Guy Wants To Get A Purebred Pug, His Friend Tries To Prove Why It’s Animal Cruelty With Skull Comparison
If a friend tells you that you’re making a mistake, you should at least hear them out. After all, it only shows that they care. So, when Imgur user NoNienNietNon heard that their buddy was getting a purebred dog, they tried their best to convince them to look at other breeds instead of pugs, mainly because of all the health problems these brachycephalic dogs are so prone to.
One concerned person tried to convince their friend to not get a pug
Comparing the breed’s skull those of other dogs, they explained why pugs are so prone to health problems
Pugs’ history goes all the way back to the Chinese Han dynasty (B.C. 206 to A.D. 200). Sources say that Chinese Emperors really valued this dog breed, and kept the pups in luxury. They even sent soldiers to guard the doggos. Now, pugs are one of the most popular dog breeds and are a part of families from all over the world. However, these pups have a lot of health issues worry about.
Image credits: veroyama
“The dog types and breeds that are increasing in popularity unfortunately are plagued by a plethora of different health problems – we are talking about issues from head to tail,” Dr Rowena Packer from the Royal Veterinary College told The Guardian. “Whenever we’ve got breeds that do have health problems increasing in popularity naturally we are really concerned about that.”
Image credits: Franco Lautieri
“We see more short-skulled dogs in publicity and that could be making people more aware of them, and how very charming these dogs can be,” Professor Paul McGreevy added. “These dogs are dying, we think, four years earlier than dogs of the same size with normal-shaped skulls. “Because they have got all of the tissues in their head that a normal dog has, but they have less room, they get dental crowding and they also get the soft palette hanging down – this skull deformation is what gives them the [breathing] sounds,” he said, referring to the snuffling, snorting sounds such breeds often make.
Image credits: Dr. Jeffrey Schoenebeck
He also said that the wrinkles on their face – caused by excess skin – can lead to eczema and other skin disorders as well as eye problems, while the preference for large heads and small waists in such dogs can cause difficulties during birth. For example, litters of English and French bulldogs are known to require a caesarian section during their delivery.
Image credits: e_haya
Here’s what people said about the whole situation
Am i the only person on earth that doesn't like the way Pugs look? Don't want to make a pun but i find them quite pugly.
You are not alone. Pugliness exists indeed. Although to me the problem is not the look, but the cruelty of this business. Anyway: one more vote for the nut cute debate.
I agree, don't like it when animals are bred like this. Let nature find the right path on it's own, go cut your own nose short if you think that is beauty.
You are not alone in this at all. I have never liked the squished face look for dogs or cats. With pugs, I feel sorry for them because they sound like they are struggling to breathe.
They look like shit. Nothing is cute about them and absolutely nothing is cute about animal cruelty!!!
I don't like them at all! It's not only their faces, they are unpredictable, because you can't distinguish growling from breathing and they can't send any social signals with these tails, coats, ears and wrinkles. They get tired immediately and always have infections. Every time I see them approaching my corgi, my heart sinks, because I can't bloody tell if they are going to attack or not! The cute Norfolk Terrier, whose picture was used in the article is 100% cuter, 100% more character and 100% cooler. I love working or mixed-breed dogs and that's exactly the reason I chose to get acquainted to dogs with a Pembroke corgi: compact, intelligent, though and capable worker that is generally healthy, except for the spine in older age, is easy to read, maintain and care for. Spot the difference to pugs, that are hard to read, die of cancer at 5, can't regulate their own temperature and has their own, breed-specific disease?
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
You have never had a Pug.
I am totally on board with you, can't understand why this is cute
Me too
They can be cute despite their deformity, but not because of it.
No, they're hideous. I have a friend who breeds them, they're awful. I don't like the look of bulldogs either, but pugs with their buggy eyes and awful breathing give me the creeps. If I were to get a dog I'd adopt a mut.
