Pug Information
84Looking for Pug information to help you with your new pal? I've put together the basics on Pugs, from their history to upkeep and health issues.
Pugs are members of the toy dog group. The name Pug is derived from the Latin word Pugness, which means "fist" and this perfectly describes their facial features as it can be said to look like a clenched up fist. Pugs have been recognized by the AKC since 1886 and they have been an extremely popular breed ever since.
As you probably know, Pugs are extremely amiable. They display a confident personality and are abundantly playful. Pugs can also be a bit headstrong and stubborn to housetrain, but mostly the Pug is a pleasant dog who enjoys pleasing its owner, especially if given the chance to show off. From my experience, "Pug people" are extremely passionate about their breed - they can't picture having another type of dog!
Pug Upkeep and Maintenance
This may surprise you, but the Pug needs to have plenty of exercise on a daily basis. A lot of people think small dogs don't need much exercise, but it's just not true and daily exercise will often do a world of good in helping your Pug stay happy and healthy. The good news is that it doesn't take a lot to please your Pug -- a brisk walk for 20 to 30 minutes would be ideal, or a fun physical activity which centers around a dog game like Tug or Fetch would do nicely.
The Pug is not the type of dog that should be kept outdoors for an long period of time. This breed is meant to be indoors and cannot stand hot temperatures and humid weather. You need to be very careful with your Pug on hot days...because they have "squished in" faces, they are not able to regulate their body temperature as well as other types of dogs. Of course there is nothing wrong with keeping your Pug in the yard for a few hours each day, but always ensure that he has plenty of shaded areas to retreat to and lots of water when the weather is hot.
When it comes to grooming, Pugs need regular cleaning due to their face wrinkles, especially around the face and neck areas. I'd suggest taking a baby wipe and cleaning out the face wrinkles at least once a week (some Pugs may need this more frequently), and giving your Pug a bath every 2 to 3 weeks. Should your Pug get wet, be sure to dry it off immediately as to prevent infection of the skin especially in the face wrinkles, which is sometimes typical of this breed.
Finally, when it comes to physical characteristics, the Pug tends to wheeze and snore often. Don't be alarmed! This is due to the natural "squished in" face and nose. Many Pug owners eventually find their Pugs' snoring to be soothing, almost like a fan or "white noise"! For me, our two Pugs mask my husband's snoring.
How Long Pugs Live and Health Information
Good news -- you can look forward to your Pug living a long and healthy life of up to 15 years, and sometimes longer! As they age, you'll notice that their fur color on their face can get a little bit of grey, which I think makes them look super-cute.
Pug owners should be on the look-out for two major health concerns that tend to impact Pugs, CHD and Pug dog encephalitis. We'll go into more dept on both CHD and Pug dog encephalitis in a separate article, so please stay tuned.
Minor health concerns in Pugs, which rarely pop up with this breed include patellar luxation, KCS, hemivertebra, elongated palate, Legg-Perthes, stenotic nares, and skin infections.
Here are some additional Pug resources that you'll find helpful:
- free Pug training videos
- Pug care
- top 100 Pug names
- Pug training guide
Expert Dog Tips!
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Comments
Hey!
I do think you should mention the shedding! It never stops and during change of season the hair will be all over the place- I found that giving my pug a weekly bath helps a tad.
I also have another hint for you for when it's realy hot and your pug is suffering- I get myne to lie on her back on my lap and I then take an ice cube and just rub her chest and stomach area with it- she really seems to enjoy it.
I also found that my pug best responds to verbal praise when training- if she sees I am excited about a certain action that she did she notices it immediately and would do it all day long if it depended on her!
Myne is also a great guard dog- I'd even say better than my mastif and my rottie cross, so get them use to people of all ages from young!
Pugs are truly great pets and I wouldn't exchange for anything!!
Hope you ejoy your pug as much as I enjoy myne!
P.S. Myne also recently developed cataracts so jus keep a look out!
Cheers!
Adrene,
Thanks for your terrific feedback, you shared a ton of great Pug information there!
Pugs sure do shed a ton. Our fawn Riley is exceptional. During the summer, we brush him down outside once a week, and the fur comes off so fast into the air it looks like smoke! I think your once per week bath frequency is solid advice.
