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Pug Dogs
Breed Rating (5 Reviews)
| Appearance | |
| Friendliness | |
| Hardiness | |
| Garden |
History
Despite not looking the part, the pug is descended from the mastiff breed and is thought to have been first bred in the Orient many centuries ago. They were popular in Tibetian monasteries and eventually made their way to Europe with the East India Trading company. The word pug is derived from the Latin word “pugus” which means fist, as their squished faces resemble a clenched fist. It is often called Mops, this being its name in several languages.
Behaviour
The Pug is a playful, funny and friendly little creature. They get on great within a family environment and love to show off. The make for a wonderful companion dog who will always be by your side, hence their nickname, the Shadow. They were bred to be close to their owners and as a result they are very good at it, they will often scramble their way up onto the couch, your bed or wherever you happen to be at the time. They will do anything to get as close to you as possible. They have large appetites and will eat almost anything you give them, this paired with the fact that they are always by your side causes some owners to over-indulge them in snacks and treats, leading to obesity - so be sure to keep an eye on their diets.
Pugs are friendly towards other dogs, pets and even strangers and aren’t the type to get angry or aggressive. Pugs will need a daily walk, though they are often much more happy to curl up on a chair and snooze the day away rather than go outside and face the rain and cold. They can be lazy and this paired with their greediness can, again, lead to obesity. These dogs won’t chase a ball or run after a frisbee as this is too much effort for them. Pugs aren’t the most intelligent breed and training will take a while, though with patience anything is possible. They can have odd bursts of hyper-activity, going from sleeping on the couch, running around your living room, to again sleeping on the couch all in the span of 5 minutes.
The Pug’s iconic flat face causes them to have some issues with breathing, when it gets too hot they can’t regulate their body temperature properly and are prone to overheating. Long walks can also cause them to overheat, so it’s best to take them on short walks either in the mornings or evenings. Be sure to wash the folds of their faces to avoid any problems or infections. Their flat faces cause them to weeze, snort and sneeze a lot.
Coat care is minimal, a brush every few days to remove dead hairs will be enough. As mentioned before, obesity is common and their diets should be watched. Canine Hip Dysplasia and Pug Dog Encephalitis can be seen in some individuals.
Temperament
Pugs have a dependent and comical temperament. Happy little creatures who will enjoy your company. A true “man’s best friend”. These dogs will snort and snuffle anyone they meet but be jealous of any animal that has taken their spot on your lap. Stubborn at times, 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: 13 - 20 lbs
- 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.