Pugs cannot be considered "a typical dog" due to dire health issues, study finds

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 –– an 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.