Pug – The Complete Breed Guide

Welcome to our guide to the Pug.

The DogExperts.info website aims to ask questions to breeders, vets and experienced owners to get the answers to your most frequently asked questions about the Pug breed of dog.

You can also help too!

If you can answer any of the questions below, then please add your comments to the box at the bottom of the page or you can email us at sales@dogexperts.info.

We would love to feature your dog and publish any photos or pictures of your Pug you would like to email us.

Are you looking to buy a Pug – then see our list of Pug breeders.

Pug Owner Interview

Below we feature an interview with the owner and “mother” of a pug named Doris.

Can you tell us who you are and where you live?

Hi my name is Kylie, mother of Doris the Pug. We have a family of 5 including a Pug named DORIS. We live in the Hills District of NSW, Australia.

How long have you owned a Pug?

Doris is going to be two this month (21st February). We met Doris when she was only one week old. We visited her regularly with our children until we were allowed to bring her home at 8 weeks of age.

Where did you buy her from?

We know a pug breeder who we have bought off before. They are a trusted home who cares for them in great clean and loving conditions. We urge anyone to not buy shop-bought puppies as you are not sure where they have come from. If buying from a breeder, visit them so you’d know the dogs are being properly cared for.

From your experience what makes this breed so special?

Pugs are a breed on their own, their big eyes and squashed stubby noses just have a huggable teddy bear like look to them. They look grumpy a lot of the time which makes you just want to hug them more.

What type of personality/temperament do they have?

Love cuddles and attention. Easily pleased and adaptable. FUNNY! That face you just can’t help laughing at. Great with kids as they are gentle and love to play. Can be stubborn, cheeky, bold and sneaky.

I believe the Pug is quite a popular dog on social media/Internet these days, can you tell us how this started?

You often see these dogs dressed in fancy clothes or costumes, some may say “let a dog be a dog” or “leave them be” .. the truth is they actually love the attention. They love to be touched, cuddled and appreciated. They are part of the family and really feel they are just another human family member (as they should). They are cute, and their faces hold an indescribable character about them. They have a sad looking face which makes you try harder to cheer them up. .. although we all know it is just their (excuse the language and cliché) “Resting bitch face”.

What are your feeding routines, such as how often and what types of food do you feed the Pug?

Pugs are prone to being overweight, so you need to make sure they are not over fed. Dry biscuits breakfast and dinner and a treat or two only a day. Overweight pugs is common and unhealthy, can cause diabetes and heart problems to name a couple.

Have you encountered any health issues?

Luckily no. Their short snout is not actually as short as people believe. The “Nose bone” is usually still just as long as a normal breed dog, but just squished more into its head. This causes breathing problems if it then covers their airway. Doris has not had this but we have been told to look out for snoring when sleeping, finding it hard to breathe in non-stressful situations as well as after a good run.

Obviously grooming is another major aspect of owning a Pug, can you offer any tips, advice and popular accessories for your Pug?

They shed. A lot. So brushing them is advisable to keep them comfortable and from spreading it everywhere. I find the NuBrush the best. It is a circle brush with fine bristles that is gentle enough so they think you are just giving them a nice pat. Bath once a month (unless overly dirty) as their natural oils are better for their coat.

Any other useful tips and advice that you can offer to potential new owners?

Love your pug. The more you love them the more they will fit into your family. They are ‘kids’ still, so be easy on them, but be strong with their training. The “Puppy Stage” DOES get better, about a year and a half years old the chewing, jumping, overloaded toddler energy will decrease. Hold out that “Puppy Stage” it will be worth it and they will be your best friend and soooo much fun :-)

Thank you so much for this wonderful interview and for sharing the lovely photos of Doris. Oh, and please send our birthday greetings to Doris!

If you want to find out more, you can visit this page:

www.facebook.com/doristhepugcuteuniqueadorable

Why Choose a Pug?

What type of owners buy a Pug?

What in your opinion are the best things about the Pug breed?

Why do you think the Pug is special?

What are your favourite things about the Pug?

Are you glad you choose to buy a Pug and not another breed?

How would you describe the Pug temperament?

What advice might you give to people thinking about whether they should buy a Pug over other breeds?

