Demography and Causes of Mortality of Pugs Under Primary Veterinary Care in Australia

Pugs are a popular brachycephalic (flat-faced, short-muzzled) breed that suffer from multiple chronic disorders linked to their exaggerated shape. These disorders are common and cause suffering. However, their contribution to early death and euthanasia have not been thoroughly studied. This study used electronic patient records from the Australian VetCompass programme to describe the demography, common causes and risk factors for Pug mortality. The records of a large group (691) of Pugs who died while under veterinary care over a 10-year period were analysed to determine the cause of death. The median age at death was 10 years. Male Pugs had shorter median lifespans than females, and entire Pugs died earlier than neutered dogs. The top causes of mortality were Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome, seizures and degenerative spinal cord conditions, which are uncommon in breeds with a normal head shape. The most common reason for euthanasia was neurological causes, whilst for spontaneous deaths, respiratory causes were the most common. These neurological and respiratory causes of death are linked to brachycephalic conformation and provide evidence for reform of showing and breeding standards to improve Pug welfare and longevity.

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Wong, K.; Williamson, P.; Taylor, R.M. Demography and Causes of Mortality of Pugs Under Primary Veterinary Care in Australia. Vet. Sci. 2025, 12, 195. https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12030195

"Beige pug dog lying on the leaves in autumn" by Rita Kochmarjova (Adobe Stock 72490147)