Pugs are anatomical disasters. Vets must speak out–even if it’s bad for business

I'm not British, I'm Canadian, and my mom was a breeder of Pekingese. She never made money at it, she simply loved the breed. I have known many Canadian vets, and have been around dogs my whole life. So I can speak to this issue with a degree of informed opinion that is higher than some others.

All of these concerns about brachys breeds has been known for centuries - yes, literally hundreds of years. Pugs and Pekes are very old breeds, are cherished by most owners I know, and in fact used to only be owned by wealthy families. But now that they are popular everywhere, the issue of these breeds being owned by people who are not fully aware of their limitations is an important discussion.

I can see veterinarians being concerned about general trends of a populace not giving due care (concerned only about the fact that they're "cute"), but to say that these breeds are doomed to suffer their entire life in the hands of a responsible owner is a point of view I believe to be incorrect.

Anything that can help the well being of canines I'm in favor of. Dogs truly are man's best friend. I'm even willing to endure some scorn and tolerate the occasional sensational article, because I don't think just anyone ought to own a dog. My pugs Bailey and Maya are not just pets, they're family to us.

But to accuse me of being cruel because I want these breeds to continue as they have for centuries? No. I don't buy it. You and the British vet society have not convinced me. Go scorn others who breed dogs to fight to the death or those that eat them.

I feel no guilt or shame whatsoever. I love pugs, and I hope to have many more in my life, maybe even be a breeder myself someday.

Ta