You seem to hate them based purely on look. Are you aware of the fact that they cannot help the way they look? Don’t you feel sorry that their looks cause them to have health problems instead of just disliking them for looking “ugly”?
They can’t help the way they look. Poor babies have so many health problems
They can't help the way they look but humans can - they caused it.
But humans do NOT have to keep breeding them. I feel sorry for them, and think they are ugly.
I agree. I think they are hideous. A friend loves them - I can't bear to be around them. The snorting and snuffling - and snoring, dear lord. Poor thing stinks to hell too, the skin folds on her face always have to be medicated because of some fungal shit on her face... pitiful being. Sweet as pie, but gross.
This is like tiger x lion breed: tion / liger. These are unhealthy and stay growing till their death. Pugs are not normal dogs. They’re also an unhealthy mix. Very sad...
get this shirt>>https://diptostee.us/fuckyourfeelings
Its our fault that they look that way- they used to be normal looking, until genetic mutation's effect with years and years of "purebreeders" led it to a squashed face
look it up and they have pictures of pugs before selective breeding
To each his own..
Wow, I have wanted to get my son a pug for the longest time. Thank you for showing me all this and educating me. I will definitely be much more careful when choosing our future dog
Whatever you decide to do, please remember to adopt, don't shop. There are millions of unwanted cats and dogs sitting in shelters getting ready to be euthanized right this second.
If you're set on a particular breed, there are breed specific rescue organisations.
I cannot upvote this comment enough! <3
It's Ritchie, it's about lowering demand. Whilst me not buying one dog from a store won't have an immediate affect, if we all decide not to buy our pets from the store, they won't bother to keep buying them from the puppy mills they usually get them from. It's the bigger picture you've gotta look at.
Never buy a dog from a shop. Do buy from a responsible breeder if you want a specific breed.
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
I am all for adopting, but if you are set on a specific breed, ensure that they are from a reputable breeder (which is going to cost money) and are not breeding for the likes of the pugs in this article, or are in it for the £££. Many breeds look completely different from their original characteristics from 100 years ago, and very few are better off for it. The bulldog is another one with breathing issues.
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
Dogs and other animals in shops go to the shelter if they're not bought anyway. The adopt, don't shop things is kinda bull.
I am on the adopt don't shop "bandwagon". About 2 yrs ago I was given a sweet loving dog for mothers day. The baby (1 1/2 yrs) had been dumped at the humane society 2x. He is the BEST (ok a bit stubborn ) but PLEASE remember these dogs did not have a choice... they are not fashion statements, these are members of your family that you give an oath to look after them and treat them well.
Couldn't agree more about the 'not fashion statements'.
There are people cross breeding pugs with terriers to push their nose back out, they’re called retro-pugs. If you want a pug you should definitely look into one of them instead. They have a much more functional body but still look very much like a pug!
Most responsible shelters will do character assessments on their animals; easier do do on adult dogs. And you get a dog that will suit you/your family. Personality is very important. Looks not so much. Bless you for being willing to learn and research!
At least, get it from a shelter. These breeds are prone to being abandoned because people realise that their health issues make them too expensive
Want a dog that's more likely to be healthy? Get a mutt. Seriously.
We adopted our pug (former puppy mill forced breeder) from a wonderful rescue. There are adoptable dogs of literally every single breed in shelters waiting for their homes and even breed specific rescues out there if you really have your heart on a specific one.
Thank you for being open and thoughtful to this discussion. I wish everyone could be so responsible. As others have said, if you want a specific breed, nearly every one has breed specific rescue/adoptions on the web. Your son is lucky to have such a thoughtful mum!
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
Get the pug, they are great with kids..
My S.O's family had a pug for the longest time, poor little thing only had one eye because one kept falling out when she was just a pup, so the vet finally removed it. They really aren't well equipped for being alive, I mean what animal's eye falls out?
What... what do you mean 'kept falling out'? Did it become enlarged and protrude or did it literally leave the socket?
