Also, if you really, really want one of these dogs, seek out breeders who are trying to breed the worst of the traits out. They do exist. Don't buy puppies that were bred from parents that had to have the kind of surgery this vet is talking about. Or, heck, don't buy from breeders who EVER breed from those parents.

If you want a pug, consider a retro mop. They're still fighting to get them registered as they aren't purebred pugs, but the ones I've seen have sooooo much more energy and verve than "normal" pugs. Some kind of ethical outcross is probably the only way to save the English bulldog too. (I should write up a version of my closed studbook rant and submit it to Creatures one of these days).