Pug

Introduction

Reading this, you may be one of the many people who can’t resist the cuteness, small size, and heart-sinking eyes of the Pug. This toy breed tends to win many hearts around the world with its small, stout structure. Pugs tend to grow to between 10-13 inches and weigh around 14-18Ibs. Therefore if you live in an apartment or urban area, this could be the breed for you!

Pugs are one of the least aggressive breeds in the world, they are all love and play so you’ll be in luck if you have children! They are a gentle breed and will snuggle up next to just about anyone. Similarly, the docile temperament of a pug allows them to get on well with other dogs and pets. And certainly don’t be surprised if a pug tries to climb into your lap after your long day at work.

But, you mustn’t underestimate a pug based on its cuteness, they can be cunning canines with a mischievous personality ready to deceive at any moment. They are incredibly clever and require plenty of mental stimulation to keep their minds active.

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History

While they may look young and small, the history of Pugs is ancient! According to The American Kennel Club, early signs of the Pug date back to the Han dynasty in China. To give you an idea, we’re talking 2000+ years ago! It’s believed they were deliberately bred by the Chinese, as emperors loved flat-faced dogs. Alongside Pug’s they bred the Shih Tzu and Pekingnese. In those days, if you lived outside of China and wanted a pet Pug, you would only be able to own one if it was gifted to you by a Chinese person.

Pugs were an exclusive status symbol, their lavish status continued later on after the Chinese started trading with Europeans. It’s believed that it was Dutch traders who brought them to Europe in the 1500s. The Pug was a favorite among Holland’s Royal House of Orange and their popularity quickly spread to more European countries and the rest of the world.

Appearance

Pugs are small in size with short legs and a sturdy stature. Unlike other breeds, a unique, distinctive quality about the Pug is that they have a curly tail. Their tail can often curl over once or twice, known as a double loop. Pugs also have a face that you will never forget. Their facial expression is often seen as comical due to their round head, flat face, short muzzle, protruding eyes, and plenty of wrinkles! This small dog breed is prone to getting deep wrinkles on their face and forehead, which adds to their unique image. Their coat can come in four different types of color: black, fawn, apricot, and silver fawn to add to their diversity. Likewise, they have a short, smooth double coat, which they shed in-between seasons.

Personality

If you’re a super active person who is looking for a running, hiking, or biking companion, this might not be the breed for you. Pugs have a sedentary nature and are more likely to want to snuggle up next to you exercise. This breed is known as a “velcro dog,” which means they tend to latch on their owner can become anxious when separated. While Pugs can be playful, affectionate, and intelligent, this breed is notorious for its stubborn nature. It’s not uncommon for a pug to become

the man (or woman) of the house, beating to the sound of their own drum and ignoring the commands of their owner!

Exercise Requirements

Pugs are easy to care for and do not require as much exercise as most dogs, but that doesn’t mean that they just want to sit around all day. While a 30-minute walk will often due, Pugs love to walk, play, and sniff, so don’t expect a happy pup if the only activity they receive is in the backyard. It is believed that Pugs should have around 40-60 minutes of exercise per day. But be aware that Pugs are a brachycephalic breed, which means they have difficulty breathing and regulating their internal body temperature. As a result, it’s best to break up their daily exercise regimen on warm days.

With Spot, walks are all private and on-leash to ensure your Pug is always receiving the one-on-one attention they deserve. Dog walks are also conveniently available on your schedule, on-demand walkers are available with as little as 90-minutes notice, while a Spot recurring walker will provide consistency and can be booked on a weekly ongoing basis. So whether you need a dog walker every month or every day, Spot is always just a few clicks away.

Training and Care

Due to their ‘eager to please’ personality, you would think a Pug would be easy to housetrain. However, Pugs require more patience and perseverance than most breeds and can take up to 18-months to fully housetrain. Pugs can also become distracted and bored very easily, but they are incredibly food motivated so it’s best to stick with positive reinforcement using with high-value treats.

Health

Pugs are prone to a number of heath problems, that being said the average pug lives 12-15 years… and the oldest ever recorded pug was one of the oldest dogs ever recorded at 27 years! The majority of their health problems stem from their face, their eyes are one of their most vulnerable features, commonly suffering from corneal ulcers and dry eyes.  And like all Brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds, Pugs often experience breathing problems.

• Brachycephalic Airway Obstruction Syndrome: Due to their flat face, they have trouble inhaling through their nose and have to breathe through their mouth.
• Pyoderma: A skin infection causing pimples and lesions to develop on a Pug.
• Eye difficulties: Pugs are no strangers to having discharge on their eyes, puss, and dirt coming in them.
• Pug Dog Encephalitis: A disease explicitly known for Pugs where their brains can get inflamed and can be life-threatening.

Grooming

Pugs are relatively easy to care for, but they do shed… a lot! Their double coat sheds twice per year, and plenty in between. Weekly brushing helps, but pug owners will admit that little works to keep their shedding at bay. It’s also very important to care for their wrinkles, in between every wrinkle, dirt, sweat, and bacteria can accumulate become trapped. Their wrinkles puts the pug at risk of skin infections, and should be cleaned multiple times per week using a cotton ball or cloth. Finally, pugs suffer from a number of dental issues as they age. Vets recommend daily tooth brushing, but if that’s not realistic just try to brush as often as possible and your pug (and wallet) will thank you in a few years.