Helen Turner
A pug is an English dog breed recognized by the FCI. The four-legged friends belong to FCI Group 9 and are assigned to Section 11, the small rye-like dogs.
Pug Dog Breed
Size: 25-32cm
Weight: 6-14kg
FCI Group: 9: Companion and Companion Dogs
Section: 11: Small mastiff-like dogs
Country of origin: Great Britain
Colors: fawn, black, apricot, silver fawn, light fawn, silver
Life expectancy: 6-14 years
Suitable as: family and apartment dog
Sports: –
Character: Playful, Stubborn, Attentive, Sociable, Clever, Charming, Docile, Quiet
Outlet Needs: Medium
Drooling potential: low
The thickness of hair: high
Maintenance effort: low
Coat structure: fine, smooth, soft, short, shiny
Child-friendly: rather yes
Family dog: yes
Social: rather yes
Origin and breed history
The little dog originally came from Asia, probably straight from the German Empire, where it was kept as a ruler’s dog. It was the emperor’s privilege to own a pug. Therefore, the dogs had a high status among the Asians. Around the 16th century, the ancestors of today’s pug were shipped to Europe with the Dutch East India Company. So it came about that the dogs spread in the salons of the fine ladies and were only withheld from the fine society.
After that, other small breeds took over and the Pug almost fell into oblivion for a few decades. Since 1918, dogs have been considered fashion dogs again and have been very popular in Germany and around the world ever since. A large number of breeders show that the number of litters has increased and the popularity is not falling.
Nature and temperament of the Pug
As the historical origin already suggests, the dogs are very proud creatures. They radiate this both in their outward appearance and in their character. A pug is well aware of its position and must be taught the hierarchy between owner and dog through discipline and kindness.
However, the pug is considered a true family dog and loves to be cuddled together. The dogs get along very well with children and the elderly, as long as they do not see the dog as a toy or even a fashion doll. The animals of this dog breed are extremely intelligent. A Pug should be fully nurtured, both mentally and physically. A holistic promotion of skills is particularly important during growth. Pugs tend to overestimate themselves and often have difficulty assessing dangerous situations. Owners should therefore pay close attention to what their dog is doing and protect it from possible dangers.
Is the Pug a family dog?
Yes, these dogs make great family pets. They are suitable for a household with children as well as with older people.
The appearance of the Pug
The pug has an unmistakable look. The four-legged friend has a smooth, short, and particularly shiny coat. The fur comes in solid, black, and silver-grey colors. There are also a few different nuances of beige. The dogs have clear markings on their heads. The mask, the forehead spots, and the birthmarks on the head are clearly demarcated and black. The pug has very small ears that fall forward. The tail is set very high. Such a breed weighs an average of 5-8 kilos. The size is about 25 to 30 cm. Pugs used to have a severely dented nose, but this has not been encouraged for a number of years as it breeds some diseases.
Upbringing and keeping the Pug – this is important to note
A pug is only conditionally suitable for novice dogs. Rather, the dog should be in the hands of experienced owners, because the small dogs have extremely distinctive self-expression. They are reluctant to accept the hierarchy and are difficult to persuade to take on new commands. Despite their appearance, the four-legged friends are very enthusiastic runners and companions. Owners should use loving but strict training methods. Strict or even violence towards the dog is inappropriate and hinders the cooperation between humans and animals enormously.
Education is particularly important when purchasing a pug puppy. Learning the basic commands such as sit, down, and being housebroken is particularly quick at this stage and makes everyday life easier. Attending a dog school is highly recommended. There the dogs are socialized and learn together with conspecifics. In addition, the dogs have the opportunity to romp around together and test their physical limits. Puppy training should take place on the first day in the new home. The children living in the household must also be included in the input. Young dogs absorb commands faster and internalize them early.
How long can I leave my pug alone?
In general, dogs should not be left alone for more than five hours. The longer the pug is alone, the more mental and physical activity owners have to give them in the remaining time.
Diet of the Pug
Feeding a pug is particularly unproblematic as long as the owners make sure that the dog is not overweight. Being overweight in a dog of this size is fatal and can affect the joints and bones very quickly. The feed should therefore always be weighed carefully. The amount of feed can be precisely determined based on the weight, size, and age of the animal. In addition, the quantity information on the packaging of the respective feed provides good orientation and support for the owner.
Owners should consider in advance what kind of feeding they want to offer their pets. Talking to the breeder or trusted veterinarian is recommended. In general, feed should consist of meat as the main component. Additives such as grain and sugar should not be included. Master and mistress should study the contents carefully. Basically, it doesn’t matter whether the pug gets dry food or wet food. A particularly species-appropriate but expensive feeding method is the so-called BARF. Here the dogs only get raw meat and vegetables. The pug does not have a sensitive stomach, but it should not be given kitchen scraps or even sweets. Dog stomachs generally do not tolerate this.
