mastiff, French Bulldog, Neapolitan Mastiff, Pekingese, Pug, and Shar Pei.