Introduction

Did you know, the name Pug comes from the Latin word for “Fist”? Not necessarily what you’d expect from this jovial, happy dog, but they’re so named because their wrinkled face resembles a clenched fist.

Anyone who owns a Pug will tell you their personality far outgrows their size. They have a comical personality and love nothing more than being with their humans.

They’re a unique, comical looking breed with a round, wrinkly head, short nose and undershot jaw which means their lower teeth extend beyond their upper teeth. On their round faces they even have ‘beauty spots’ which their characteristic moles are affectionately known as.

The Pug is one of the most well-known dog breeds in the world. They’re old too, dating back as far as 400 B.C and possibly even back to the Han Dynasty in B.C. 206 to A.D. 200 in China.

As with most old breeds, there’s origin is speculated, but the generally accepted theory is that the breed began in China. Some believe they’re descendants of the Pekingese, which also originated in China, but others argue that their ancestors are the Bulldog or Mastiff.

In their long history, they’ve been a regular companion for royalty including Emperors of China, William II who brought them to England from Holland, and Queen Victoria.

Their popularity in China was largely down to their wrinkly faces. The most prized Pugs were those who’s wrinkles resembled specific symbols, especially if they took the form of the symbol for Prince. These lucky Pugs were treated like Royalty themselves with lavish apartments and their own guards.

It’s possible the first Pugs came to Europe when they started trading with the Dutch in the 1500s. After this, a Pug is believed to have saved the life of Prince William of Orange by alerting him of approaching Spaniards. From then on, they were the official dog of the House of Orange which included the future King William III who brought them to England in 1688.

The Pugs we know today are believed to be descendants or two Pugs of “pure” Chinese lineage that were brought back to England from the Chinese Imperial Palace in 1860. Lamb and Moss, as they were called, were bred together, eventually creating a puppy called Click who was bred many times with the Willoughby and Morrison lines.

It wasn’t long after this, in 1885, that the Pug was first officially recognised with their very own breed standard.

Sad looking pug standing up with a paw on his owner's lap

12 - 15 Years

Lifespan

25 - 35cm

Size

6 - 8kg

Weight

2/5

Cold weather tolerance

1/5

Hot weather tolerance

Companion

Breed group

30 - 45 mins a day

Exercise

Short, double

Coat

4/5

Dog friendly

Cute Pug in a frilly outfit smiling with its tongue out

Behaviour and personality

Pugs are almost everything you could ask for from a dog. They’re funny, mischievous and energetic whilst also being affectionate, loyal and relaxed.

They’re a small dog, so they’re relatively easy to take care of and they don’t yap like some other smaller breeds. Whilst they’re quiet in that sense, they do make a host of other noises including snoring, snorting and wheezing.

The loving Pug loves attention. If they could, between moments of clowning around and eating, they would spend every minute snuggled on your lap.

They’re intelligent but notoriously stubborn which can make them difficult to train. The best way to get around this is to use their greatest weakness against them – their love of food. Reward them with treats for positive behaviour and results in training but be careful not to overfeed them or they will quickly become overweight.

This little, sturdy breed is a wonder to have in the house for anyone who are looking for a dog that will provide constant affection mixed with a playful, comical side.

Ideal owner / home

House or Apartment

Children

Other Pets

Elderly

Pugs are an adaptable breed that can thrive in anything from a small flat to a large house thanks to their size and low exercise needs. They also don’t tend to bark much which makes them a good option if you know your neighbours won’t appreciate living next to a loud dog.

Whilst they’re adaptable in terms of their living space, they don’t fair well in either hot or cold environments. This means they should never be locked outside or in any part of the house that’s exposed to the outside temperatures, like a conservatory.

Pugs thrive off human companionship and they get very upset than they’re feeling ignored. Unfortunately for those who work away from home, this means they can’t be left home alone for long periods whilst you’re at work. If you know they won’t always have someone home with them, or you can’t take them with you during the day, you should consider a more independent breed.

Judging by their size, you may be tricked into thinking they’re a clean breed. This is mostly correct, but they do shed a lot! They need an owner that’s okay with having pet hair all through the house and can commit to brushing their pet regularly.

Pugs get along very well with children and you’ll have endless fun watching them fool around together. Their small size does mean they’re quite delicate, so its important your children know to treat them with respect and to play gently with them.

They’re not the most active of dog breeds, but they do have a medium amount of energy and a high tendency to become overweight. A Couple of 20-minute walks a day will help expend their energy and keep them at a healthy weight.

If you’re looking for a dog that will simply roll over and do as their told, you may be disappointed with a Pug. They’re notoriously stubborn, so they need an owner who can provide training and is consistent and sometimes firm, but never harsh.

Pug chewing on his favourite treat in the garden

Grooming

Pugs are surprisingly high maintenance when it comes to grooming. Whilst they don’t need regular clipping, they do need extra care on their coat, face, eyes, teeth and nails.

One thing to be aware of is that their coat, whilst short, sheds a lot, particularly in the summer. Regular brushing and at least monthly bathing are a must to keep their coat healthy and reduce the amount of loose dog hair in your house. The more you do this, the less you will need to hoover.

The Pugs most famous feature, their wrinkly face, is the perfect breeding place for bacteria. Unfortunately, it doesn’t take long for the folds to become damp and dirty, so It’s important that they’re dried regularly, especially in the summer or after baths. Many owners will just use a dry cotton wool bud for this job.

