Even our beloved pug, as much as we love that squashed-in nose, is the victim of design. Read below and check to make certain the breeder you select is reputable!

Other breeds whose health has been destroyed by selective breeding for looks only include German Shepherd Dogs with grotesquely sloped backs and lower necks that cripple their mobility, and Pugs with noses so short they can barely breathe. They no longer have noses, in fact, just nostrils. These poor dogs often travel with ice cushions to keep them cool because they can't pull enough air into their “pushed back” noses to regulate their body temperature.

Wayne Cavanaugh, president of the United Kennel Club (UKC), believes these breeding habits are the result of our “world of exaggeration.” The more exaggerated something is, the better, according to today's thinking.

That's why it's so important to select the breeder of your pet very carefully. “There are responsible breeders out there, who have invested in screening and who are breeding for health as well as producing attractive puppies, and it is vital that people only look to buy from them,” says lead study author Rusbridge.

We sincerely believe any future pet parents should check into rescue organizations, animal shelters, or local breeders with good reputations. Having a mixed breed dog, free from the above problems, makes for a wonderful pet and in many instances you can also find full breeds that have been abandoned for any number of reasons – and they often are much healthier than said designer dogs!

Basically, have an open mind and buyers beware! Read more about this issue at Healthy Pets.