Pug

Coat & Grooming: Pugs have a fine, thick, short coat that needs to be brushed often, but does not require any advanced grooming. Their face wrinkles are dense and moisture can become trapped between the folds, which can lead to infection. The rolls need to be carefully cleaned and thoroughly dried routinely. Pugs also have other body wrinkles and skin rolls, especially around their necks, shoulders and corkscrew tails, that need to be groomed for debris and kept in good condition.

If you use a groomer’s noose to stabilize your Pug on a table during grooming, ensure that it’s not too tight, as this can restrict breathing, and also predispose him to an eye injury known as “proptosis.” The pressure on the neck can cause their already prominently bugged eyes to actually pop out of the socket, potentially causing complete loss of vision.

Coat length: Short
Grooming: Frequent

Shedding: Double-coated dogs, like the Pug, shed a considerable amount, especially during the spring and fall. Regular brushing will help keep stray hairs in check, so purchase a good quality brush and use it on your Pug at least twice weekly. You’ll also want to vacuum carpets and furniture frequently to keep the amount of free hair in the environment to a minimum.

Training: Pugs rank below average in obedience and working intelligence. But Pugs do have a clear mission, and that’s to keep their people company at all times. They can be stubborn and difficult to housebreak, but that doesn’t mean they won’t follow commands, learn tricks, or act obediently; however, they don’t quickly pick up on specific instructions. Pugs have a low prey-drive but are highly food motivated, so carrying a few healthy treats is a must when training. Just remember to reward in moderation! Those with calm dispositions make great therapy dogs.

Barking: Pugs bark less than the average small dog. They have a high-pitched bark and sometimes sing out rough howls and yowls. They may bark when there are visitors at the door, exciting games with people and other dogs, and possibly loneliness or boredom. Pugs also commonly make a variety of other sounds like snorting, grunting, wheezing and snoring.

Temperament & Behavior: Pugs are most often described as multum in parvo, which translates to “a lot of dog in a small package.” They tend to have personalities that exceed the limits of their bodies. Quirky, companionable, playful, loving, and outgoing are traits of the standard Pug. Despite the fact that the average Pug sleeps for 14 hours a day, they can adapt impressively well to different lifestyles. A Pug is more than obliged to be wherever its presence is required, and even where it’s not. One of the few activities they simply cannot tolerate is sitting alone for too long.

Though generally good tempered, Pugs can be stubborn and difficult to train. They can be jealous of other pets and of people. Because Pugs are small, charming, and attached, they are often spoiled by their owners, which exacerbates entitled behaviors and causes more problems.

Behavior with Kids: Pugs are great around kids. They’re small and sturdy, which makes them easy to handle. They’re not prone to snapping or aggression and have enough enthusiasm to make perfect playmates, though small children need to be taught to handle them with care.

Protection: Pugs are known as friendly and gregarious dogs, but are also deeply loyal. While they may not fight off intruders, they are alert to and ready to sound the alarm when necessary.

Life Span: On average, Pugs live to be about 13-15 years old.

Inherited Health Issues: As a Pug owner, you’ll likely deal with a few health issues that are known to be inherited, or are common, in the breed. Like all short-nosed (or “brachycephalic” dogs), Pugs have difficulty properly moving air through nasal and oral passages, which complicates their ability to oxygenate and to cool themselves.

As with most hereditary conditions, careful selection of breeding pairs can decrease the chances that these undesirable traits are present in litters. In the Pug, it’s possible for breeders to remove dogs from the breeding pool if they have small nasal passages (stenotic nares) and elongated soft palates; doing so will help to prevent respiratory issues in the offspring. There are also a number of genetic conditions that can be detected by testing proposed breeding animals. The prospective Pug owner should carefully question breeders regarding their practices for limiting genetic issues in puppies. Conditions seen more frequently in Pugs may include, but are not limited to, the following: Allergies, Tail and facial fold dermatitis, Cancer, Patellar luxation, Pug encephalitis, Distichiasis, KCS (dry eye), Pigmentary keratitis, Dystochia, Brachycephalic airway syndrome and Tracheal collapse.

Preventive Care: Because Pugs have issues associated with breathing and cooling themselves, it’s imperative for owners of Pugs to keep them cool in warm environments. Monitor your Pug closely when he’s outside, even when the weather doesn’t seem that hot. Their short noses make it difficult for them to move air, and panting is essentially the only way dogs can cool themselves, so they can very easily become overheated.

Pug owners love all of the wrinkles they have around their face and tail. But these areas can become breeding grounds for microorganisms; especially yeast. Keeping these areas clean and dry can go a long way towards preventing these types of infections. Your veterinarian can recommend specific types of cleaners and/or wipes that are specially designed for this purpose.

Pugs have a number of eye issues, so be diligent about monitoring for any excessive eye discharge or redness. Also, allergies are very common in Pugs, and the fatty acids found in fish oils may limit the inflammation associated with allergies. Use a top quality product that is specifically formulated for dogs.

Pugs love food, and this is unfortunate, because obesity complicates their inherent respiratory difficulties. Pug parents should be scrupulous about feeding, and avoid getting into the habit of feeding treats or table scraps. It’s not a bad idea to consider feeding a “weight control” formula food from the beginning of adulthood. Get your veterinarian’s help in determining an ideal weight for your individual Pug.

Daily Consumption: Average daily consumption for an adult Pug is 1/3 to 2/3 cups

Energy Level: Not interested in exercise, would rather doze the day away

Exercise: Pugs are somewhat sedentary dogs that don’t need much exercise. Like all breeds, they need to be walked regularly, but a rigorous workout schedule is not necessary. In fact, owners should use caution when Pugs are vigorously active because the dogs can overheat easily. In addition, their short coats and size make them sensitive to cold weather. Expect to see them sporting doggie jackets in the winter and sitting in front of the AC in the summer.

Pugs are voracious eaters and prone to obesity. It’s critical that they receive adequate regular exercise and maintain a healthy diet. Extra pounds on a small dog will subtract years off its life expectancy, so don’t indulge a Pug’s bulgy-eyed begging!

Climate: Pugs are sensitive to extreme climates. Very cold weather is tough on a small, short-coated dog like this and they can’t tolerate heat very well because of their flat muzzles.

Living space: Pugs are ideal dogs for apartment living. Their small stature and limited exercise needs can be easily accommodated within any kind of living space.