Pug Dog Breed Complete Information

Pugs have always been bred as companion pets. They were kept by Chinese royalty and nobility, and there is evidence of pugs from the 1^st century BC onwards.

They are a highly recognizable breed, characterized by their “squished” faces and coat color.

Other Names: Chinese Pug, Dutch Mastiff

Country Of Origin: China

Dog Group: Toy/companion

Size: Small

Recommended For: Families, couples, single owners

Maintenance Level: Low/moderate

Lifespan: 9-11 years

Temperament: Friendly, cheeky, affectionate

FAQ:

Good For the First-Time Owner: Yes

Good With Children: Yes

Good With Other Animals: Yes

Good With Strangers: Sometimes

Good For Apartments: Yes

Exercise Requirements: Daily walking

Can Live In Hot Weather: Sometimes

Can Live In Cold Weather:  Yes

Can Tolerate Being Left Alone: Yes

Grooming: Moderate

Trainability: Easy/moderate

Breed Overview:

A pug is an ideal family pet because they’re friendly, affectionate, and very easy to care for.

However, owners should be aware that pugs are prone to many health conditions, many related to their short noses and breathing problems.

 Color: Fawn or black

 Height: 9-11 inches (male and female)

 Weight: 14-18lbs (male and female)

Personality and Temperament:

Pugs are very affectionate dogs and love to be around humans. Their sole purpose is to be a companion pet, meaning their main goal is to please their owners.

Pugs love to cuddle and form very strong emotional bonds with their owners.

Similarly, pugs are hilarious dogs that love to play. This makes pugs ideal family dogs because they’re particularly good around children.

A pug’s temperament is sociable and outgoing, and they’ll easily get on with every member of the family.

Pugs are generally easy to train, but their playful nature sometimes makes it hard for owners to be in control.

An untrained pug can be very rebellious, so obedience training should be started at a young age and continued throughout the dog’s life.

Pugs are also very good with other animals and are suitable to be kept with almost any other dog.

Some pugs might develop a tendency to chase birds or cats, but the breed’s size means it’s unlikely they’ll ever do any harm.

People looking for an easygoing dog that’ll get on well with other animals could do a lot worse than a pug.

One of the main benefits of pugs is that they don’t need too much exercise. Daily walking is still necessary because they’re particularly prone to obesity^[1], but these only need to be about 30 minutes long, maybe with the occasional longer walk thrown in.

Pugs can spend up to 18 hours a day sleeping, meaning they’d much rather lie about the house all day.

These reasons also mean that pugs are good for keeping in apartments. However, one thing owners should be aware of is that pugs love to bark.

Some owners might tell you otherwise, but many pugs enjoy barking at strangers or sudden noises. While this isn’t the end of the world, it can be difficult to manage if you live in an apartment.

One thing that all potential pug owners need to know is that pugs can have difficulty in hot weather.

Not only do they have a quite thick fur, but their flat noses mean they have difficulty breathing, and so have a harder time regulating their temperature.

Pugs will start having difficulty when temperatures reach 75 degrees and should be kept somewhere cool and not exercised.

Generally, it’s best to avoid keeping pugs in places that are too hot. It can be helpful to check with a local vet to see what they think about the idea.

On the other hand, pugs get on quite well in colder areas. Pugs in cooler climates will be much happier to play and exercise as much as you want.

Their thick fur means they find it easy to stay warm, and usually won’t even need an extra coat in the winter.

As mentioned, pugs love to bark, and one of the things they most enjoy barking at are strangers. Pugs aren’t necessarily wary of strangers, although they can be if they feel threatened.

However, this means they make pretty good alert dogs but obviously make rubbish protection dogs.

Although pugs are very sociable dogs, they can be left alone for long periods.

This makes them suitable for working owners, but pugs will be much happier if left with other dogs.

Also, they appreciate some mental stimulation to keep them occupied during the day.

Overall, pugs make a good choice for first-time owners because:

• they’re quite easy to care for
• they don’t need too much exercise,
• they can be kept almost anywhere due to their size.