History & Origins

What are the history and origins of the Pug?

About The Breed

What colors of Pug are most popular?

What does the Pug look like?

What are the pros/cons of the Pug breed?

What can a new owner expect in terms of differences between the Pug and other breeds?

Do they attract a lot of interest and curiosity from the public?

What type of typical personality does the Pug have?

Is it possible to describe a fairly typical Pug?

What is the breed standard/description for the Pug?

Were there particular colors people preferred and that maybe you focused on?

Are there any downsides to owning a Pug that prospective owners should be aware of?

Is the Pug breed of dog suitable for first-time dog owners?

Some breeds can be described as greedy and prone to weight issues, would this apply to the Pug?

What are the key differences when compared to other breeds?

Is the Pug breed suitable for a person or family that are out at work all day?

Some owners seek a breed suitable for barking and offering a guard dog role – how does the Pug match up to that role?

Are there myths about the Pug – in other words do new potential owners come to you with misconceptions about this breed?

We asked a number of breeders in the UK and America what essential advice they would give to new owners of Pug puppies and this is what they said:

What types of questions do you get once owners get their Pug home?

Can you tell us something most owners would not know – tips, secrets etc from your years of experience?

What is the typical temperament of a Pug, so people know what to expect from their new pet?

When fully grown how much on average does a Pug weigh?

When the Pug is full grown in size what is the maximum height and length expected to be?

Is the Pug ever crossed or mixed with other breeds of dog?

Does the Pug smell or drool a lot?

Do you have a Pug growth chart?

What breed group does the Pug come under?

What type of coat do they have?

Can they swim?

What does the movement of the tail show, does it mean they are trying to ‘talk to us’ or give us some message?

Suitability

Are there some types of people that you can suggest the Pug is not suitable for, perhaps families?

How is the Pug with children?

Do you think the Pug is suitable for families with young children?

How does the Pug get along with other (existing) pets and do you have any tips or advice for new Pug owners in terms of successful integration?

Is it better to buy one Pug or two?

Should prospective new owners be aware of any differences between males and females?

Would the Pug be suitable as a guard dog?

Can I leave my Pug during the day while I go to work?

Lifespan

What is the expected average lifespan of the Pug?

In terms of life expectancy, how long on average would the Pug breed live to?

Food & Diet

Do you have any special feeding routines or diet?

Do you have any feeding advice or brands that you prefer?

How to handle the Pug puppy to start off – how much food, what type, how often?

What feeding routines and types of food/supplements do you recommend?

What to buy in terms of equipment? Bowls etc

Do owners need to consider supplements for their Pug?

How about for older dogs?

Buying – How Much Do They Cost?

How much did your Pug cost to buy?

Can you offer advice to people looking to buy a Pug and how much should they spend?

What advice would you offer new Pug owners?

What types of people are buying the Pug and why?

Where can I buy Pug rescue dogs or find a Pug for adoption? Please note that buying or searching for a ‘cheap’ Pug can be false economy as they may have health issues that cost you far more in the long-term – always buy from a good and responsible breeder!

Do I need public liability insurance or a license?

Puppy

How would you describe the Pug puppy to potential new owners?

What types of owners are best suited to owning a Pug?

What colors and sizes are most popular?

Are there things new owners do that perhaps frustrate you?

What can people expect when they become a new owner?

What inspired you to become a breeder and did you start with the Pug?

As a Pug breed expert, are there any ‘essential’ tips you would like to share with new owners?

Are there specific times of the year that you breed?

Choosing a puppy from a litter, what advice could you offer potential new owners in terms of selecting ‘the one’?

How long does it take to housetrain/potty train a Pug?

When can you take them out in public and how do you handle them around other dogs?

Will they run off – when is it safe to let them off the lead?

We invite you to email us your Pug’s pictures, in particular we are looking for photos showing Pug puppies at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 weeks old as well as early pictures such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 months old to a year old.

Do they have any nicknames or does the Pug have popular names?

If my Pug is pregnant what might the litter size be?

Could the Pug be dangerous around young children?

Problem Behaviors

How do you deal with a problem barker – any tips and advice to new owners?

How do you prevent a Pug biting?