Some have eye sockets that are too shallow for the actual eyeball and so, yes, the eye falls out. It's appalling.
It is sickening that still people breed them because you can make money selling malformed dogs to other people. Because it doesn't matter that the animal is suffering, it is only important that it looks cute! /s
This is sickening.
The socket was too shallow and it just kept falling out so finally the vet removed it to spare her from the trauma of having an eye fall out and then going to the vet to have the eye put back in. She lived a long life and just recently passed at 17, she had constant health problems though ( spine issues, kidney and bladder trouble, sight and hearing problems, neurological problems, terrible allergies, and skin conditions) she lived for so long because her people loved her and spared no expense to keep her going. Seeing her always suffering from something convinced me of the cruelty of breeding for these traits.
I've watched a german Talkshow once, where an animal pathologist spoke about the short nosed breeds. They need to bring up about four times the strength for every single breath they take and there are many dogs that lose their eye by jumping off the couch, because the eye socket is too small to prevent it from happening.
My neighbor also has a pug who had an eye removed. I don't recall what the exact situation was but that dog sounds awful.
Am i the only person on earth that doesn't like the way Pugs look? Don't want to make a pun but i find them quite pugly.
You are not alone. Pugliness exists indeed. Although to me the problem is not the look, but the cruelty of this business. Anyway: one more vote for the nut cute debate.
I agree, don't like it when animals are bred like this. Let nature find the right path on it's own, go cut your own nose short if you think that is beauty.
You are not alone in this at all. I have never liked the squished face look for dogs or cats. With pugs, I feel sorry for them because they sound like they are struggling to breathe.
They look like shit. Nothing is cute about them and absolutely nothing is cute about animal cruelty!!!
I don't like them at all! It's not only their faces, they are unpredictable, because you can't distinguish growling from breathing and they can't send any social signals with these tails, coats, ears and wrinkles. They get tired immediately and always have infections. Every time I see them approaching my corgi, my heart sinks, because I can't bloody tell if they are going to attack or not! The cute Norfolk Terrier, whose picture was used in the article is 100% cuter, 100% more character and 100% cooler. I love working or mixed-breed dogs and that's exactly the reason I chose to get acquainted to dogs with a Pembroke corgi: compact, intelligent, though and capable worker that is generally healthy, except for the spine in older age, is easy to read, maintain and care for. Spot the difference to pugs, that are hard to read, die of cancer at 5, can't regulate their own temperature and has their own, breed-specific disease?
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
You have never had a Pug.
I am totally on board with you, can't understand why this is cute
Me too
They can be cute despite their deformity, but not because of it.
No, they're hideous. I have a friend who breeds them, they're awful. I don't like the look of bulldogs either, but pugs with their buggy eyes and awful breathing give me the creeps. If I were to get a dog I'd adopt a mut.
You seem to hate them based purely on look. Are you aware of the fact that they cannot help the way they look? Don’t you feel sorry that their looks cause them to have health problems instead of just disliking them for looking “ugly”?
They can’t help the way they look. Poor babies have so many health problems
They can't help the way they look but humans can - they caused it.
But humans do NOT have to keep breeding them. I feel sorry for them, and think they are ugly.
I agree. I think they are hideous. A friend loves them - I can't bear to be around them. The snorting and snuffling - and snoring, dear lord. Poor thing stinks to hell too, the skin folds on her face always have to be medicated because of some fungal shit on her face... pitiful being. Sweet as pie, but gross.
This is like tiger x lion breed: tion / liger. These are unhealthy and stay growing till their death. Pugs are not normal dogs. They’re also an unhealthy mix. Very sad...
get this shirt>>https://diptostee.us/fuckyourfeelings
Its our fault that they look that way- they used to be normal looking, until genetic mutation's effect with years and years of "purebreeders" led it to a squashed face
look it up and they have pictures of pugs before selective breeding
To each his own..
