Are you thinking of owning your first-ever pug? Or do you already have one and you’re curious about how you can be the best fur parent for it? Or maybe you just want to know about it for your future pet purchase?
Then look no more because I have listed everything you need to know about this cute little breed.
First things first, for prospective pug owners please reference our guide on How to Find a Reputable Pug Breeder. And for new pug owners, checkout our list of 15 things every new pug owner should buy.
Here we go!
If you’re a first-time dog owner then pugs would be a great fit for you. They are small and cute. They are also good with kids, older people, and other dogs. They are part of the top 20 friendliest dog breeds.
When I first got a pug, I lived in an apartment – they make for great apartment dogs!
And did I mention cute yet?
Don’t get me wrong, pugs are adorable and lovely. They love being with their humans all the time. But like any other normal person, they could also be stubborn.
To avoid future temperament problems, it is advisable to start training your pug early. They love food a lot so it would be a good reward point for them when training your pug!
In my personal experience, pugs aren’t lazy as the internet would seem to claim… but perhaps because that’s because the majority of pugs are obese, and my pugs have always been active and fit so realistically…
Food is energy. Pugs love food—which means they always carry massive energy within them! Keeping them active with regular activities and games will help them stimulate their body and mind.
They are prone to obesity, so I wouldn’t recommend free feeding, I’ve always managed portion sizes.
Yup, you heard that right. Pugs love human contact and they will follow you wherever you go, like a shadow.
My pugs have skewed towards the needy side, even more so with my female pug.
They are very sociable and they love being buddies with basically everyone. Do not leave your pug alone for a long period of time, they’ll be unhappy.
Oh and if you’re wondering about travel… Yup, your pug should* be small enough to fly in-cabin with you.
They shed faster than any average dog. Some pugs even have double coats—which means they shed even more. You may want to store up with some lint rollers if you’re planning to own one.
Make sure to get a good vacuum 😅 (here are a few more tips for shedding pugs).
Also, a once-a-week brushing with any dog brush can help prevent vast shedding.
Pugs may require a tiny bit more maintenance then your average dog. One of the pugs’ prominent features is their wrinkles, but it has to be kept clean and dry to prevent any infection, bad smell, and swelling problems. You can use a paper towel and softly wipe it into your pug’s face to clean its wrinkles.
I use both pet wipes and baby wipes for convenience.
Of course, aside from cleaning its adorable wrinkles, please be sure to clean its teeth with dog toothpaste and cut its rapidly-growing nails on a regular basis.
Their big, round, and dark eyes are undoubtedly so endearing. Your heart will melt if they go on a staring game with you, and you’ll probably end up giving them what they want. However, their cute big eyes can cause problems too.
The large surface can easily catch dirt and debris which could lead to inflammation or even corneal abrasions and ulcers.
The first time I brought my pug to the beach was something – sand all over the eyes 😅
It is recommended to keep your pug well-groomed, as well as get him to visit the vet once in a while.
Although some pugs have lived over 20 years, the average lifespan of most pugs is 12-15 years. And like most animal species, female pugs live longer than males. Pugs would usually have problems with their bulging eyes and respiratory issues when they get older. Considering the average for any dog is 10-13 years, I consider this a win aka a Pro.
Pugs are very food motivated. It makes them easy to train, but then they’re also prone to obesity. I’ve personally never had to battle the weight issue with my pugs, so I think a lot of the diet does pertain to how the pug is raised and fed.
It is very important to have good nutrition throughout your pug’s life. Normally, a pug weighs 14 to 18 pounds. They love eating so you must be very careful in watching their diet. Excessive weight can cause them breathing problems, and we don’t want that to happen. It’s always better to ask your veterinarian ahead of time to regulate the best diet for your specific pug.
This is one of their most common health problems, caused by their flat nose. This syndrome obstructs their airway making it hard for them to breathe. They are also prone to heatstroke because of their breathing issues. Again, maintaining a healthy weight is crucial for our pugs. This trait is shared with their cousins; Frenchies, Bulldogs and Boston Terriers.
Because of their known thick loose skin and common breathing issues, they need to be always kept well-hydrated and cool when the temperature goes up. Limit their time outdoors during the heat of the day. Keep them with air-conditioning if needed.
Potty training is best done when your pug is in the puppy stage. You can first choose your designated potty area, then choose the cue words for them. Always remember to have effective training treats too! Here is a video to know how it actually works.
A pug will test your patience in all levels with their stubbornness, so you must prepare for that. The good thing is: in exchange, they will be extremely loyal to you and they will want to please you all the time. Once you get along well, they are going to be great family pets.
It is believed that the breed originated in China and they have existed before 400 BCE. Just wow.
And when we say ancient, we mean it!
In 1740, a society called ‘Order of the Pug’ was formed by the Catholics whom the Pope prevented to be freemasons in 1738. Loyalty and trustworthiness is the reason why they chose the pug as their symbol.
To join, you have to bark loudly and kiss the rear of the Grand Pug under his tail. (Good thing it was just a porcelain figure). Other crazy practices were wearing dog collars and scratching the door for entry.
The secret society was outlawed in 1748. But hey, that feels like royalty back then!
When Pompey the pug saved the life of the Prince of Orange, pugs became the official dog of the House of Orange in the Netherlands. Pompey began barking to warn the prince of any approaching assassins! What a hero!
There’s more! Queen Victoria of England also bred pugs and even helped establish its own Kennel club in 1873. Pugs can be found accompanying royalty all the time back then.
Do you think that’s it? Nope!
Emperors of China also had our dear pugs as lapdogs and they were treated to all the insane luxuries of royal life. Some of them were even given their own palaces and guards!
Knowing all these, I feel like I need to bow to every pug I see. (Lol)
Pugs make a special bond with their favorite people. They like to always express their feelings of love to you through power pug hugs, sweet little kisses, and by putting all their attention on you.
Owning a pug will make you feel unconditional love like no other. They will indeed give you no regrets about getting them plus it’s going to be the best 12-15 years of your life.
Heck you might be like me and become obsessed with pugs to the point where you launch your own line of pug shirts 😂
If you are still looking for a sign if you’ll get one, this is it. The Pug Fam is waiting for you!
If you already have one, then please feel free to share your #PugStories below. It’ll be great to hear about your experiences with our little boss(es)!
References:
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