Pug Breathing Problems & Health: An Honest Guide

Pugs are loving, comical and hugely popular, but they are also one of the breeds about which vets and welfare charities have the greatest concerns. This guide is deliberately honest: if you love Pugs or are thinking of getting one, you deserve the full picture, not a sugar-coated one. Many of the breed's most serious problems are caused directly by how Pugs are bred to look, and understanding them is the first step to giving a Pug a healthier life.

Why Pugs have breathing problems

Pugs are brachycephalic, meaning they have been bred to have a very short, flat skull. The soft tissues of the nose and throat, however, are not reduced in the same proportion, so they are squashed into a much smaller space. The result, in many Pugs, is Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) — a condition in which narrowed nostrils (stenotic nares), an overlong soft palate, a narrowed windpipe and other abnormalities physically obstruct the airway. Research from the Royal Veterinary College's VetCompass programme has found that Pugs are far more likely than other dogs to be diagnosed with BOAS and a long list of related conditions, and one widely reported study concluded that Pugs can no longer be considered a typical dog from a health perspective.

What BOAS looks like

The snoring, snorting and noisy breathing that some people find endearing are often signs of obstruction, not harmless quirks. Signs of BOAS include:

• Noisy or laboured breathing, even at rest.
• Loud snoring and snorting.
• Gagging, retching or bringing up froth, especially when excited.
• Struggling, tiring quickly or collapsing on exercise.
• Difficulty in warm weather and disturbed, restless sleep.

BOAS exists on a spectrum, from mild to severe, and can worsen with age or weight gain. It should never be dismissed as 'just what Pugs do'. Affected dogs can be assessed by a vet and, in many cases, helped with surgery to widen the nostrils and shorten the soft palate, alongside weight control and careful management.

Overheating: a life-threatening risk

Because panting is a dog's main way of cooling down, and BOAS makes panting far less effective, Pugs are at high risk of heatstroke. RVC research has shown brachycephalic breeds are significantly more likely to suffer heat-related illness, which can be fatal. Never leave a Pug in a warm car even for a moment, avoid exercise in the heat, walk in the cool parts of the day, and always provide shade and water. A cooling mat and indoor calm on hot days are sensible precautions, and you should learn the signs of heatstroke as an emergency.

Eye problems

Pugs' large, shallow-set eyes are vulnerable. The breed is prone to corneal ulcers and injuries, and to pigmentary keratitis, where brown pigment creeps across the cornea and can impair vision. Some Pugs cannot fully close their eyelids over their prominent eyes, which adds to the risk. Any squinting, redness, cloudiness, excessive tearing or pawing at the face needs prompt veterinary attention — eye problems can deteriorate within hours.

Skin-fold problems

The deep facial wrinkles, particularly the nose roll, trap moisture, food and debris and can develop sore, infected skin-fold dermatitis. Daily cleaning and thorough drying, covered in our grooming and care guide, are essential to prevent this.

Spine and other issues

The Pug's tightly curled tail is linked to a vertebral malformation called hemivertebrae, which in some dogs causes pain, weakness or neurological problems. Pugs are also prone to obesity (which makes every other problem worse), dental disease, and certain eye and neurological conditions. Keeping a Pug lean is one of the most powerful things an owner can do — our pet calorie calculator and a slow feeder can help.

How to reduce the risks

You cannot breed responsibly out of a Pug you already own, but you can manage their health well, and if you are still choosing a puppy you can make a big difference:

• Buy only from a responsible breeder who screens breeding dogs using the Kennel Club and University of Cambridge Respiratory Function Grading Scheme for BOAS and screens eyes.
• Favour more moderate features — visible nostrils, a hint of muzzle, open eyes — over the most extreme flat faces.
• Meet the parents, see them move and breathe, and walk away from anyone who treats laboured breathing as normal.
• Consider a rescue Pug from a reputable charity.
• Keep your Pug slim, cool and well cared for, and insure early.

Welfare organisations including the RSPCA, PDSA and the British Veterinary Association have all urged prospective owners to think carefully about flat-faced breeds and to prioritise health over looks. None of this means Pugs cannot be wonderful companions — but going in with open eyes, realistic expectations and a commitment to good veterinary care is the responsible way to love the breed. You can find local and emergency clinics through our vet finder.

*This is general guidance, not a substitute for advice from your vet. If your Pug shows any breathing, eye or skin problems, seek veterinary advice promptly.*

Sources

• RVC VetCompass — Pug and brachycephalic health research (rvc.ac.uk/vetcompass).
• University of Cambridge — BOAS research and Respiratory Function Grading Scheme (vet.cam.ac.uk).
• The Kennel Club — Respiratory Function Grading Scheme and Pug health (thekennelclub.org.uk).
• RSPCA — brachycephalic dog welfare (rspca.org.uk).
• PDSA — flat-faced dog health (pdsa.org.uk).