Look at an old painting from the 1700s and you might not even recognize the dog sitting on the velvet cushion. It’s a pug. Sorta. But it has legs that actually look like legs and a snout that doesn't look like it ran into a brick wall at sixty miles per hour. When people talk about pugs before and after, they aren't just talking about a haircut or a weight loss journey. They’re talking about a radical, centuries-long transformation of a biological blueprint. It’s honestly a bit wild when you see the side-by-side comparison of how much we’ve messed with their DNA just because we thought "flatter" meant "cuter."
Pugs have been around forever. Like, BC-era China forever. They were the pampered lapdogs of emperors, living lives of total luxury while everyone else was out tilling fields. But the pug of the Han Dynasty wasn't the same creature breathing heavily on your sofa right now.
What did pugs look like "before"?
The historical pug—let's call him the "Legacy Pug"—was a different beast entirely. If you check out William Hogarth’s 1745 self-portrait, The Painter and his Pug, you’ll see Trump (the dog, not the politician). Trump had a distinct muzzle. It wasn't a German Shepherd snout, but it was definitely there. His legs were longer. His body was leaner. He looked like a dog that could actually chase a squirrel without needing an inhaler five minutes later.
Back then, the breed didn't have the extreme "brachycephalic" features that define the modern standard. Brachycephalic basically just means "short-headed." In the 18th and 19th centuries, the pug's tail was curled, sure, but the spine wasn't as compressed. The "after" version we see today is the result of very specific, very intentional Victorian-era breeding. When pugs arrived in England, they became the "it" dog. And when something becomes trendy, humans tend to turn the volume up to eleven. We wanted more wrinkles. We wanted flatter faces. We wanted that "button" nose buried deep between two rolls of skin.
This wasn't just an aesthetic shift. It was a functional one. Or, more accurately, a dysfunctional one.
The turning point in the 1800s
By the mid-1800s, two distinct strains of pugs emerged in England: the Willoughby and the Morrison lines. The Willoughbys were developed by Lord and Lady Willoughby de Eresby. These dogs were often a "smutty" silver-fawn color with thinner bodies. Then you had the Morrisons, bred by Mr. Morrison of Walham Green. These guys were stockier and had that rich apricot-fawn coat we see all the time now.
Eventually, these lines crossed. The result? A heavier, more compact dog.
As dog shows like Crufts became the gold standard for what a "perfect" breed should look like, the "after" phase of the pug really kicked into high gear. Breeders began chasing the "Standard of Perfection." Unfortunately, that standard prioritized a "large, massive, round" head and a "short and square" muzzle. Every generation, the face got a little flatter. The eyes got a little more prominent. The skin got a little more folded. It’s a classic example of runaway selection. We liked a trait, so we bred for it until it became a health liability.
Why the "after" matters for their health
It’s not just about looks. Honestly, the pugs before and after comparison is a bit heartbreaking when you look at the veterinary data. Modern pugs often struggle with BOAS (Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome). Because their skulls are so compressed, the soft tissue inside—like the soft palate—doesn't have enough room. It hangs down and blocks the airway. That’s why pugs snort. That’s why they "reverse sneeze." It’s the sound of a dog struggling to get enough oxygen through a restricted pipe.
Then there are the eyes. Old-school pugs had eyes that sat firmly in their sockets. Modern pugs have shallow sockets. This leads to a terrifying condition called proptosis, where the eye can actually pop out of the socket due to minor trauma or even a heavy play session.
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And the tail? That cute double curl? It’s actually a genetic deformity of the vertebrae called hemivertebrae. In the "before" era, the curl was less intense. In the "after" era, breeding for a tighter curl has occasionally led to spinal issues and paralysis because the same genes that curl the tail can also mess with the spine in the back.
The "Retro Pug" movement: Going back to the "before"
Lately, there’s been a massive backlash against the extreme features of the modern pug. You might have heard of the "Retromops" or "Retro Pug." This is a deliberate attempt by some breeders, particularly in Germany and the Netherlands, to move the pug back toward its historical "before" state.
They do this by outcrossing. They take a purebred pug and mix it with something like a Jack Russell Terrier or a Beagle (creating a "Puggle" or similar hybrid), then breeding back to pugs over generations. The goal? Bring back the snout. Give the dog some neck. Clear up the breathing.
It’s controversial. Purebred purists hate it. They say it ruins the "type" and the temperament. But health advocates argue that the current "type" is a biological dead end. In 2022, a study by the Royal Veterinary College in the UK even suggested that pugs can no longer be considered "typical dogs" from a health perspective because their health profiles are so vastly different—and worse—than other breeds.
The Nuance of the Breed
It isn't all gloom and doom, though. Pugs are loved for a reason. Their temperament is basically unparalleled. They are "multum in parvo"—a lot of dog in a small space. They’re goofy, affectionate, and weirdly empathetic. Owners will tell you that a pug doesn't just sit with you; they are with you. That hasn't changed from the "before" to the "after." Whether it’s a 17th-century Chinese royal dog or a 21st-century Brooklyn apartment dog, the pug remains the ultimate companion.
But we have to be honest about the trade-offs.
When you look at pugs before and after, you’re looking at the power of human intervention. We created this. We took a healthy, robust little mastiff-type dog and shrunk it down, then squished it until it had trouble breathing. It's a heavy responsibility for any owner. If you’re looking to get one, you have to be aware that the "after" version comes with a list of maintenance requirements that would make a Ferrari owner blush.
- Weight management: Since they can't exercise as intensely as other dogs, they get fat easily. A fat pug is a pug that can't breathe.
- Fold cleaning: Those wrinkles need to be wiped daily to prevent yeast infections.
- Temperature control: They can't cool down via panting efficiently. Heatstroke is a constant threat.
Practical Steps for Pug Owners and Enthusiasts
If you’re obsessed with pugs but worried about the "after" transformation, there are ways to be a responsible fan of the breed.
First, look for "functional" breeders. Some breeders are now prioritizing health over show-ring ribbons. They’re selecting for slightly longer muzzles and wider nostrils (stenotic nares). Ask to see the parents. Do they wheeze just standing there? If so, the puppies likely will too.
Second, consider a "Retro" variant if you aren't dead-set on a kennel club-registered purebred. These dogs often have significantly fewer respiratory issues and can live longer, more active lives.
Third, if you already have a modern pug, prioritize a BOAS assessment. There are surgeries available now that can thin out the soft palate and widen the nostrils. It’s a game-changer. It’s basically like giving the dog a nose job that lets them actually experience a full breath of air for the first time in their lives.
Finally, support organizations like the Pug Dog Club of America or the UK Kennel Club when they push for health-based judging standards. The "after" of the pug doesn't have to be the final chapter. We can use the same selective breeding that got them into this mess to help them get out of it. We can move back toward that Hogarth-era dog—leaner, healthier, and just as charming—without losing the soul of the breed.
The story of pugs before and after is a reminder that what we find "cute" has real-world consequences. Being a pug lover means wanting what's best for the dog, not just what looks funniest in an Instagram photo. Keep them lean, keep them cool, and always watch that breathing.
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Maintain a strict weight limit for your pug. Even two extra pounds can drastically decrease their ability to regulate their body temperature. Use a harness instead of a collar to avoid putting any extra pressure on their already compromised windpipes. Schedule annual eye exams to check for pigmentary keratitis, a common "after" trait where pigment grows over the eye surface due to irritation from those prominent facial folds.