Their eyes protrude slightly which makes them vulnerable to injury and irritation. This is difficult to avoid in most cases, but you can reduce the risk of infection by just being extra careful whilst grooming, especially bathing. Make sure any shampoo you use is free of irritants and be gently when you wash their face.

Like many small breeds, they’re prone to dental issues as their teeth become crowded in their small mouths. Unfortunately, this is largely unavoidable, but you can help them by brushing their teeth regularly to keep their gums and teeth as healthy as possible.

Many pet’s wear their nails down naturally on walks etc. which reduces the need to trim them yourself. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case for Pugs because of their size. This means you must regularly trim their nails to ensure their paws are in good condition.

Check ears regularly for any sign of infection which could be redness, sores, or bad odour and gently wash their ear with a cotton wall bud and cleaning solution, but to avoid damaging the ear canal, only clean areas you can see.

Health

The Pug’s short muzzle means they can’t cope with high heat or humidity, so you must take extra precautions in summer months to ensure they don’t overheat. Steps you can take include providing plenty of shade and fresh water, reduce walks in hot weather, and/or invest in a cooling jacket.

Their prominent eyes increase their risk of eye infections so it’s important that you regularly clean and check them.

Pugs are greedy eaters and will happily eat anything they can get their paws on. This, coupled with their low energy levels means they can quite quickly become obese, increasing the risk of related life changing conditions like diabetes. To avoid this, you must monitor their food intake carefully and avoid giving them human food or too may treats.

Pug wrapped up in a blanket in the forest

Common health issues

Patellar Luxation

Patellar Luxation is a relatively common problem that occurs when the patella is not properly lined up. This causes the Femur (thigh bone), Patella (kneecap), and Tibia (calf) to slip out of place. When this happens, the dog will generally skip or hop.

There are four grades, ranging from I, an occasional luxation causing temporary lameness in the joint, to grade IV, in which the turning of the tibia is severe, and patella cannot be realigned manually.

The constant rubbing caused by this issue can lead to arthritis, a degenerative joint disease and severe levels of Patella luxation may require surgery to avoid further issues and pain.

Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a neurological condition that is often, but not always, inherited.

The condition causes mild or severe seizures which may show themselves as unusual behaviour such as running frantically as if being chased, staggering, hiding, or even by falling down, limbs rigid, and losing consciousness

Although seizures are frightening and saddening to watch, the long-term prognosis for sufferers is generally very good.

If you suspect your dog has epilepsy, take your dog to the vet for proper diagnosis and treatment as there could be other reasons for seizures.

Demodectic Mange

Demodectic Mange is caused by demodex mites which live in hair follicles. All dogs carry these mites, and those with weakened immune systems can develop this condition which is also called demodicosis.

Demodicosis comes in two forms – Localised and generalised.

The localised form causes patches of red, scaly skin and hair loss on the head, neck and forelegs. It is usually thought of as a puppy disease and will often clear up on its own.

The generalised form usually only appears on older puppies and adults. Affected dogs will develop patchy skin, bald spots and skin infections all over the body.

Fortunately, the mite cannot be passed to humans or other pets.

Hemivertebrae

Hemivertebrae is a condition where a dog has one or more deformed vertebrae. Deformations may be fused or wedge-shaped vertebrae leading to a twist in the spine.

Although exact numbers are unknown, the condition is fairly common among short-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds with screw tails like French Bulldogs.

The effect of hemivertebrae will depend largely on which part of the spinal column is affected, if the spinal cord is compressed, or if the condition causes weakness in the spinal column.

Possible symptoms include pain, which can range from minor to severe, weakness of the hind legs, incontinence and even paralysis. The rate at which the symptoms develop can range from weeks or months, to even just a matter of days.

Treatment will be dependent on the severity of the condition. For dogs who are only mildly affected, anti-inflammatory drugs may be prescribed, but for those with severe signs, a surgery called a hemilaminectomy will be needed to relieve compression on the spinal cord.

Hip Dysplasia

Hip Dysplasia is an inherited condition that means the thighbone doesn’t fit snuggly in the hip joint.

The symptoms are generally pain and lameness which will vary in severity and can be present in one or both rear legs.

Sadly, it’s not uncommon for the disorder to lead to hip replacement.

Make sure you ask any breeder if the puppy’s parents have been tested and cleared for Hip Dysplasia. If they have not, or the issue is present in one or both, find another breeder.

Legg-Perthes Disease

Legg-Calves-Perthes Disease, also known as LCPD or LCP, is described as the spontaneous degeneration of the head of the femur bone i.e. the ‘ball’ in the ball and socket joint that forms the hip. The degeneration causes the bone to die and collapse, eventually leading to arthritis in the joint.

Though the exact root of the disease is unknown, it’s generally thought that it’s caused by an issue with the blood supply to the femoral head.

The disease is most commonly found in smaller breeds, particularly terriers like the West Highland Terrier and can affect both male and female dogs.

The symptoms are those that can be associated with any issues that affects the hind legs. These include lameness, pain when moving, wasting of thigh muscles of the affected limb and trouble with walking and getting up.

A complete physical examination by a veterinary professional will often be enough to diagnose LPCD as a possible cause for the above symptoms but x-rays will be taken to identify any changes in the femoral bone and joint to confirm the diagnosis.

In some cases, pain killers will be provided to help treat the lameness, but most will require surgery on the affected area. After surgery, a vigorous regime will be set out by your vet which will include exercise and physical therapy that must be adhered to, so the affected limbs have the best chance to fully recover.

Pug

Introduction

Behaviour and personality

Ideal owner / home

Grooming

Health

Common health issues

Other Breeds

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