Pros and Cons of Owning A So-Called Ugly Dog
Whether it is a full bred dog or a "mutt" dog, owning a dog can be a highly rewarding experience but with many responsibilities. Owning an ugly breed of dog can set you apart from the rest of the dog owners. Ugly breeds of dogs are unique and can turn quite a few heads but often times these breeds of dog have health issues that may require medical attention.
A breed of dog many consider ugly is the Pug. The Pug dog has a small, compact body, a flat, wrinkled face and curly tail. Pugs generally stand between ten and eleven inches tall and weigh between fourteen and eighteen pounds. Many of their ugly characteristics contribute to the health problems this breed commonly exhibits. Pugs have extremely short snouts and no skeletal brow ridges, which makes it easy for them to scratch their corneas or puncture their eyeballs. They commonly develop breathing problems because of their short noses. Also their short noses do not cool them off very well, unlike breeds with longer noses that are able to easily cool off. Pugs are prone to obesity and can reach an unhealthy weight rather quickly. They are prone to skin infections if the crevices in their face are not cleaned regularly. They are also prone to skin allergies. If these skin allergies are not treated the Pug will scratch the skin causing inflammation which can lead to serious infection. This breed frequently has tooth and mouth problems which may be caused by their flat face. One percent of Pug dogs suffer from inflammation of the brain, which is called Pug Dog Encephalitis (PDE). PDE is believed to be an inherited disease and is fatal. There is no known cure or cause. Within a few months of onset of the clinical signs of PDE, Pug dogs either die or are euthanized. Despite all their health problems, Pug dogs are very sociable and quite a popular breed for a house pet. They are easy to groom but tend to shed more than other dogs their size. They are generally compatible with most children and other animals, but have been known to be very stubborn. This breed of dog is a true "lap" dog and loves to curl up in their owner's lap. Pug dogs, if healthy, can be expected to live up to thirteen years, and many well-cared for Pugs have lived up to eighteen years.
Another ugly breed of dog that commonly experiences several health problems is the Chinese Crested dog. This breed is rather small, standing nine to thirteen inches and weighing only five to fourteen pounds. There are two types of this breed, the hairless and the Powderpuff. The hairless is just that – hairless; this dog has hair only on its head, feet and tail. The Powderpuff type is completely covered with hair. Many times, breeding of only hairless dogs to hairless dogs creates toenail and teeth abnormalities. It is more healthy to breed a hairless with a Powderpuff to avoid these kinds of abnormalities. The Hairless Chinese Crested dogs can not be left in bright sunlight because their skin may burn and lead to greater health problems. This breed commonly suffers from eye problems such as lens luxation, glaucoma and Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), Legg-Perthes disease and skin allergies. Liver shunts and dental problems are other health concerns for this breed. The Chinese Crested is often used as a lap dog. They are not highly active but do need regular exercise. This breed of dog can make a loving companion that is playful and entertaining. They enjoy the company of people and will be devoted to their owners.
So, as you can see, the pros include having a dog, and the attention you get from having an ugly dog, and the cons include all the potential problems that come along with some of the ugliest breeds of dogs.
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