So, what is their most endearing feature? Is it because of their squashy tiny faces? Their grunting pants (as if they were tiny little fat persons!) What about their double-curled tails?
That curled tail is maybe less charming when you realize it’s a purpose-bred genetic abnormality that, in its most severe versions, causes paralysis. And what about their crushed noses? This has been selectively bred to become shorter and smaller, making it difficult for the dogs to breathe and eat, resulting in cardiovascular stress, eye prolapses, overheating (dogs do not sweat, so they must pant to expel heat through evaporation), weight gain due to that sedentary overheated lifestyle, dental crowding, soft-palate collapse, and skin-fold dermatitis. An “anatomical calamity” rather than the patron saint of cuteness.
Despite conducting remedial procedures and developing pain management programs for these dogs, doctors seldom speak out against the unethical aspect of purchasing and generating demand for genetically handicapped pets for one simple reason: it’s bad for business. “If I spoke up and told the truth about these breeds,” an unnamed vet tells The Guardian, “I would instantly alienate [their owners], and they would up sticks and relocate to the adjacent clinic where the vet was not as outspoken.” Veterinarians in general practice simply cannot afford to be truthful and speak out.”
WHY ARE VETERINARIANS SUSPICIOUS OF PUGS?
The British Veterinary Association (BVA), which represents veterinarians throughout the United Kingdom, is in a better position to do so. It has made multiple remarks this year on brachycephalic dog breeding and purchasing practices, expressing worry about the rise in canine health and welfare. “Because the popularity of these dogs has exacerbated animal suffering and resulted in sick pets for owners, we highly advise individuals to consider a healthier breed or crossbreed instead.” The BVA’s president, Sean Wensley, tells The Guardian.
Mixed-breed dogs are claimed to be far healthier than pure-bred dogs, a notion that dog breeders reject, but a 2013 research injects some much-needed statistics into an issue biased by emotion and greed. Using medical information from over 27,000 dogs and comparing the prevalence of 24 genetic illnesses in mixed vs. purebred dogs, the researchers discovered that 10 of the genetic disorders had a considerably higher occurrence in purebred dogs, while just one of the disorders was greater in mixed-breeds. The incidence of the other diseases was roughly equal in both groups.
ENTERTAINING APPEARANCES. PROBLEMS THAT ARE NOT SO HILARIOUS.
Why has this particular collection of physical characteristics become so popular among dogs? In cats, for that matter. While dogs are America’s most popular pet, cats are perhaps more well-known in the digital world. Lil Bub (who has almost 3 million Facebook admirers and her own Vice documentary) and Grumpy Cat nicknamed Tardar Sauce are two of the most famous cat celebrities (who has nearly 9 million Facebook fans, a cat celebrity manager, her own book deal, a plush toy line, and is sponsored by Friskies).
Why are Lil Bub and Grumpy Cat so adorable and well-known? Because they have health issues. Because of her extremely tiny lower jaw and toothlessness, Lil Bub was the runt of her litter and had a tongue that continually falls out of her mouth. She also has severe osteoporosis and is being treated for it. Grumpy Cat possesses feline dwarfism as well as an underbite, which contributes to her trademark scowl.
Many of the online cats on Bored Panda’s list have infirmities or genetic defects, such as eyesight impairment (Honey Bee), no nasal bridge (Monty the Cat), a cleft palate (Lazarus the Vampire Cat), and heterochromia (Fukumaru). However, there is a significant difference between loving an animal with a genetic mutation and actively generating genetic anomalies, or supporting an enterprise that does.
The strange is being increasingly fetishized in household pets. Ugly is attractive, and deformed is one-of-a-kind. This is the new Victorian freak show, and we really like it. From one viewpoint, it’s an astonishingly progressive mindset shift — imagine if humans recognized, and even loved, human variety in the same manner.
When it comes to our attitudes toward people and non-human animals, there is a lot of inconsistency. Dale Jamieson, a philosopher, offers more on that type of cognitive dissonance here:
WHAT ARE THE BEST ADVOCATES FOR ANIMAL RIGHTS?
The philosopher raises basic issues about human and animal rights.