The Lovable Pug
A Real Family Dog

Dog breed info
Pug
“Mops” “Carlin”
Weight: 14 — 20 lbs
Height: 9” — 11”
AKC Rank 2008 #15
Lifespan: 12—16 yrs
Origin China

• Breeders And Rescue Groups
• Dog Health, Dog Illness, Medical Problems

Dog Breed Info – The Pug

Who couldn’t love this guy?

Breed Overview

This breed has a long history. They were first brought to England in Victorian times and became incredibly popular with the wealthy, displacing the King Charles Spaniel as the favored Royal Breed.

This dog of Victorian England usually had cropped ears, further accentuating their wrinkled faces. Several Pugs were brought to England from China in 1886. A year earlier the breed had been recognized by the AKC. Since that time, it has remained popular as a lap dog. Colors: black, tan, brown, fawn.

Their original function in ancient times was that of a lap dog and today it serves as a companion dog.

They are relatively easy to train. They love to please their humans and enjoy obedience training sessions. For best training results, use clicker training with positive reinforcement. It really works wonders and dogs love this method.

Crate Training

Want to crate train your Pug? It’s easy and if you’re interested, take a look and you’ll see what to do. Crate training your puppy will save many headaches and problems.

Potty Training

Most Pugs are easy to house train, potty train, toilet train, housebreak or whatever you want to call it. If you have a puppy, decide if you want to crate or paper potty train it. For the best results, we have a page at Crate vs Paper Potty Training which will help you decide and from there you can get all the information you need to get the job done. Always praise the pup profusely when she goes potty in the RIGHT PLACE so she knows she has done a good thing. Either method will work for this breed.

If you have an older dog, take the dog outside every two hours until she gets the idea which door leads to her potty area. Older dogs catch on to the potty or housebreaking pretty fast once they are shown what to do. Top

The Pug is a blend of dignity and comedy. They’re friendly, playful and confident. They can be stubborn and headstrong, at times. They’re pleasant and generally anxious to please, though, and they love to show off. This is an enthusiastic breed but some Pug’s also are prone to separation anxiety.

If you happen to get one with a separation anxiety problem, that can be dealt with by investing a few hours of work on your part and some “tough love.”

Friendly Toward Other Dogs

Moderate. There’s one across the street that gets along fine with all dogs in the area, but another one walks by the house that doesn’t like my dogs so there you go.

Friendly Toward Other Pets

Moderate. They usually will blend in OK. Top

Friendly Toward Strangers

Somewhat. These are not people dogs. Family, yes. Strangers, not so much.

Playfulness

Yes, quite playful and fun-loving..

Yes, very affectionate. Good family dog. They love being part of anything going on, They are outgoing and friendly. Real “lap dogs.”

Yes, very tolerant. Actually seems to like kids.

Good with Seniors over 65?

The Pug is an excellent choice for a senior. They have so much love and affection to give, and they want it in return. This is an ideal dog for a senior citizen. Not too heavy, easy to pick up, requires very little exercise, and is content to “hang out” in the house with just short walks for potty calls. Find a Pug rescue group or kennel is longevity of the dog is a problem for the senior.

Living environment

Pugs Can live anywhere. Apartment, farm, big city. All OK.They can NOT tolerate heat and moisture so keep her in an air conditioned environment.

If you have a small, fenced yard, your Pug would appreciate the space to roam and sniff around in. If not, that’s ok.

Christmas Pug with two kittens

Energy level

Moderate to low.

Running from room to room and a few short walks in the yard for potty call are about all she needs. This is an easy dog to care for.

Yes, will bark at strangers, very good about this.

Noisy, but to small to be effective.

Oh, yes! Sheds heavily!

It is necessary to brush your Pug every day to remove as much loose hair as you can. (they like the attention, too!) Also, you MUST clean out the wrinkles on their forehead and make sure they are dry. Don’t wash or shampoo the dog unless absolutely necessary and be sure she is dry in all her wrinkles. Top

3rd book from the left is “101 Dog Tricks” which will give your Pug a number of interesting things to learn to keep her brain stimulated and active. There are things in the book I had never imagined!

In the event you decide to go looking for Pug puppies, be SURE to find reputable breeders that really know what they are doing. Be sure the puppy has been well socialized and started in obedience training.
Pug Breeders with puppies for sale.

In the event you are seriously considering the adoption of a Pug and are looking for a Pug rescue group or groups in your state, here are several links that might help:
Petfinder – Dog Rescue – (Nationwide) If you do find one to adopt, try to locate the dog health records which could be useful in the future.
Adopt A Pet This is an interesting site that may give you some ideas. There are Pug rescue sites online by various states and don’t forget to check your local dog pound or kennels.

This is basically a healthy breed. Don’t let the list below scare you! Your own dog will probably never have ANY of these problems. These are dog health and medical problems this breed is prone to that have been listed by various veterinarians at different times over the past decade or so and some pertain to puppies and very young dogs that a breeder would deal with.

The information contained herein has been gathered from numerous books by veterinarians and is intended as general information only. Every dog and situation is different. You must see your vet. Our information is for general interest only and not intended to replace the advice provided by your own veterinarian.