There is a common misconception that all pugs have health problems. This is NOT the case. CRPF members spare no cost when it comes health testing and making sure we breed to better the pug. Our members have travelled the world to find the right pugs to bring into their lines. We are proud of what our club members have accomplished and want to show you what a healthy pug looks and acts like. Below are common health tests that should be done on pugs before breeding and what the results mean. Most genetic testing is done through UC Davis and physical testing is done through veterinarians that use Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) standards. For a complete list of health tests for the pug click here.

Genetic Health Testing:

Necrotizing meningoencephalitis (NME)/Pug Dog Encephalitis (PDE)- “an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system that is usually progressive and fatal. Symptoms of NME include seizures, depression, ataxia, abnormal gait, and blindness. Female, fawn-colored Pugs younger than 7 years of age are more apt to develop NME than older, male, and non-fawn colored individuals.”

UC Davis Veterinary Medicine Veterinary Genetics Laboratory. (2022). Susceptibility to Pug Dog Encephalitis (PDE). Retrieved January 2024 from https://vgl.ucdavis.edu/test/pde-susceptibility

Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency (PKDef)- “Symptoms include lack of energy, low exercise tolerance and fatigue in dogs that appear otherwise fit. Clinically, dogs with PKDef present with a severe anemia, increased iron levels, increased bone density, may have an enlarged spleen and liver as well as fibrous connective tissue replacement of bone marrow cells. Bone marrow and liver failure typically occur by 5 years of age.”

UC Davis Veterinary Medicine Veterinary Genetics Laboratory.(2022). Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency (PKDef). Retrieved Janurary 2024 from https://vgl.ucdavis.edu/test/pkdef-dog

Degenerative Myelopathy (MP)-”Affected dogs usually present clinical signs of disease in adulthood (at least 8 years of age) with gradual muscle wasting and loss of coordination typically beginning in the hind limbs. Disease progression continues until the dog is unable to walk. Small breed dogs tend to progress more slowly. In late stages of the disease, dogs may become incontinent and the forelimbs may be affected. Affected dogs may fully lose the ability to walk 6 months to 2 years after the onset of signs.”

UC Davis Veterinary Medicine Veterinary Genetics Labratory. (2022) Degenerative Myelopathy (MP). Retrieved January 2024 from https://vgl.ucdavis.edu/test/degenerative-myelopathy

Dominate Black- Not required for health purposes, but many of us at CRPF do this test for our own knowledge. Black pugs can be tested for their color dominance. There is nothing wrong with a non-dominate black being bred to a fawn, and a non dominate black usually still has the same vibrance as a dominate black. This test measures the pigmentation in the coat. For more information click here

Most of these genetic tests use haplotypes for results. N/N means there are no haplotypes or markers for the disease an have low to zero chance of passing on the disease to their offspring. N/S means one copy of the gene was found and the dog has a slight chance to pass it onto 50% their offspring. S/S means there are two copies of the gene found and are more likely to pass on the disease to 100% their offspring.

N/S results are not a death sentence nor does it mean that your pug will get the disease in their lifetime. Typically N/S pugs had a pug far back in their lineage that contracted the N/S haplotype and it was passed down with no actual diagnosis. However, an N/S pug should only be bred to an N/N.

Physical Health Testing:

Hips- “Hip dysplasia is a degenerative condition, which can affect any dog. Although the causes may vary, the effects are always the same: loss of mobility, increasing pain, impaired gait, and even behavioral and mood changes in your dog (including snappishness and depression).Hobbles, or walks/trots with an irregular gait

  • Tries to keep weight off one of the rear legs

  • Starts to slow down or limp on a favorite walk or run

  • Stays in bed instead of playing outdoors

  • Whimpers or yelps when climbing stairs

  • Flinches when the hip area or lower back are touched”

For more info click here

Dog’s Health. (2022, Sept. 14th). Hip dysplasia in Pugs: Dog’s health. Retrieved January 2024 from https://www.dogshealth.com/hip-dysplasia-in-pugs/

Patellas- “A luxating patella is a dislocated kneecap. The patella normally moves smoothly up and down in a deep groove. The most common symptom is that owners notice that the dog has brief incidents of lameness, holding up their leg for a few steps, seeming to skip, and often extending the hind leg out behind them.

Other symptoms include:

Eyes- “Pigmentary keratitis (or pigmentary keratopathy) is a frequent cause of blindness in the Pug, Shih Tzu and Pekingese and occurs due to pigment migration onto the cornea. Treatment is directed at halting the progression of pigmentation and correcting the inciting cause”

Ophthalmology for Animals. Pigmentary Keratitis. Retrieved January 2024 from https://www.ofora.com/pigmentary-keratitis/#:~:text=

Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS)- This test was first developed in the UK and was brought to the United States through University of Cambridge for the first time in 2023. The FIRST pugs in the US to recieve this test were ALL CRPF members!

“The foundation launched the program at the Rose City Classic dog show, Jan. 20-21 in Portland, Oregon. There were representatives from the American Kennel Club, OFA, Bulldog Club of America, French Bull Dog Club of America, and Pug Dog Club of America at the event. In all, about 60 dogs were tested.”

AVMA. (2023, January 30). Health screening test rolled out for brachycephalic dog breeds. Retrieved January 2024 from https://www.avma.org/news/health-screening-test-rolled-out-brachycephalic-dog-breeds

“BOAS is caused when the soft tissue in the nose and throat are excessive for the airway, partially obstructing the airway and making it difficult for them breathe normally. BOAS is a progressive disorder and can impair a dog’s ability to exercise, play, eat and even sleep. Along with conformational issues, indiscriminate breeding practices resulting from increased demand for puppies has only exacerbated the problem. Clinical signs of BOAS are variable and can include noisy breathing, exercise and heat intolerance, regurgitation and difficulty swallowing. And sadly for pet health, many owners are unaware of the disease, and often interpret breathing noises or difficulties as simply normal for the breed.”

OFA. (2024). Respiratory Function Grading Scheme Overview. Retrieved December 2023 from https://ofa.org/diseases/rfgs/

Click here for the grading scheme

Blanche aka Chelsea’s Fantasy Fashion Flashin’ being one of the first pugs participating in BOAS testing 2023