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Pug Dogs
Breed Rating (5 Reviews)
| Appearance | |
| Friendliness | |
| Hardiness | |
| Garden |
History
The pug is descended from the mastiff breed and was first thought to have been created in the Orient centuries ago, It was a popular dog in Tibetan monasteries and moved from China to Europe with The East India Trading company in the 1700's. The word Pug probably comes from the Latin 'Pugnus' meaning fist as it's head resembles a clenched fist, or the marmoset 'pug' monkeys that were popular as pets during the 18th century.
Behaviour
Pugs are funny, playful and friendly dogs. They are great with families and children and love attention and showing off. They make wonderful companion dogs and are never far from your side; hence their nickname, the shadow. Being close to their owner is what they were bred for and they are very good at it. They are affectionate and confident, but will act the clown for attention when ever possible. They will climb on to your lap on the sofa, your bed and the chair when you are eating dinner. Anything to get as close as possible. They are also very greedy and can eat for England. Pugs are friendly towards other dogs, pets and strangers and as a rule are rarely aggressive. They need a daily walk but would much rather take a nap on their favourite chair, rather than face the rain and cold. They can be lazy and prone to obesity, so regular walks and watching their food intake is important. They have a large personality, but aren't the smartest of dogs. They learn quite slowly, but are trainable, with patience. They won't chase a ball, or run after a frisbee as that involves far too much effort. They have moments of total relaxation where you will struggle to rouse them from sleep, to a mad dash around the house, chasing nothing, then back for a well deserved nap.
With their flat faces, breathing can be a problem when it is very hot. They can over heat when out on walks, so little and often is best for them. Washing their faces prevents problems with the skin folds. They tend to sneeze, wheeze, snort and fart a lot as a breed. Coat care is minimal, with short fur, they just need brushing a couple of times a week to remove dead hairs. As mentioned, obesity is common. Canine Hip Dysplasia can sometimes be seen as well as Pug Dog Encephalitis in some young dogs.
Temperament
Pugs have a dependent and comical temperament. Happy little dogs who enjoy your companionship it is fair to say that Pugs love hugs! Comical little dogs that will snort and snuffle anyone they meet but be jealous of any animal that has taken their spot on your lap. Stubborn little dogs, they can be tricky to train but are generally quite biddable.
Health Problems
Health problems that may affect pugs include brachycephalic syndrome (breathing difficulties), canine hip dysplasia (CHD), cataracts, entropion (inward rolling of eyelid which irritates the eyeball), eye damage, epilepsy, patellar luxation (dislocation of the knee cap), allergies and pug dog encephalitis (an inherited inflammation of the brain).
Breed Details
- Status: Common
- Life Expectancy: 12 - 15 years
- Weight: 6 - 9 kg
- Height: 10 -11"
- Rare: No
- Coat: Short
- Grooming Requirements: Once a week
- Town or Country: Either
- Minimum Home Size: Flat
- Minimum Garden Size: No Garden
- Breed Type: Toy Dog
- Size: Small
- Energy Level: Medium
- Exercise Required: Up to 30 Minutes
More to love
Pug Pictures
Latest Reviews For Pug (5 of 5)
Lovely companions - Autumn,
Not sure I would have nearly as many laughs as I do with my little pug! I grew up around big dogs but fostered a 10 week old black pug and fell in love, now 9 months later he’s my best friend, we do everything together! We go for 2-3 walks a day each about an hour, he loves to play fetch and is so friendly to other pups and humans 💚 we unfortunately found out he does have some type of encephalitis, but with his treatment he’s doing really well! He’s on borrowed time and everyday has been an extra joy in our lives 🫶
Pugs are the BEST!❤️ - Vera,
I had a pug a couple of years ago and when my old boy crossed the rainbow bridge I missed him terribly. So, I got another Pug! His baby brother is amazing as well! Pugs are loving, loyal and will always make you laugh! ALL dogs take some work, they are living creatures that need dedication & attention. Never adopt any dog without dedication in mind.
Nonsense talked about pugs - Archie,
I’m on my 4th pug and am perplexed by your description of them. Mine have at least an hour of brisk walking off the lead every day and they love it even the ten year old. In my experience pugs that ‘don’t walk’ tend only to be reticent because they are overweight and consequently struggle to breathe if they run. Like most dogs they actually need plenty of exercise and a very strict diet to keep their weight down. They are also incredibly clever which is why they can be difficult to persuade to do anything that don’t interest them. It’s not stupidity but stubbornness. But with bribery you can ‘train’ a pug to anything you want !
Gorgeous - Lesley,
My little pug is 3 years old now. I absolutely adore her companionship. She follows me literally everywhere, even to the toilet, and she can be fast asleep on the sofa! She is very friendly, loves people, especially children, and loves chasing her toys around the house. She also loves playing with an empty toilet roll. She hates going for walks, and hides under the table when the word ‘walk’ is mentioned. She would much rather sleep on the back of my sofa, or on my lap. She absolutely loves water too, including having a shower, and a dip in her paddling pool. Pugs are lazy dogs, that tire easily, so short little walks suit her. If you want a loving, loyal little companion that isn’t much work, have a pug! Best thing I ever did. I wouldn’t be without her.
Friendly, yet entergetic. - Catheine,
my pug loves to run and jump, she loves to dig, even in the couch. I would recomend garden fencing. she is cute, but sniffs the cat and wrestles with it, but she is barely a 16 week old, so she probobly cant tell that the cat is a cat, not a dog. other than that, super friendly! has a good appearance, to.