A study conducted by The Royal Veterinary College warns pugs face dire health risks, and concluded the dog breed can "no longer be considered as a typical dog from a health perspective."
The popular breed is known and loved for its flat-faced look, bulging eyes, wrinkled forehead and nubby tail, but the consequences of breeding for their specific appearance have become detrimental to their overall health. To understand the impacts more, the study looked at 4,308 pugs and 21,835 dogs of other breeds in the U.K., comparing their health profiles and odds of developing 40 common disorders.
The study found that pugs had an increased risk for 23 disorders, including being 54 times more likely to have brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome, 51 times more likely to have narrowed nostrils, 11 times more likely to have skin fold infections. In addition, 17.4% of the pugs were obese, compared to just 6.9% of other dogs.
However, pugs were found to have a reduced risk for seven disorders, including heart murmurs, wounds and aggression compared to other dog breeds.
Click here to view related media.But ultimately the study found that pugs' predisposition to disease significantly outweighed their disease protections. It concluded that pugs have critical health challenges and that the "highly differing heath profiles between Pugs and other dogs in the UK suggest that the Pug has diverged substantially from mainstream dog breeds and can no longer be considered as a typical dog from a health perspective."
The popularity of pugs has seen a sharp rise over the past 20 years, with the study citing annual registration of pugs rising from 2,116 in 2005 to over 6,000 in 2020. And they're just as popular across the pond. The American Kennel Club currently lists them as the 28th most popular dog breed out of 204 breeds in the U.S.
But experts warn dog-lovers of the increased health issues brachycephalic breeds like pugs, French bulldogs and English bulldogs experience, and say to consider the health of the animal when looking for a new furry friend.
Earlier this year, Norway went so far as to ban the breeding of certain dogs, including English bulldogs and cavalier King Charles spaniels, for health reasons after an animal rights group petitioned an Oslo court, according to USA Today.
Helen Ray
Helen Ray is a social media manager for CBS News. She is also a digital reporter focusing on culture and technology.
Pugs can be prone to gaining weight that can make breathing problems worse, so it is important to keep them active and avoid any weight gain.
Your Pug will need up to an hour of exercise a day. This should include shorter walks, with extra playtime and lots of brain-stimulating activities. Several shorter walks throughout the day can help to stop them from becoming too tired or overheated, which is a great way to keep them active throughout the day.
Keep a close eye on your Pug as they can tire easily due to their difficulties getting enough oxygen. As soon as you start to notice them struggling to breathe, stop and make sure they get enough of a rest. You will also need to avoid exercising them in the heat as this can cause even more problems since they can be at higher risk of heatstroke. In warm weather, opt to walk them early in the morning or later in the evening when it’s cooler and make sure to keep an eye on them for early signs of overheating so you can stop before things get dangerous.
Grooming
Even though their coats are short, Pugs can still shed loads. Luckily, they tend to love being groomed as it means a lot of attention all on them.
You’ll need to brush your Pug’s coat at least once a week to keep it in good condition. If you bath your Pug, you’ll need to make sure you dry them off straight away so they don’t get cold. Pay close attention to the folds in their skin, as these are the perfect breeding ground for bacterial and fungal infections if left damp. You can teach your Pug from an early age to love tooth brushing and nail clipping so you can keep those pearly whites and paws in great condition.
Pugs and children
Pugs adore company and really love people of all ages. They often get on well with children, especially if the Pug loves to play. However, it’s best to keep an eye on them with children to make sure neither your Pug or children get too boisterous and end up accidentally hurting each other.
As with every breed, you should always teach children how to approach and play with dogs with care and kindness, to prevent any issues. Always supervise children and vulnerable people with your Pug and make sure you can recognise the signs of unhappiness or anxiety in your dog to help avoid any conflicts.
Pugs and other pets
Pugs are known for getting along well with other pets and dogs. If well-socialised, they’re usually very friendly towards people and other dogs and will often live happily with pets of all species – just make sure the other species are happy with them too! Introductions still need to be done carefully, though, just in case.
If your Pug is properly socialised there’s no reason they won’t get along with other dogs while you’re out and about. Good, kind training will also help them become well-rounded dogs that keep calm in new situations.
Food
Your Pug’s diet will vary depending on their age and any health conditions they may have. You’ll need to feed them a complete, commercially available dog food to keep them slim and healthy.
Your vet or vet nurse will be able to tell you how much your dog should be eating. It’s best to split their daily allowance into two meals to be given in the morning and evening. If you give your dog an occasional treat or use treats for training, remember to take this into account and reduce their daily food allowance. Treats shouldn’t make up more than 10% of their daily calorie intake or it can unbalance their diet.
