Brachycephalic problems of pugs relevant to animal welfare

Abstract

Excessive breeding for brachycephaly (fore-shortened muzzle) has led to increasing problems in pugs related to brachycephalic airway syndrome (BAS). Consequently, the German Pug Club (Deutscher Mopsclub eV; DMC) established a stress test in 2009 that must be passed for breeding and requires normalised heart and respiratory rates 15 min after having covered a distance of 1 km. In this study, 42 pugs underwent the stress test under standardised conditions. Taking into account that this exercise should not be too physically demanding for any healthy dog, the results were surprising: 14 of the pugs failed, ie a failure rate of 33.3%. In addition to the stress test, the pugs were assessed according to their heart and respiratory rates at rest, which we predicted would be associated with BAS, and in this test, 21 out of 42 pugs failed. Thus, 50.0% of the pugs were in a severely compromised physical condition. A further group of seven retropugs, ie a crossbreed of pugs with a slightly longer muzzle, was included in the study to compare brachycephalic problems. All of the retropugs passed the test, even when respiratory and heart rates at rest were considered. However, the findings may not be transferable to all retropugs because of the small sample size, so further research is needed. In summary, this study has enabled the development of recommendations for future implementation of stress tests.

Evaluation of a Treadmill-Based Submaximal Fitness Test in Pugs, and Collecting Breed-Specific Information on Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome

“…An exercise test with the aim of improving the health of brachycephalic dogs has been used for breeding approval in Germany since 2009 [ 32 ]. However, there is no standardised exercise protocol, the speed is not specified, and the dogs are not monitored throughout the test or the recovery phase [ 32 ].…”

“…An exercise test with the aim of improving the health of brachycephalic dogs has been used for breeding approval in Germany since 2009 [ 32 ]. However, there is no standardised exercise protocol, the speed is not specified, and the dogs are not monitored throughout the test or the recovery phase [ 32 ]. This limitation in existing tests, in conjunction with the persistent existence of BOAS in Germany and worldwide, suggests the need for improved tests to identify and prevent breeding with affected dogs.…”

Moving from information and collaboration to action: report from the 3rd International Dog Health Workshop, Paris in April 2017

“…The group formulated 5 goals to improve brachycephalic health: Kennel clubs and the FCI should further educate breeders and judges on brachycephalic health and police those who promote unhealthy practices; encourage/enforce fitness tests [ 41 , 42 ] prior to breeding/showing, and review breed standards to remove features detrimental to health and increase their objectivity. Show judges should be well-educated on the detrimental consequences of extreme conformation; interpret breed standards with canine health in mind; and only award prizes to less extreme dogs that are free of signs of ill-health.…”

“…Kennel clubs and the FCI should further educate breeders and judges on brachycephalic health and police those who promote unhealthy practices; encourage/enforce fitness tests [ 41 , 42 ] prior to breeding/showing, and review breed standards to remove features detrimental to health and increase their objectivity.…”

Anthropomorphism and Its Adverse Effects on the Distress and Welfare of Companion Animals

“…In these dogs, artificial selection has focused on emphasizing human infant-like traits, such as flat faces, round cheeks, large eyes, short extremities, and even clumsiness in movements [ 106 ]. The consequence of these paedomorphic features is the emergence of the brachycephalic obstructive airways syndrome (BOAS) that compromises the efficacy of numerous vital functions, such as breathing, tissue oxygenation, thermoregulation and digestion [ 106 , 107 , 108 ], and ultimately reduces these individuals’ quality of life. Furthermore, the abnormal physical features of brachycephalic dogs may negatively affect their mimic skills and consequently compromise their ability to communicate with conspecifics [ 109 ].…”