Which health problems are common in the Pug?
Pugs are prone to breathing trouble from the flat face, eye ulcers, skin fold infections and weight gain. A lean weight, walks in the cool hours and a daily look at the eyes and folds help the most.
Updated November 9, 2026
What should Pug owners watch for?
Common for the breed doesn't mean your dog will have it.
- Breathing. The flat face narrows the airway. Snoring, loud breathing at rest or tiring fast are signs. Heat is dangerous, so walk in the cool hours.
- Eyes. The prominent eyes are prone to ulcers. Squinting, tearing or a cloudy spot needs a vet visit soon.
- Skin folds. Folds trap moisture and dirt. Cleaning and drying them every day helps keep skin infections away.
- Weight. Pugs gain weight easily, and extra weight makes breathing harder. Ask your vet to check the body shape at each visit.
- Brain inflammation. Pug dog encephalitis is an inflammatory brain disease, usually of young adults. Seizures, circling or a change in behaviour need a vet right away.
Which checkups do vets often suggest?
| Checkup | What it is | When |
|---|---|---|
| Breathing assessment | A trained vet listens to breathing before and after 3 minutes of brisk walking. Repeated every 2 years from 1 year of age. | From 1 year · Every 2 years |
| Eye exam by an ophthalmologist | A specialist checks the eyes for inherited problems. Screening programmes suggest repeating it every year. | Every year |
| Kneecap check | Your vet feels the knees to see whether a kneecap slips out of place. Programmes certify it from 1 year of age. | From 1 year · Once |
| DNA test for Pug dog encephalitis | A cheek swab or blood test for the inherited risk of this brain disease. Done once, at any age. A risk result is not a diagnosis. | Once |
Your vet decides which checkups fit your pet, and when.
How do I keep a Pug health record?
VetVitae, a free pet health record app for iPhone, Android and the web, shows these notes on your dog’s profile under Health, and Plan it opens the exam or test with its name filled.
For vaccines, parasites and the signs that can’t wait, see the dog care guide.
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. Your vet knows your pet.
Sources
- Health of Pug dogs in the UK: disorder predispositions and protections, O'Neill et al., Canine Medicine and Genetics, 2022
- Toy group health testing requirements, American Kennel Club
- Pug, Breed health and Breed Watch, The Royal Kennel Club
- Respiratory Function Grading Scheme, The Royal Kennel Club and University of Cambridge
- Recommended tests for Pug, Orthopedic Foundation for Animals
- Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome in Dogs, VCA Animal Hospitals
- A potential early clinical phenotype of necrotizing meningoencephalitis in genetically at-risk pug dogs, Windsor et al., Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 2022
Start a record for your pet.
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