The Black Pug is a small dog with a lot of personality. Perfect for first time pet parents, the Black Pug is a loving and easy to train dog that is known for being very affectionate and the perfect companion. These pups are classified as a Toy breed because of their tiny size, which means they are a great canine for those with smaller spaces who still want a furry friend to cuddle!
This family orientated dog loves both adults and children and has a fun personality that’ll keep you on your toes. Read on below to find out more about this interesting little dog.
History Of The Black Pug
The Black Pug is one of the oldest purebred dogs in history and they have, therefore, been recognized for a long time by many different kennel clubs. The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized this dog in 1885 and the World Canine Organization recognized the Pug in 1966, too. Other clubs that also recognize this dog are the Australian National Kennel Council, the Canadian Kennel Club, the British Kennel Club, the New Zealand Kennel Club and the United Kennel Club.
Breed Origin
One of the oldest dog breeds in history, the Black Pug dog could be dated as far back as 700 BC. They were originally worshiped in Egypt and bred as companion dogs for Tibetan Buddhists. Then, around two thousand years ago, the Black Pug came to China and many Emperors believe that these dogs brought good luck and began to worship them.
In the 1500s, Dutch traders brought the Black Pug from China to England and Holland and these pups became a popular dog among aristocracy and royalty. This included William III, Queen Victoria, Josephine Bonaparte and Marie Antoinette. After the Civil War they made their first appearance in the US.
Characteristics
The Black Pug falls under the Toy breed and they are known for being extremely cute. These dogs are normally born in litters of one to nine puppies, although four to six puppies is most common. Because the Black Pug is less popular than fawn Pugs, you may end up spending only $500 to $800 on a Black Pug puppy.
Appearance
By the time your Pug dog is 8 weeks old, they will be ready to leave their mother and come home with you. They will be roughly between 2 to 4 lb. By the time your Pug is one year old they will be fully-grown and considered an adult. They can weigh up to 20 lbs, but the breed standard suggests they should weigh between 13 to 18 pounds.
Because the Pug is in the Toy category, they normally stand between 10 to 14 inches. Although they are small, they are quite stocky animals and are normally short legged with a symmetrical cobby body and a large apple shaped head.
Their muzzle is short and blunt, but it shouldn’t be pointing upwards. The face is one of the most distinctive features of a Pug. They should also have a corkscrew tail.
Coat
The Pug coat is short, straight and soft. Unlike fawn colored Pugs, Black Pugs have a single coat which does mean they will shed less than their fawn siblings. That being said, Black Pug dogs are still known to shed and will lose more hair in the warmer seasons, which means they are not a good pet to have in the house if you have allergies!
Your Pug’s coat should also be shiny, which is one way that you can tell they are getting the right nutrients and the right diet. We go into more detail about grooming your Pug later on.
Color
Of course, Black Pugs should be black all over! Some may have white markings on their body called “mismark”, however. The brindle colorway that some Pugs may have should not be confused with the black coloring. Brindle is a a striped pattern that combines black and brown and this coloring is not accepted in the breed standard.
Temperament
Pugs are bred to be companion puppies and will love to spend their days by your side. All they want is to be loved, and they will give plenty of this love back to you! The perfect family dog, Pugs love both adults and children.
These dogs are very energetic and love playtime. They especially love to play with their family and can go on for hours! However, once they are back home they will happily curl up next to you on the couch and relax too, making them the perfect best friend.
Although these dogs are very active and will want to play, they are also very relaxed dogs, which is what makes them such good first time pets. Training and socializing the Pug is not difficult and they get along with almost everyone and everything, so there shouldn’t be any issues.
The Black Pug is not a very talkative dog either, which is perfect for those who don’t want a dog barking long into the night! Although they don’t make very good guard dogs or watchdogs, they can become quite protective of their family. However, this does not come off as aggressive, and instead shows more of their curious nature.
Lifespan
The Black Pug has an average life expectancy of around 12 to 15 years. This is relatively long for a dog.
Known Health Issues
Unfortunately, like any dog, Pugs are known to have some health issues. Within this breed, the majority of their health problems are due to their flattened face. They are known as a brachycephalic breed which means they have a shortened airway due to their flattened face.
Their face can be the cause of many breathing issues, especially whilst exercising or during high temperatures. Before buying a Pug you should do your research on brachycephalic breeds and learn about the risks and issues that are associated with this breed.
The Pugs eyes can also be the cause of other health issues. Their skull structure means they have shallower eye sockets which gives them bulgy eyes. This can sometimes lead to cataracts and vision loss.
Daily Life
Now we know all about the temperament and characteristics of the Black Pug, it is time to take a look at what daily life is like with them. Read on below to find out about their food and diet, their exercise needs and what training a Pug is like.
Food And Diet
It is advised that a Toy dog of the Pug size should be eating around 40 calories per pound of their body weight everyday. This should be around 600 calories a day for an adult Pug. Until they are 6 months old they will need to be fed three times a day, then twice a day from six months to one year, and then once a day when they hit their adult age.
