Who doesn’t love those adorable squished faces on Pugs?
Short little noses, squishy, wrinkled faces, they are arguably the cutest dogs due to these adorable features.
Unfortunately, the processes that brought about this cuteness also took its toll on our squishy-faced friends. While there are many upsides of such a cute, friendly, and loyal pet, unfortunately, there are downsides any responsible Pug-owner (or prospective Pug-owner) needs to know regarding their breathing.
The origin of Pug breathing problems
According to legend, ancient Chinese royalty were the original breeders of this dog and took the wrinkles on the forehead as an auspicious sign.
Unfortunately, this obsession with appearance saw the health of the dog breed fall by the wayside. As the breeders obsessed about the wrinkles, the breeding of the short snout caused a number of problems for Pug breathing.
As a Pug owner, you should be aware of these common breathing problems Pugs encounter due to their short snout:
- Hard time breathing while exercising.
- Excessive snorting and snoring.
- Inability or difficulty regulating body temperature.
What’s normal and what’s not with Pug breathing?
Now that you’re aware of the typical problems encountered in taking care of a Pug, we can go over some of the best ways to keep your Pug happy and healthy.
Pugs will inherently have more breathing problems than other dogs. Snorting, grunting, and snoring is all within the range of normal behavior for a Pug. It is generally accepted that due to their short snout, they have a tendency to be noisier than other dogs.
That said, there are more serious issues that Pug owners need to be on the look out for. These are:
- Stenotic Nares: This medical condition manifests itself as mouth breathing, that is, if your Pug can’t breath through its nose.
- Collapsed Trachea: It is believed Pugs are pre-disposed to this, and it can occur when a Pug lunges forward when wearing a traditional collar. Harnesses that distribute pressure along the back, shoulders and chest can help prevent this.
- Elongated Soft Palate: Symptoms include mouth breathing and vomiting after eating or drinking. It is a congenital problem due to the face-shape of the dog.
These conditions should be diagnosed by a licensed veterinarian.
How to keep your Pug breathing free and easy
Finally, let’s talk about doing what’s best for your Pug and their breathing.
At home, there are a number of things you can do to improve your Pug’s quality of life besides just giving it a good, loving home.
Fresh air and preventing the home from getting too hot will help keep a Pug’s respiratory system healthy, so, for your Pug’s sake, open a window.
A harness for going on walks is recommended, as well. If you want to go the extra mile, a dehumidifier, at least in the bedroom, is also useful in helping to prevent a Pug from developing further respiratory problems.
The only sure-fire way to keep your Pug healthy
Arming yourself with all the preventative knowledge you can, and taking your Pug’s health and breathing seriously, is only the first step to a long, happy relationship.
If you’re ever uncertain about the condition of your Pug’s health, a veterinarian is the only way to be 100% sure.