Wow, I have wanted to get my son a pug for the longest time. Thank you for showing me all this and educating me. I will definitely be much more careful when choosing our future dog
Whatever you decide to do, please remember to adopt, don't shop. There are millions of unwanted cats and dogs sitting in shelters getting ready to be euthanized right this second.
If you're set on a particular breed, there are breed specific rescue organisations.
I cannot upvote this comment enough! <3
It's Ritchie, it's about lowering demand. Whilst me not buying one dog from a store won't have an immediate affect, if we all decide not to buy our pets from the store, they won't bother to keep buying them from the puppy mills they usually get them from. It's the bigger picture you've gotta look at.
Never buy a dog from a shop. Do buy from a responsible breeder if you want a specific breed.
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
I am all for adopting, but if you are set on a specific breed, ensure that they are from a reputable breeder (which is going to cost money) and are not breeding for the likes of the pugs in this article, or are in it for the £££. Many breeds look completely different from their original characteristics from 100 years ago, and very few are better off for it. The bulldog is another one with breathing issues.
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
Dogs and other animals in shops go to the shelter if they're not bought anyway. The adopt, don't shop things is kinda bull.
I am on the adopt don't shop "bandwagon". About 2 yrs ago I was given a sweet loving dog for mothers day. The baby (1 1/2 yrs) had been dumped at the humane society 2x. He is the BEST (ok a bit stubborn ) but PLEASE remember these dogs did not have a choice... they are not fashion statements, these are members of your family that you give an oath to look after them and treat them well.
Couldn't agree more about the 'not fashion statements'.
There are people cross breeding pugs with terriers to push their nose back out, they’re called retro-pugs. If you want a pug you should definitely look into one of them instead. They have a much more functional body but still look very much like a pug!
Most responsible shelters will do character assessments on their animals; easier do do on adult dogs. And you get a dog that will suit you/your family. Personality is very important. Looks not so much. Bless you for being willing to learn and research!
At least, get it from a shelter. These breeds are prone to being abandoned because people realise that their health issues make them too expensive
Want a dog that's more likely to be healthy? Get a mutt. Seriously.
We adopted our pug (former puppy mill forced breeder) from a wonderful rescue. There are adoptable dogs of literally every single breed in shelters waiting for their homes and even breed specific rescues out there if you really have your heart on a specific one.
Thank you for being open and thoughtful to this discussion. I wish everyone could be so responsible. As others have said, if you want a specific breed, nearly every one has breed specific rescue/adoptions on the web. Your son is lucky to have such a thoughtful mum!
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
Get the pug, they are great with kids..
My S.O's family had a pug for the longest time, poor little thing only had one eye because one kept falling out when she was just a pup, so the vet finally removed it. They really aren't well equipped for being alive, I mean what animal's eye falls out?
What... what do you mean 'kept falling out'? Did it become enlarged and protrude or did it literally leave the socket?
Some have eye sockets that are too shallow for the actual eyeball and so, yes, the eye falls out. It's appalling.
It is sickening that still people breed them because you can make money selling malformed dogs to other people. Because it doesn't matter that the animal is suffering, it is only important that it looks cute! /s
This is sickening.
The socket was too shallow and it just kept falling out so finally the vet removed it to spare her from the trauma of having an eye fall out and then going to the vet to have the eye put back in. She lived a long life and just recently passed at 17, she had constant health problems though ( spine issues, kidney and bladder trouble, sight and hearing problems, neurological problems, terrible allergies, and skin conditions) she lived for so long because her people loved her and spared no expense to keep her going. Seeing her always suffering from something convinced me of the cruelty of breeding for these traits.
I've watched a german Talkshow once, where an animal pathologist spoke about the short nosed breeds. They need to bring up about four times the strength for every single breath they take and there are many dogs that lose their eye by jumping off the couch, because the eye socket is too small to prevent it from happening.
My neighbor also has a pug who had an eye removed. I don't recall what the exact situation was but that dog sounds awful.