04-12-2024 Pug Inbreeding and Medical Effects Pugs have a medical malfunction called Brachycephalics that makes them unable to breathe properly, however, some procedures can fix this issue. Pugs have this problem because of their extensive inbreeding since the 4th century BCE. The history of inbreeding pugs has been skewed for many years. The history of inbreeding pugs is very lengthy, however, they have been inbred since the 4th century BCE, almost 2431 years ago. Experts believe that pigs developed as pets of the ruling elite in China. The breed was introduced to England by Dutch traders near the end of the 17th century CE. However, not all pugs are inbred, surprisingly only 44.2% of pugs can be…show more content… They aimed to create a pattern of wrinkles on the dogs’ foreheads, which resembled the Chinese character for “prince” (). This is the beginning of inbreeding for the pug breed. Pugs are quite famous and have been spread all across the world with many high-ranking officials keeping them close by their side when in public view, Pugs have so much popularity that in 1740 a covert Freemason society called the Order of the Pug chose the Pug as their symbol because Pugs are loyal and trustworthy. To be initiated into the order, you have to wear a dog collar and scratch the door. Pugs have many medical issues because of their inbreeding, but the most common is called brachycephalic obstructed airway syndrome. Brachycephalic syndrome causes the animal to have trouble breathing because of how their face is shaped. Flat-faced short-nosed dogs struggle with this syndrome the most, making them cough, grunt, and wheeze excessively. Pugs have worsened symptoms of BOAS with a pronounced underbite and widely placed shallow eye orbits, these are caused by inbreeding specifically for these traits. The Universities Federation of Animal Welfare states, “The short-nosed shape of the Pug skull causes breathing difficulties and ‘knock-on’ effects, which cause chronic discomfort and respiratory distress, which can be life-threatening,” this article goes on to
