One of the most popular and talked about dogs today is the Pug. A small dog with a lot of personality, these pups are loving and easy to train. They’re known for being very affectionate and the perfect companion, and also great for first time pet owners. 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 Pug
In recent years, the popularity of the Pug has greatly increased which has put a huge strain on breeders. Vets have urged people to buy only from responsible breeders and to make sure that owners fully understand the needs of this little pup before buying. However, when raised properly, they are an excellent pet to have.
Both the American Kennel Club (AKC) and the World Canine Organization recognize the Pug. Other clubs that also recognize this dog are the Canadian Kennel Club, the British Kennel Club, the New Zealand Kennel Club and the United Kennel Club. They are classified as companion dogs in the Toy Group.
Breed Origin
One of the oldest dog breeds in history, the Pug dog could be dated as far back as 700 BC. It is thought they were originally worshiped in Egypt and bred as companion dogs for Tibetan Buddhists. Then, around two thousand years ago, the Pug came to China where it is believed they originated from. Many Emperors believe that these dogs brought good luck and began to worship them.
In the 1500s, Dutch traders brought the 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 United States.
Characteristics Of The Pug
Pugs fall 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.
The price for a Pug puppy can be anywhere between $600 to $2000. You should always make sure you are buying from a reputable breeder and be wary of very cheap offers. These are normally the dogs that have more health issues.
The Pug has had a few issues within breeding. Through overbreeding and selectively breeding excessively flat-faced Pugs, these pups have developed more health issues than their ancestors would have had. The rise in demand for these designer dogs has created this welfare problem. Lets take a look at their characteristics to learn more.
Appearance
By the time your 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 coat that is also smooth and doesn’t require a lot of grooming. We will go into more detail about that later on. They do shed, although this is not excessively. Black Pugs will shed less than their fawn colored siblings.
Color
The Pug can either be fawn in color or black in color. The fawn Pug normally has a black mask on their face, while the black Pug is black all over. The black one is usually less expensive than the fawn one because they are not in such high demand.
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 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 Pug has an average life expectancy of around 12 to 15 years. This is relatively long for a dog, especially when we take a look at their health issues!
Known Health Issues
All dogs are prone to health problems, but, unfortunately, Pugs are known to be one of the unhealthiest dogs. 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, as well as cherry eye and entropion.
Regular vet checkups and keeping an eye on your dog will ensure you can catch any of these issues before they become untreatable.
Remember — buy from a reputable breeder and the chances your dog will suffer any health conditions will be greatly reduced. Trusted breeders will do health checks on both parents and will not breed if there is a chance of passing on any severe issues to offspring.
Daily Life
Now we know all about the traits and characteristics of the Pug, we can take a look at what living with one of these dogs on a day-to-day basis is actually like. We will cover their food and diet, their exercise requirements and their grooming needs.
Food And Diet
It is advised that a Toy dog of this 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.
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.
High-quality dry dog food with added water for moisture is advised for this type of dog. Always make sure that it is a nutritious diet that hits all the food groups. Of course, you should always check the back of the food packet to see how much of a certain food you should be feeding your dog based on their weight. Take a look at the dog food we recommend below.
Best Dog Food For The Pug
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We recommend the Hill’s Science Diet Adult Perfect Weight dry dog food for the 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
Unfortunately, due to their flat face, lots of exercise is not possible for the Pug. Because they have trouble breathing, exercise can become an issue very early on in their life and this is why they can gain weight. However, this doesn’t mean that your Pug doesn’t need any exercise. You should take them for two 20 minute walks everyday. The upside of this is that 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.
Pugs are very sociable dogs, so taking them on different routes so you can introduce them to new sounds and smells is advisable. 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 and need to be kept mentally stimulated. Between walks you should ensure you make time to play games with them and keep them entertained. Remember, they love spending time with you, so the more you do it, the happier they will be!
Family Compatibility
A Pug is a perfect family member. 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.
Unfortunately, the Pug can suffer from separation anxiety and does not like to be left alone. They really do want to be around humans all the time! You shouldn’t think about getting one of these dogs if you are going to be out of the house for hours at a time. Fortunately, socialization can help.
Because they are a little dog, the Pug does not have great exercise needs or high energy levels 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
Pugs are a very intelligent dog, which makes training them easy. You should always use positive reinforcement training and reward based training, in the form of both verbal praise and treats, to show them that they are doing a good job.
They can be a little stubborn at times, 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
Socializing your dog is 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, smells, sights, people and animals, 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
The Pug does not have very high grooming requirements. The fawn Pug will shed more than the black one and therefore requires a little more grooming. You should brush them two to three times a week to help shed any loose hairs and this will help to keep their coat in the best condition.
Pugs have wrinkles on their faces and bacteria can become trapped in these folds. You will need to keep an eye on this and wash between their folds as and when is needed. Trimming their nails should be done frequently too, especially if they are not exercising very much because they won’t be being worn down by outdoor surfaces.
You should ensure that you brush their teeth regularly to help prevent dental decay and disease. If it is easier, you can always give them dental sticks to chew on.
Pug FAQ’s
How much does a Pug cost?
The price of a Pug puppy depends on a few things. First of all, it can depend on the breeder and how reputable they are. The more expensive your Pug is, the more likely the breeder is responsible and has done their homework, checking for health issues within the parent breeds.
The color of your Pug can also change the price. Fawn colored Pugs are more expensive than black colored Pugs because they are higher in demand. A fawn colored Pug can cost between $600 to $2000, while a black Pug can cost between $500 to $800.
If this is out of your price range, you can always check your local animal shelter and see if there are any there that need a home. Unfortunately, Pugs can often be found in shelters because owners do not do enough research about them before they buy and then cannot look after them properly.
Are Pugs aggressive?
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!
Summary
The Pug is an adorable and loving Toy breed. Playful and energetic, this dog loves to play and thrives around humans, especially children. For this reason, the Pug makes the perfect family dog and will want to spend the day by your side — whether it’s playing outside or curled up on the couch. Although they can be prone to some health issues, these dogs are relatively low maintenance and do not have high grooming or exercise needs, and do well in small apartments. Perfect as a first dog, do you think a Pug could be for you?