Why a Pug’s Life Is Torture

Pugs’ plethora of health issues are so severe that they can no longer be considered “typical” dogs, according to the Royal Veterinary College. Researchers have found that pugs and pug mixes are almost twice as likely as other dog breeds to suffer from a disorder or an illness. The characteristic pug nose, curly tail, and small head are all genetic deformities that they’ve been bred by humans to have—all of which significantly affect their health and well-being. Read on for the lowdown on why you should never buy a pug or pug mix.

No Bones About It—Pugs Are One Of the Unhealthiest Dog Breeds

A Pug’s Head Is Too Small for Their Face

Pugs’ skulls have gotten significantly smaller over the years as humans have bred them to meet certain physical attributes. While their heads are shrinking, the rest of the dog is not—meaning that their brains and other soft tissues are getting squished and crammed into a too-small skull. Their reduced-size heads are not equipped to fit their teeth, tongue, eyes, or even skin, which leads to numerous eye, dental, and other problems that are painful and debilitating for the dogs.

Pugs Are a Breathing-Impaired Breed

Pugs are a breathing-impaired breed (BIB) and are 54 times more likely to suffer from brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome—a disease that greatly limits a dog’s ability to breathe—than other types of dogs. They’re often shown in photos with a wide-open mouth and drooping tongue, but that’s because they have to breathe through their mouth since they can’t draw enough air in through their narrow nostrils. It’s like “trying to breathe through a really narrow straw,” according to Dr. Myfanwy Hill, a veterinary surgeon who works at the University of Cambridge.

Anyone who has ever suffered from a respiratory illness that impacted their ability to breathe knows the fear and panic of not being able to take in enough oxygen. To force a dog to spend their life that way to suit humans’ aesthetic preferences is unconscionable. Because pugs struggle for air just sitting still, it can be difficult or even impossible for them to do the things that dogs enjoy most, such as going for a walk or running and playing with other dogs or their guardians. Their inability to exercise predisposes them to even more health issues, including obesity and diabetes. And according to a recent study at the University of California–Los Angeles, their facial deformities may even hamper their ability to smell—a vital sense that dogs rely on to navigate the world as much as humans rely on eyesight. Unscrupulous breeding practices have robbed these dogs of nearly everything that matters to them most.

Their Face Wrinkles Lead to Skin Infections

Pugs are also at higher risk of getting skin infections as a result of the folds of excess skin they’re bred to have. The creases on their face can get dirty and harbor bacteria and other unsanitary substances. Since the dogs can’t clean their skin folds themselves, they’re prone to infection in these areas, which usually causes unrelenting itchiness and painful sores.

The Pug’s Curly Tail Is Often Caused by a Spinal Malformation

The curlicue tail that many pugs have been bred to have is often the result of a malformed, wedge-shaped vertebra called a hemivertebra, which can cause them chronic pain, wobbliness on their hind legs, and incontinence.

Pug for Sale? Buying a Dog Kills a Homeless Dog’s Chances

Buying a pug, a pug mix, or any other dog from a breeder means that a dog in an animal shelter loses a potential family. By adopting a homeless animal from a shelter, you help fight the animal overpopulation crisis. Adoption fees also help support the important daily work that shelters do, including performing spay/neuter procedures, vaccinating animals, and providing them with other veterinary care.

Did You Buy a Pug Who Suffers From These Ailments?

Many “purebred” dogs become ill, suffer from emotional or psychological disorders, or die prematurely because of traits they were bred to have in order to meet standards set by the American Kennel Club (AKC).

If you purchased a dog such as a pug or a member of another AKC-registered breed who struggles with their health or psychological well-being or who died prematurely, we want to hear from you.