Keep in mind that Pugs aren’t always the most active of dog and it can be easy for them to pile on the pounds, especially if they’re getting lots of treats. This can really impact on their breathing so it’s really important to avoid. Keep an eye on their weight and don’t regularly feed treats outside of training, as they will often eat anything and everything that comes their way.
You should try to feed your dog at the same time every day to get them into a routine. Remember to leave a gap after eating and before exercising.
The cost of owning a Pug
Sure, pugs are adorable, but they also have some unique characteristics. Here are some things to consider before you adopt one.
When I first saw Rosie, I knew we were soul mates. She came bounding into the kitchen, tongue lolling and eyes bulging, and gave me a big wet pug kiss on my nose. I was hooked. Fast forward two days and I learned what a lot of new pug owners discover quickly: she never leaves my side. Ever.
A few months later, I learned the breed has some other unique traits. So, before you decide to go pug wild here are 10 things you should know.
1. They will follow you around everywhere.
If you're someone who would get irritated by lap dog behaviour, think twice about getting a pug. Whether I'm taking a quick jaunt to the kitchen or a trip to the bathroom, Rosie is right by my side, curly tail wagging. And then when I sit down, she wants to be right up on my lap.
2. They're prone to health problems.
Pugs aren't health nightmares but "they can have a variety of health issues, which, if you're not familiar with, can lead to devastating results," says Blanche Axton, president of the board at Pugalug Pug Rescue in Toronto. Things to be watch for include: - eye scratches - food allergies - a higher-than-normal tendency to react to vaccines - eye- and nose-fold care - breathing problems
In short, pugs can be high-maintenance canines. Get familiar with their health issues and research their breeder before you adopt Fido.
3. They need a lot of attention.
Any dog needs your time and attention to be a happy pet, but many pugs require more face time than other dogs. "Because they do like to be with their people, they're not going to be OK just being left to themselves all the time," says Axton. "They are one of those breeds that, when you get home from work, you better be prepared to devote some time to them."
4. They're not couch potatoes (mostly).
While they do enjoy naps, pugs thrive on activity, including regular playtime and walks. So if you work 12-hour days, find a dog walker because a pug can't hold its small bladder for that long.
5. They shed—a lot.
Need proof? Come to my home and take a look at the carpet, couch, chairs, kitchen, clothes and bed…. "Some of the pug books says they are low- to medium-shed breeds," says Axton, "but some of them are double coated so they blow their coat in addition to shedding all the time."
6. They can be intrusive.
Pugs are what I like to call "space invaders." They tend to rush up to people and other dogs, which can lead to a negative response. "There's a certain assumption—I think on most pugs' part—that every other living thing thinks they're fabulous," says Axton. "So they can get themselves into dicey situations."
7. They're smart.
Just because they haven't been bred to be work dogs, doesn't mean pugs are stupid. Pugs can be trained just as easily as other dogs, including agility, scent detection, tracking and working with seniors. Axton recounts that she had a pug named Pete who, "ended up being a palliative dog, working with people who were at the end stages of their life."
8. They can take time to house train.
Pugs aren't fond of inclement weather, so you may have to deal with a dog that refuses to go to the bathroom during a snowstorm. Take the time to reinforce outdoor pottying, no matter how much they resist going outside Sticking to a schedule will help your pug learn what he or she should be doing. Remember, pugs respond to positive reinforcement, not punishment. Pugs are motivated by food, so give yours a treat and lots of praise when he or she goes potty outside.
9. They will eat almost anything.
I've seen Rosie eat sticks, gum, doughnuts, pasta noodles and even lollipops (wrapper included). Pugs are food driven and they won't give up their treat easily if you're trying to get them to drop it. To avoid a trip to the vet, make sure not to leave food lying around.
10. They're total love bugs.
Once you get a pug, he or she will be your bestie for life. They love belly rubs, head scratches, giving kisses and snuggling with their human, and they will gaze at you as if you're the best person in the world. Give them the love they deserve and they will love you forever. I've had Rosie for two and a half years and despite her quirks, I don't regret having her in my life for a second. You could say she has me wrapped around her little paw.
If you're looking to adopt or buy any dog, research the breed to avoid heartaches (and headaches). Head over to the Pug Club of Canada, recommends Axton. Come prepared with questions, such as what the dog's temperament is like, what kind of health testing they've done and if they've seen any health problems with the parents. "If they can't answer those questions," says Axton, "run away."
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