One could blame a top cellular network provider for making pugs popular in India, but vanity breeding and over breeding has been taking the dog out of our best friend for quite a while. In May 2022, a study by researchers from The Royal Veterinary College of England found that the flat-nosed breed faces dire health risks and can “no longer be considered as a typical dog” when being treated for health issues.

“There is growing concern about serious health and welfare issues in the breed,” the study authors wrote. Dr Dan O’Neill, senior lecturer in Companion Animal Epidemiology at the Royal Veterinary College, says that pugs lack “basic functions” expected of a canine, such as blinking; It cannot shut its eyes fully due to protruding eyeballs. One in three pugs cannot walk properly due to vanity breeding, higher risk of lameness and spinal cord disorder.