Pugs are undeniably adorable with their distinct bug-eyed appearance and their charmingly wrinkled noses that captivate many people.

Similar to the French Bulldog, pugs have been cherished for their flattened faces for generations. However, when an MRI of a pug went viral on X, it uncovered some unsettling truths.

This pug MRI garnered over 130,000 likes and was widely shared when it was posted by comedian Andy Richter.

Richter mentioned that it was his friend’s pug who had visited the vet.

The image offers a shocking glimpse into the skeletal structure of pugs, with their bulging eyes and highly compressed facial features.

While some found it bizarre that they naturally appear this way, others sought to explain the underlying reasons.

As cute as pugs are, the dark truth is that they've been inbred to the point where they have health issues (Getty Stock Images)

Fortunately, the little pug was later given a ‘clean bill of health’ by the veterinarians, as shared by Richter in a follow-up tweet.

Nevertheless, experts have since revealed that pugs are generally not as healthy as they appear, and human intervention is to blame.

“Their faces have been shortened due to intensive breeding by humans, unfortunately,” Dr. Rory Cowlam, a veterinarian, told the Independent. “They have these large eyes and compact noses . . . This condition is known as brachycephalism.”

Like French Bulldogs, Shih Tzus are also affected by this condition, which can lead to significant breathing difficulties.

“Through human selection, we've bred them to resemble human babies because we find that appealing,” Cowlam explains. “Regrettably, this cute appearance is not in the best interest of the animal's health.”

“It is quite striking,” he added. “If you were to examine a cross-section of a pug’s head, this is what you would see. This slice is at the level of the eyes, looking head-on at the pug, just a few inches further back.”

Andy Richter shared the viral photo of the MRI scan (X)

These poor animals have been inbred to such an extent that their entire facial structure has been altered.

Historically, pugs likely had longer snouts, less protruding eyes that were positioned closer together, and a taller stature without the rounded appearance. However, centuries of selective inbreeding have transformed them.

Dr. Cowlam noted that he frequently sees brachycephalic dogs in his practice, suffering from medical issues due to their compact anatomy.

These issues can range from spinal problems to breathing difficulties, as their narrow nostrils don't allow sufficient airflow.

As a result, they may faint from over-exertion and struggle to cool themselves in hot weather, putting them at risk of heatstroke.