How do you prevent a Pug chewing?

How do you stop a Pug jumping up?

Does the Pug have an issue with excessive digging?

Why does my Pug keep growling and barking?

Is there a reason my Pug dog is often scratching excessively?

Do they suffer from separation anxiety and how can I prevent this?

Exercise

In comparison perhaps to other breeds what can you say about the Pug and their exercise needs and do you have any tips or advice for new Pug owners?

As a breeder of the Pug , do you prefer a collar or harness?

As an expert of the Pug breed do you prefer a standard leash or retractable?

Can you offer any dog walking tips for Pug owners?

Playtime & Tricks

What games and toys can you recommend for the Pug?

Are there toys you suggest avoiding?

How intelligent is the Pug compared to other dog breeds?

How much can they understand?

Grooming

Do you have any special grooming routines or tips and advice for new Pug owners?

How much time is involved?

What accessories are required to be purchased for grooming a Pug?

Any advice/tips you can give concerning maintenance of nails?

How much do Pug shed and how do I maintain their hair and how often?

How can I prevent or cure ear infections?

Do you have any tips for eye care?

Is the Pug a hypoallergenic breed?

Bathing

Any advice/tips you can give concerning cleaning and bathing your Pug?

Can you offer new Pug owners advice concerning fleas and maybe products you use in treatment and prevention?

Showing

What advice and tips could you offer to owners who might wish to follow your path in showing the Pug?

What started your interest in showing the Pug?

If a new owner perhaps wanted to meet other owners or find out more – perhaps they have an interest in joining a local club or maybe they wonder how they can start showing their Pug – where would they begin?

Can you offer any advice to others who may be wondering if they can also start showing?

How would an owner know they have a show-quality Pug and how would they start off?

Can you give away any of your secrets?!

Is showing very expensive and why do you think people like to do it?

What do judges look for in a winner?

Breeding

What inspired you to become a breeder and did you start with the Pug?

What official organisations are there for the new Pug owner and what benefits or services do they provide?

In buying a Pug, can you offer advice and tips to new owners?

How did you go from being an owner to getting into breeding?

Do you think the breed’s popularity has increased, decreased or remains the same?

How did you progress to becoming a breeder and why focus on breeding the Pug out of all the breeds you could have chosen?

What do you think makes the Pug special to you?

Are there things that you see owners doing that frustrate you?

As a breed expert, are there any ‘essential’ tips you would like to share with new owners?

Training

In comparison perhaps to other breeds what is it like to train a Pug and do you have any tips or advice for new Pug owners?

How should new owners approach bringing a new Pug home, any advice and tips you can give?

Should I allow my Pug to sleep in my bed or elsewhere in the house?

Do you recommend crate training and how long does this take?

Should my Pug sleep in a kennel or crate?

Health

Health is always a major concern when buying a dog, do you have any advice for new Pug owners to be aware of in particular?

Are there any health-related tips you can give to owners?

What sort of health issues should owners be on the lookout for?

What is the recommended schedule for vaccinations for your Pug?

Can you offer any advice on how to treat and prevent worms?

What type of health issues can a Pug have and how do you deal with preventing these?

Why does my Pug have diarrhea?

Do they suffer from itchy and sensitive skin and if so why?

Why is my Pug vomiting and do I go to the vets?

When should I take my Pug for vaccinations and which ones do they need and how often?

How often will my Pug be in heat?

Should I consider getting my Pug spayed or neutered and when and how much does this cost and what are the benefits?

My Pug is limping, what should I do and should I go to a veterinarian surgeon?

Do they suffer from allergies?

Why is my Pug not eating?

How much does it cost to insure my Pug?

What healthcare issues or diseases might be excluded from companies that provide Pug dog health insurance? (under health)

Old Age

What age would you class as an ‘older or senior’ Pug?

Do you notice any changes in their behaviour?

What changes in food and diet would you suggest making for an older Pug?

Do you feed any supplements to an older Pug – or anything else which helps them as they age?

Are there any health issues particular to a senior Pug dog?

Do you have any advice for owners of an older/senior Pug or tips you can pass on?

Prepare for cuteness overload in this video of pug puppies!