High-quality dry dog food with added water for moisture is advised for a Pug. Always make sure that it is a nutritious diet that hits all the food groups. They are a breed that can be known to gain weight, so try to stick to their diet and refrain from feeding them scraps. The more weight they gain, the more they will struggle with their breathing and may be prone to breathing problems.
Best Dog Food For The Black Pug
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We recommend the Hill’s Science Diet Adult Perfect Weight dry dog food for the Black Pug. This food is specially formulated for small and mini breeds and the kibble pieces are small in size, making them perfect for your dog’s little mouth.
This food is also made with real chicken as the number on ingredient and ensures your Pug will be getting all the nutrients they need. Even better, because the Pug can be known to gain weight, this food helps with weight management and ensures they maintain lean muscles throughout the course of their life.
Exercise
The Pug only has little legs which means their exercise needs are not great. This makes them the perfect pet for those who live in an apartment or don’t have a large space for a bigger dog to run around in. However, this doesn’t mean that your Pug doesn’t need any exercise. You should take them for two 20 minute walks everyday.
Pugs are very sociable dogs, so taking them on different routes so you can introduce them to new sounds and smells is advisable. Black Pugs, because of their dark coat, are more prone to overheating in the sun, so if you live in a hot part of the world then walking them at night or early in the morning is advised. Giving them a full body harness is also advised, as when they pull on it they won’t be obstructing their airway.
As we have mentioned before, Pugs love to play. Between walks you should ensure you make time to play games with them and keep them stimulated. Remember, they love spending time with you, so the more you do it, the happier they will be!
Family Compatibility
A Black Pug is a perfect family dog. First and foremost, these dogs love to be around people — both adults and children — and will be happiest when they are by your side, making them a true companion dog. The Pug is a loving and affectionate dog which makes them perfect for first time pet owners, and their needs are relatively small too, which doesn’t make them too difficult to own.
Because they are a little dog, the Black Pug does not have great exercise needs which means they are great for those who live in small apartments or those who do not have a yard for them to run around in. That being said, they do love to play, so you should make sure you have time to put aside for bonding with your Pug.
Training your Pug is simple too, and they get on well with other humans and animals. This includes other household pets such as cats and rabbits, and they will seek out humans for extra attention. Pugs also do not have high grooming needs — all you need to do is give them some love!
Training and Socializing
Pugs are a very intelligent dog, which makes training them easy. You should always use positive reinforcement and rewards in the form or verbal praise and treats to show them that they are doing a good job. They can be a little stubborn, but as long as you are consistent with them, then your Pug will learn. Never use harsh punishments with your Pug because this will upset them and you will not get any positive work from them.
Socializing your Pug is also simple, because they love other people. You should try taking them to new places as often as you can so they can experience new sounds and smells, although it is known that Pugs react very well in many different situations. Remember, these dogs just want to be loved and to play, so as long as you incorporate that wherever you go, they will be happy.
Grooming
Because the Black Pug has a short and smooth coat, their grooming needs are not too high. However, as we mentioned above, these doggies can be known to shed so giving them a brush every week is a good idea to help minimize any shedding.
You can bathe your Pug whenever you need to, although experts recommend that this should be done once a month. Because their eyes protrude, you should always use a Pug friendly shampoo so you ensure you don’t irritate their eyes. When bathing them you will need to ensure you clean the wrinkles on their face because bacteria and dirt can build up inside them and cause infection. Always ensure you take time to dry them properly, too.
Cleaning your Pug’s teeth is also important and should be done every day to prevent gum disease and decay. You can also used dental sticks if it is easier.
Make sure you start grooming your Pug from a young age so they get used to the routine. This will allow them to see that there is nothing to worry about and they do not need to be scared.
Black Pug FAQ’s
Are Pugs aggressive?
Black Pugs are not known for being aggressive dogs at all. The Pug is a loving and affectionate dog that makes the perfect companion. They love to be around humans, especially children, and other pets too. These dogs enjoy running and playing and will thrive in an environment where they can spend their day by your side. They also love to curl up next to you on the couch after a long day.
Pugs have been known to be protective over their humans, but this comes from a place of curiosity instead of hostility. Many people say that Pugs are the pooch that just want to be loved so no, they are not aggressive!
How much is a Black Pug?
A Black Pug is one of the cheaper variations of the Pug breed and are not as expensive as their fawn colored siblings. A Black Pug can cost you between $500 to $800. Always remember to buy from a reputable breeder.
If this is out of your price range, you can always check your local animal shelter and see if there are any Pugs there that need a home. There are many dogs in shelters who need loving and caring companions!
Summary
The Black Pug is an adorable and loving small breed of dog. Playful and energetic, this dog loves to play and will certainly keep you on your toes. Thriving around humans, especially children, the Black Pug makes the perfect family dog and will want to spend the day by your side — whether it’s playing the garden or curled up on the couch. These dogs are relatively low maintenance and do not have high grooming or exercise needs, and do well in small apartments. Perfect for first time dog owners, do you think a Black Pug could be for you?