Pugs

Not bad breeding related, but, bad ownership!

While we see obese humans as unhealthy, it’s a common mindset to see obese pets as adorable and hilarious. No one thinks twice on seeing an obese, waddling dog’s health, but they’ll gush about how cute he waddles or how he snorts when he’s laying down. It’s just a joke right? The dog’s a marshmallow, he sleeps sitting up and he can’t walk but for a couple minutes. He’s adorable!

It’s not cute, it’s not funny.

It’s animal cruelty. Plain and simple. 

Waddling is painful and taxing on the joints and spine. The animal’s legs are spread out further than what they should be, carrying much more than they ought to be, and usually end up walking on flat, splayed feet to compensate. For a digigrade animal, this is incredibly painful. The ~endearing~ sleep snorts are a struggle to breathe properly.

But there’s more to obese dogs than the structure outside. The very inside is falling apart. 

Obese pets are prone to hip dysplasia, and while it’s serious on healthy weight dogs, it’s even worse in obese dogs! Arthritis is also worse, which makes each heavy step agony as the animal ages.

Decreased liver function, heat intolerance, high blood pressure, diabetes and cancer. Obese dogs are prone to many ailments and damages from their excessive fat. Their life spans are also much shorter than a healthy weighted dog’s. Health issues that would effect a dog in their final years will show up much earlier in an obese dog.

In overweight animals, the lungs can not function properly. The additional fat in the chest restricts the expansion of the lungs. The extra fat in the abdomen pushes against the diaphragm, which separates the abdominal cavity from the chest. This also results in less space in the chest for the lungs to expand on inspiration. To make matters worse, the increased quantity of tissue puts an increased demand on the lungs to supply oxygen. These changes are especially serious in dogs who may already have a respiratory disease.

It is evident from the above discussion that the health, ability to play, even to breathe, are diminished in overweight dogs. Overweight dogs may become more irritable due to being hot, in pain, or simply uncomfortable. Overweight dogs die at a younger age than those maintained at an optimum weight.

 - sourced from Peteducation.com 

It’s important to be aware that while cruelty to animals is typically brutal from poison, beatings, exposure… it can come in the disguise of kindness more often than you think.

Brachecephalic, (or “short faced”) dogs include breeds like English Bulldogs, Mastiffs, Pugs, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, and Boxers. The shortened snouts of these dogs means they can’t breathe very well, and since dogs cool down by panting, this hurts their cooling system. 

Take care to keep your brachy dog out of the heat. Walk in the early morning or late evening, and keep walks and other forms of exercise short. While all dogs are able to overheat, brachies are especially vulnerable. Other at-risk dogs include overweight dogs, dark colored dogs, heavily furred dogs, or dogs with a history of heart or breathing problems. Dehydration is a big danger too, so make sure you keep plenty of fresh water available!