## The "clown of dogs" and its hidden price

The Pug is one of the most adored dogs in the world. With its flat face, big eyes, expressive features, and playful, affectionate nature, it has earned the nickname "clown" for its tendency to make people laugh.

However, beneath this adorable exterior lies a truth that most prospective owners are unaware of: the Pug is one of the dogs with the **highest burden of hereditary diseases** in the world, a consequence of **intensive aesthetic selection** over the past two centuries.

Understanding this reality is essential before adopting one.

## The history: dog of the mandarins

The Pug is an **ancient** breed, originating from **China** (probably as early as 700 B.C.). It was a companion dog for the **imperial mandarins**, bred in royal palaces to accompany the emperor.

It arrived in Europe in the **1500-1600s** via Dutch merchants. It became a fashionable breed in the European courts of the 18th century (loved by Marie Antoinette, Napoleon, Queen Victoria).

Over the last 200 years, **aesthetic selection** has emphasized:
- An increasingly flat face.
- Ever-larger eyes.
- Increasingly wrinkled skin.
- A more curled tail.

Each of these "selections" has led to specific health problems.

## Physical characteristics

- **Weight**: 6-9 kg.
- **Height**: 25-30 cm at the withers.
- **Coat**: short, dense fur. Colors: fawn, black, apricot, silver.
- **Life expectancy**: 12-15 years (with proper care).
- **Muzzle**: brachycephalic (flat).

## Character: the "sweet clown"

**Typical characteristics**:
- **Extremely affectionate**.
- **Social** with everyone (dogs, cats, children).
- **Playful** even as an adult.
- **Lazy** (sleeps a lot, moderate energy).
- **Greedy** (tendency to obesity).
- **Adorable** ability to "be a clown".

**Practical implications**:
- Good family dog.
- Good apartment dog (low energy).
- Tendency to beg for food.
- Needs human closeness (suffers from loneliness).

## The 6 health problems of the Pug

### 1. Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS)

**The number one problem**.

Causes:
- Tiny nostrils (narrowed nostrils).
- Elongated soft palate.
- Relatively thin trachea.

Consequences:
- **Breathing difficulties** during any activity.
- **Pathological snoring**.
- **Heat intolerance** (does not dissipate heat with an open mouth).
- **Risk of anesthesia shock**.
- **Sleep apnea**.

Many Pugs require **corrective surgery** (enlargement of nostrils, removal of excess palate, etc.). Cost: €1,000-2,500.

### 2. Eye problems

Huge and protruding eyes cause:
- **Ulcerative keratitis**: corneal ulcer (very common).
- **Proptosis** (the eye "pops" out of its socket): surgical emergency.
- **Nasal folds** that rub against the cornea: chronic irritation.
- **Distichiasis**: eyelashes growing inward.

Regular eye exams are mandatory.

### 3. Skin problems

Skin folds (forehead, muzzle) cause:
- **Chronic dermatitis** in the folds.
- **Recurring bacterial infections**.
- **Bad odor** in the folds.

Maintenance: **daily cleaning** of the folds with specific wipes.

### 4. Joint problems

- **Hip dysplasia**: common despite small size.
- **Patellar luxation**: recurrent.
- **Necrosis of the femoral head** (Legg-Calvé-Perthes).

Can limit activity even in young dogs.

### 5. PDE (Pug Dog Encephalitis)

Severe neurological condition specific to the breed:
- Necrotizing encephalitis.
- Symptoms: seizures, altered behavior, ataxia.
- **Fatal** in many cases.
- Genetic testing available for breeders.

### 6. Tendency to overweight

- Greedy dog + slow metabolism + propensity for a sedentary lifestyle = easy obesity.
- Obesity worsens all other problems (breathing, joints).

A strict diet is essential.

## Life expectancy: the sad truth

**General average**: 12-15 years.

**Reality**: many Pugs live **8-11 years** due to respiratory + cardiac + orthopedic complications.

"Extreme" genetic lines (ultra-flat faces) have a lower life expectancy.

More "traditional" lines (less flat faces, limited BOAS) live longer.

## Choosing the breeder

**Essential for the health of the dog**.

SERIOUS breeders:
- Select for **health, not extreme beauty**.
- Conduct BOAS tests on breeding dogs.
- PDE tests.
- Hip X-rays.
- Eye examinations (ECVO).
- Maintain lines with longer muzzles ("retro pug").

**Check**:
- ENCI pedigree.
- Results of the parents' tests.
- Bloodlines (ask for documentation).
- Visit the breeding facility (see the parents, the conditions).

Never buy from **pet shops**, fairs, or "a friend of a friend".

## The costs

**Purchase**:
- Serious breeder with tests: €1,500-2,500.
- Show line: up to €4,000.
- Under €1,200: almost certainly from a puppy mill (avoid).

**Year 1**:
- Neutering, vaccinations, microchip: €500-800.

**Annually**:
- Food: €400-600.
- Routine veterinary care: €200-400.
- Cleaning folds, specific products: €50-100.
- Total: €700-1,200.

**Emergencies** (common in Pugs):
- BOAS surgery: €1,000-2,500.
- Eye surgery: €500-2,000.
- Dermatological episodes: €100-300/episode.

**Total average lifetime cost (12 years)**: €15,000-25,000.

## Daily management

**Exercise**:
- Short walks (15-30 min).
- **Never in hot hours**: risk of collapse.
- **Never intense exertion**.

**Feeding**:
- Strict portion control.
- Quality food with high protein.
- No varied snacks.

**Care of folds**:
- Daily cleaning with a damp wipe.
- Thorough drying.

**Eye care**:
- Daily cleaning of eye corners.
- Veterinary check every 6 months.

**Temperature**:
- Home max 22-24°C.
- Never leave the dog in the yard under the summer sun.
- Car: always have air conditioning.

## The ethical dilemma

Buying a "traditional" Pug (flat muzzle) means **supporting a breeding practice that causes suffering** to the animal throughout its life.

Ethical alternatives:
- **Retro pug**: lines selected for less flat muzzles.
- **Adoption**: adult Pugs are available for adoption.
- **Similar breeds that are less problematic**: Cavalier, Cocker, other small breeds.

Many countries (Netherlands, Norway) have **banned the breeding** of extreme brachycephalic Pugs. It is a serious ethical debate.

## The right owner

The Pug is suitable for:
- Apartment living.
- Individuals available for constant health monitoring.
- Significant veterinary budget.
- Mild climate (no scorching summers).
- Deep love for the breed despite the challenges.

**Unsuitable for**:
- Hot climates.
- People with little time or budget.
- Those looking for an athletic/active dog.
- Those who do not want complex health management.

## The final truth

The Pug is an **adorable, sweet, funny** dog. But it is also a dog that pays every day the price of **human aesthetic selection**.

Adopting one means committing to:
- Facing almost certain health problems.
- Investing in specialist veterinarians.
- Living with the awareness of a not long life expectancy.

For many owners, the relationship is worth every difficulty. For others, it is a commitment beyond their means.

Choose with awareness. Don't be deceived by cuteness on Instagram: behind it is a dog that needs you in ways that other dogs do not.