Vets Caution Against Buying Dogs With Flat Faces

  • 7 years ago
Dogs with flat faces, such as pugs, Shih Tzus, and French bulldogs, are certainly adorable, but veterinarians in the U.K. advise that buying one may not be a good idea.

Dogs with flat faces, such as pugs, Shih Tzus, and French bulldogs, are certainly adorable, but veterinarians in the U.K. advise that buying one may not be a good idea, reports the BBC. 
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) says that those cute, squished faces can trigger serious health problems and result in, “increased animal suffering.” 
Many of the potential problems are respiratory, as a number of the dogs are bred in a way that leaves them with insufficient breathing capabilities, a condition that often requires corrective surgery.  
Despite the health issues, the dogs continue to be incredibly popular, and breeders are producing astounding amounts of them. 
Unfortunately, an increasing number of the pets are being abandoned once they become ill, ending up at shelters, notes the BBC.
Sean Wensley, president of BVA, recently stated, “We strongly encourage people to choose a healthier breed or a crossbreed instead." 

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