There should always be enough drinking water available for the four-legged friend. It is advisable to set up several drinking containers in different places. Especially in large apartments or even plots of land, the dog must always have a drinking bowl to hand. Treats reward the dog and encourage learning new commands. However, too many treats affect the weight of the pugs and promote obesity. Keepers can easily resort to low-fat options such as dried pig ears or healthy snacks. An oversupply of snacks will cause this breed of dog to no longer to recognize and stop eating their normal food.
Health – life expectancy & common diseases
Unfortunately, the drastic change in a Pug’s physical appearance has led to some breed-specific diseases. The dog breed should get a smaller and smaller nose, which can severely restrict the pugs in their breathing. It is not for nothing that the FCI standard has agreed against a further spread of this fornication.
Furthermore, skin diseases such as atopy and demodicosis are among the diseases that occur particularly frequently. Skinfold dermatitis is also very common in pugs and causes discomfort. In addition, the animals tend to be overweight and, as already mentioned, should not be overfed. The pug doesn’t set its own limitations when it comes to eating, so it quickly becomes overweight.
In general, however, small dogs have a relatively good immune system and can live up to 14 years if they are kept in a species-appropriate manner. In addition to the gene pole, the selection of a reputable breeder also plays a decisive role. The pug has no undercoat, so it tends to get cold during the winter months. Even in summer, the dogs should generally not be exposed to the midday sun. The morning and evening hours are particularly suitable for walks in the fresh air.
How old does a Pug get?
The pug can live up to 14 years. The gene poles as well as a healthy diet and species-appropriate husbandry play a decisive role.
Care of the Pug
Like all other animals, the four-legged friends of this breed must occasionally be subjected to a claw and tooth check. Claws that are too long can hinder the dog and cause injuries. Owners are also welcome to use a dog toothbrush. This may seem a bit new at first glance but gives the dog healthy teeth. The coat should be brushed occasionally to keep the beautiful shine.
The dog doesn’t need a bath. If he still has to be showered because his fur is dirty throughout, then masters and mistresses should make sure that the shampoo is suitable for the dogs and does not touch the head area. Otherwise, caring for a pug is quite uncomplicated and takes little time. Thanks to its lack of undercoat, the Pug is not subject to a change of coat, but the breed still sheds hair again and again.
Pug – Activities and Training
Despite their small size, the dogs are suitable as loyal companions, even for longer distances. Owners should make sure to get enough rest breaks to allow the dog to relax and regain strength.
Another way to keep the dog busy is in dog sports. Agility and search games in particular are tailored to the pug and inspire both dog and owner. There are now some dog schools that offer smaller groups exclusively with pugs. Various exercises and games with the four-legged friends are carried out there. In addition, the dogs are involved in various tasks and educational games, which promote mental utilization.
The walks together can be used wonderfully as training units, as owner and dog can concentrate on each other without being distracted. Basic commands can be practiced over and over again and supported with tasty treats.
Good to know: Peculiarities of Pugs
The pug has a strong character. This was taught to dogs over many centuries and can still be observed today. The Pug has a raised head and an elegant posture. He is unaware of his size and often goes beyond his limits. Nevertheless, the dogs enjoy strong popularity as they are tirelessly loyal dogs and perfectly complement family life. The family dogs can integrate wonderfully into an existing family structure and are particularly inspiring due to their empathy.
The pug inspires in many US films, not least he has a leading role in the well-known film Men in Black. Also in various dog films, the pugs mostly play arrogant and/or strong personalities.
What do you need to know about the Pug?
The pug has a strong character and is only partially suitable for beginners. He has a strong personality and often overestimates his limits. The Pug is prone to obesity and all sorts of other diseases typical of the breed, which is why choosing a reputable breeder are crucial.
Disadvantages of the Pug
Due to the long fornication of pugs with regard to the pushed-in nose, this breed of dog is severely restricted in its breathing. Owners should inform themselves before buying and not promote such breeding. Such restriction of other physical aspects, which the standard has demanded for many years, has severely limited this breed and produced some breed-specific diseases.
Does the Pug good for me?
Potential owners should always ask themselves this question before they buy a dog. If a new four-legged friend moves into the house, this usually turns the whole life of a family upside down. In addition, the times must be rescheduled, because a dog needs a lot of attention. A walk in the morning and in the evening is not enough.
A Pug wants to be integrated into the family structure and be involved in all activities. It is not a problem to take such a dog to the restaurant. Dogs are also welcome guests on trips and in hotels. The dogs are particularly suitable for older people. Busy people shouldn’t buy a pug. Dogs can be left alone, but over time this will be reflected in their behavior. In general, the animals can be kept wonderfully in a city apartment. In addition, they are also suitable as dogs in a house in the country. The small four-legged friends make no demands on the plot size.
While the pug likes to be cuddled, it is not a lap dog. He wants to be accepted as a dog. The quadruplets can also be kept well with other dog breeds. Likewise, keeping other animals, such as cats, is not a problem. This usually requires that the pug puppy has to be accustomed to the other animals from an early age. Otherwise, turf wars can ensue. The pug quickly sees its new home as its territory, which is why it is wonderfully suited as a guard dog despite its small size. However, owners should be careful not to make the dog bark.
How much is the Pug?
A Pug from a reputable breeder costs no less than $1,000.