I don't really agree with some of you, pure bred cats are not being bred to be un-natural or deformed. I have a Blue Persian, he has no breathing problems or eye problems. If animals are being bread by responsible breeders they are usually quite healthy and happy animals. However it is very disturbing to see so many unwanted dogs and cats at the humaine society, but that is where I found my "Bello". Not all animals end up there due to uniformed owners. Bello was owned by someone who loved and cared for him very well, but unfortunate situations arise, and his owner died, family members were unable to care for him and I was lucky eniough to get him.
I do agree though some breeders are very irresponsible, they sometimes tend to breed for extreme looks instead of health and confirmation. If you are an informed buyer and do the proper research before buying a pure bred animal of any type "smushed-in face" or not you should never have any type of un-natural health problems. If cats are being bread for certain traits they obviously are not meant to live in the wild like someone else said a cat should be able to do. I hope I'm not sounding too negative, because truly, I am a pet-a-holic.