Pug owners putting down their dogs due to common gait problems
Pugs, along with British and French bulldogs, already suffer from breathing difficulties due to their airways being obstructed. A team of Swedish researchers asked 550 owners of pugs whether their dogs had any gait problems, such as inability to jump, and abnormal wearing of the nails and the skin on their paws, and if so, how long these had been going on.
They were also asked about their dog's general health, and encouraged to send in video footage of their pet walking slowly back and forth on a leash, including a side view.
A prevalence of gait problems was found in just under 31 per cent of the dogs. On average, pugs were 2 years old when the gait abnormality first started, with front leg problems tending to show up earlier than problems with the back legs. But gait abnormalities were strongly associated with older age.
They were also associated with breathing problems and excessive scratching around the neck, ears and head. And pugs with abnormal gait were more likely to have incontinence issues.
Some 47 owners said their dogs had been put down with abnormal gait the single most frequently cited cause.
High prevalence of gait abnormalities in pugs (open, DOI: 10.1136/vr.104510) (DX)
(Score: 3, Informative) by captain normal on Wednesday February 07 2018, @05:31AM (1 child)
I have to agree, mutts are probably the healthiest and usually the nicest dogs. There is way to much inbreeding in many of the popular breeds especially in puppy mills. Plus the shelters are full of wonderful dogs just wanting a home.Many of them are crosses of popular breeds.
Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts"- --Daniel Patrick Moynihan--
(Score: 4, Insightful) by NotSanguine on Wednesday February 07 2018, @05:55AM
This quite often applies to people as well, iMHO.
No, no, you're not thinking; you're just being logical. --Niels Bohr