However, first-time owners should be aware of the breed’s common health complications, as these can become expensive to manage.

Grooming:

Pugs have a short, double-layered coat that’s quite smooth and glossy. Pugs generally need little maintenance, but their coat sheds all year round.

This is best brushed out weekly using a rubber grooming glove or razor comb, and should ideally be done outside.

One thing owners need to pay attention to is a pug’s eyes. A pug’s bulbous eyes are very prone to problems because they catch debris very easily.

Even a small piece of grass can scratch their eye, which can lead to ulcers and other health problems.

Owners should pay attention to their pug’s eyes, checking them at least daily for signs of debris or damage. If caught early enough, any problems can be easily managed by a vet.

As with all breeds, owners should trim a pug’s nails regularly, and brush their teeth several times a week.

The pug’s jaw shape means they have some dental problems, but these can be avoided with regular brushing.

Common Diseases and Conditions:

Pugs are brachycephalic dogs. This means their skull is short and wide, which results in a lack of proper snout like other breeds.

Pugs have shortened airways, and their soft palate, which is found in their mouth, can sometimes be too long and overlaps their airways.

This is what usually causes a pug’s breathing problems, and leads to difficulty regulating temperature and issues when exercising too hard.

Some vets have started offering surgery to reduce a pug’s soft palate and open their nostrils, which can help but is also very expensive.

The biggest thing with this issue is that it’s present from birth, and is a part of the breed.

For this reason, owners should consider whether they will be happy to deal with any breathing problems when they arise, and the chances of them doing so are quite high.

Pugs are a bigger responsibility than people think and can become very expensive if not cared for properly.

Another common problem with pugs is obesity. It can be very difficult to keep a pug’s weight down, and owners should do this with a strict diet and plenty of exercises.

Obesity in dogs is just the same as obesity in humans and can lead to all the same health complications.

The final big problem with pugs is their eyes. Corneal ulcers are the biggest threat and can be caused by the most seemingly minor issue.

If left untreated, they can lead to blindness and surgery to remove the dog’s eye. It’s essential that owners always check a pug’s eyes, and get them to a vet as soon as possible.

So, if you’re thinking of getting this dog, as you have read, there are pros and cons of owning a pug.

History:

The history of pugs can be traced back to the first century BC. While the breed as we know it didn’t exist back then, similar dogs were owned by members of the Song dynasty, China’s ruling family.

Similarly, pugs were kept by Buddhist monks and Chinese nobility. They were sometimes given as gifts to foreign royalty or diplomats, but pugs were never sold because they were considered too valuable.

Pugs then became popular in Europe during the 16^th and 17^th centuries, again with nobility and royalty.

Pugs can be seen in plenty of Renaissance paintings, and also feature heavily in the work of William Hogarth, a famous 18^th-century painter.

Pugs continued to soar in popularity throughout the 18^th century and made it to the USA in the 19^th century.

Pugs were recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1885 and have been a common sight at dog shows since.

Similarly, pugs have remained a popular companion and family pet across the world.

Pug Facts & Figures 

Did You Know?

• Queen Victoria was a prolific pug breeder. She helped to establish the first Kennel Club because of her love for pugs, and her favorite included Fatima, Venus, and Olga.
• Pugs are probably one of the most recognizable pugs and feature heavily in pop culture.
• If you’re looking to buy a pug, expect to pay a hefty They can go for as much as 6,000USD, depending on lineage.
• Although fawn is the most popular color, black pugs are rising in popularity. Obviously, they have far more problems in hot weather.
• Napoleon’s wife, Josephine, owned a pug, and she used it to send secret messages while in prison.
• William of Orange, an English king, kept pugs. In fact, he liked them so much that there are statues of pugs on his tomb.

REFERENCES:

1.[^] O’Neill, Dan G, et al. “Demography and Health of Pugs under Primary Veterinary Care in England.” Canine Genetics and Epidemiology, BioMed Central, 10 June 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4903005/.