The growing awareness of animal welfare has led a European country to ban even the ownership of an entire national banner. The carlinos or pugs arrived at the seaports of the Netherlands in the 16th century at the hands of Chinese merchants. The breed fell into favor with the royal family and its breeding has been maintained to this day. Now the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality is considering regulating the physical characteristics that harm the health of this and other animals and vetoing their domestic care to prevent them from suffering.
Most of the health conditions associated with pugs are due to their flat skull and short muzzle. This physical condition can cause serious breathing difficulties and sleep apnea. These are dogs especially exposed to heat stroke and with a tendency to suffer from eye problems. In addition, as with other small breeds, they can suffer from temporary displacement of the kneecaps. Despite this, their life expectancy is between 12 and 15 years.
According to the announcement of the Dutch government, it has pleased the animalists, but not the people who are dedicated to the selective breeding of this breed. Breeders use inbreeding among pugs to reproduce pure specimens for mere aesthetic and economic purposes. As a consequence, individuals present hereditary disorders resulting from a high degree of consanguinity that have ended up affecting a large part of the population of pugs. This practice occurs with other flat-faced dogs, such as bulldogs, which often suffer from heart or skin problems.
The truth is that the Ministry foresees a lax regulation in this regard, since the new law will continue to allow the import, export and sale of this canine breed. With regard to the country’s homes, people who currently own pugs can continue to have them until they die.
Pugs are faithful, happy and social companion animals. These are calm dogs that require half an hour of daily gentle exercise, but at the same time mischievous and playful. It is a family breed suitable for inexperienced owners, whose small size allows them to deal with children safely, and will also act as a watchdog. It requires a minimum of training, grooming once a week and does not like to be separated from its master for a long time.
These dogs are only about 12 inches tall, but they are strong and muscular. This robustness demarcates its weight between 6 and 8 kilos. Their hair, short and soft, can be cream, brown or black. They have a fast metabolism, so they will demand to eat often. It must be ensured that the amounts they eat each time are small, but contain sufficient nutrients, and it is preferable that the grains of feed are smaller to promote chewing and improve digestion.
