Pugs are anatomical disasters. Vets must speak out–even if it’s bad for business
Pug parent here. As many other comments have mentioned, brachycephalic dogs are only one kind that suffers largely as a result of selective breeding by humans. I have the (somewhat) unfortunate opinion that brachycephalic dogs are also by far the cutest. Nothing makes me happier than being with my pug.<p>I think this particular article brings up two important things about dogs as pets, but fails to connect them properly: 1) some animals suffer much more than others due to selective breeding 2) we should not buy them. Perhaps the author actually intended this, but as written it doesn&#x27;t go far enough: We should not be supporting animal breeders at all, regardless. Creating animals that are dependent on humans for survival is wrong, as is giving people a financial motivation for creating more of them. Animals are not a commodity—they are living beings that feel just like we do.<p>What I think we should do is take care of the lives we already have (adopt animals in shelters and rescues and take the best care of them you can) but stop breeding animals as human companions, and certainly don&#x27;t support those who do financially.<p>This viewpoint goes hand in hand with my beliefs on a more philosophical level: veganism and antinatalism.