Scratchings-and-Sniffings

Posted by Animals at 5:17 PM Saturday, June 13, 2009

Scratchings-and-Sniffings

The Allure of the Pug

Posted: 12 Jun 2009 09:20 AM PDT

Dr.-Larry-with-Miles I think my wife wants a Pug. We just spent three days with my sister in law and her Pug; Comet the Wonder Dog. Kari, my sister in law, has three dogs including Wilbur, the subject of a previous skin allergy post. Wilbur is doing much better by the way.

But this Pug is special. He is very affectionate and loves to sit on your lap. Like all Pugs he has a very expressive face and a really interesting personality. He loves to be around people and wants to be in on all the action. 
 
We even took him on a six mile hike. This wasn't just any hike either. We went from Kari's summer house up Sunnapee Mountain to a beautiful lake called Solitude. The hike went straight up hill over a boulder strewn trail for three miles and frankly we were a little worried about Comet...
Pugs are what we call brachiocephalic breeds. That's vet speak for breeds that have short pushed in muzzles. Boston Terriers, English and French Bulldogs and Pugs are some examples of the brachiocephalic breeds. The characteristic look of these breeds is what makes them so endearing. They have very expressive faces that are almost human. Think Winston Churchill and you get the picture. Comet-hiking
 
They are also prone to breathing problems due to their compressed upper airways and this is why we were kind of worried about Comet. He's in good shape because Kari walks him daily, and he's young. But he sure made a racket going up the hill. He was snorting and chortling all the way. He snores like a champ, too.
 
One night he was sleeping on my wife's chest while they were both "watching" TV. It was like a couple of people singing in harmony. Kind of like the old Three Stooges episodes where all the stooges were snoring in unison. Very funny. (of course my wife adamantly denies that she snores at all.)
 
Not so funny in some Pugs are upper airway problems like stenotic nares and elongated soft palates. Both of these conditions can result in poor breathing and stress like a brisk up hill hike could mean trouble. With stenotic nares the nostrils and outer nasal passages are restricted, making breathing difficult. In many cases, especially under stress, it's tough for these dogs to get enough oxygen.
 
An elongated soft palate, the structure extending from the roof of the mouth can interfere with breathing, too. In many cases both of these problems can be surgically corrected. 
 
Fortunately for Comet these breed predispositions are not present. He just snores and snorts like many Pugs.
 
I don't know. It's been almost six months since we lost Darcie. The desire to get a new dog is getting stronger. I thought that having a grand puppy might be just the ticket. All the fun and none of the responsibility. Miles is too far away for us to see on a regular basis though. I'm just not sure I want to get a little lap dog like a Pug. 
 
They sure are cute though.    

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