I like your hint about keeping Pugs cool in the summer time! Your Pug really is lucky to have such a devoted "mommy." :-) We are extra careful with our Pugs in the summer to limit their outdoor exercise.
So glad to hear you have success with positive training methods. We love the clicker training method and really find that Pugs respond best to this type of positive training. Couldn't imagine using a pinch collar or other old-fashioned training method on our Pugs!
Your Pugs totally beat our Pugs in the guard dog arena. Our two guys hardly lift their heads when one of us comes home late at night.
I hope the cataracts work out with your dog...this is an issue with many older dogs, not just Pugs, and a vet can definitely help.
Thanks so much for all of your feedback and tips! You inspired me to write up another page on Pug care, from taking care of their coats to cleaning their face wrinkles and more. Hope you can check it out and please leave more tips/feedback! :-) http://hubpages.com/hub/PugCare
I have a pug his name is chip. I am having a problem with him potty traning and chewing on things. An running out the door when you open it. when you call for him he dont lesson to me i have to get my husben to get him in.
I like your lens! Good information about pugs. I especially like your picture! Thanks for sharing your knowledge!
I think the pug has the most interesting face of all dogs, so much character! Great lens. I have a border collie myself but each to their own.
Pugs are awesome. I love their personalities! I live in NYC, and they are perfect for small condos. Great hub.
@Rena -- That's a big issue with Pug training! Check out this article for how to train your Pug dog to wait when you open the door: http://www.ultimatepug.com/Pug-Training-Train-Your
@Dog-Trainer -- Thanks for your comment, I'm blushing! :-)
@Baby Gifts -- agree on the Pug faces, thanks for stopping by!
@kjsecond -- super point, Pugs make an ideal apartment/city dog!
I'm totally trying to figure out how I can use pugness in a sentence this week!
Do pugs have many allergy issues? Thanks so much for putting so much information out there for us.
The pug upkeep and maintenance part was very informative and i'm sure it will be very helpful for many!!!
I like the upkeep and maintainance part too, in addition to the top 100 pug names.
This pug pictures are really really cute ,the tips very informative especially the one about their personalities.
I love the pugs in the pictures, so cute and healthy. I like all the tips that you provided, very useful. Thanks.
Going through all the articles, I believe that I am going to turn into a life-long pug admirer.
That was a valuable piece of info. about the pug indoor/outdoors situation i would have thought you could keep them outdoors more.hmmmm
Your pugs are the cutest! What an excellent photograph!
yeah! very cutes, hic, i wish i have ones.
I really like the photos you add in articles...useful info about pugs. Thanks
I really enojoyed the links you provided, especially the one with 100 doggy names. Oh and the maintenance stuff was also really useful. Thank you.
pugs are so cuit they look lile raisins but way way biger
Hi, just got my first Pug, and I am commited to using the crate/SBT method (suggested in ultimatepug.com)to teach him to go putty at the propper time and place.
i have found a lot of useful information on the method, but still have a couple of questions that remain unanswered, so if anyone could give me a hand i would appreciate it a lot.
1. how long after i start the SBT mathod with my puppy can i begin leaving him oustide the crate in between potty visits? by the way, Mao is 3 1/2 months old and can hold his bowels for about 3-4 hours.
2. since i live in an apartment, i need him to learn to go potty on a newspaper at night, any advice on how to make him do this?
Thanks, Pablo
hey i am purchasing a pug and the breeder who i have checked out is giving the pug to me when it is six weeks old.i have been told that is too young for the puppy to leave his mom. Is it too young?
We just got a 6wk old pug puppy and he is awesome. We kenneled him the very first night we got him and every night since. In the 2 wks that we have had him, he has only had 3 accidents (and they were our fault for not putting him out right away). He sits by the door and whines a little, we put him out right away and he usually goes potty in a minute or so. When he is sniffing more than usual or going in a circle and sniffing we put him out and he usually poops rather quickly. Positive praise and rubbing his head and cuddling him seem to be the reward he likes best. We also have already trained Oscar to sit and lie down on command and he is only 8 wks old! He is awesome with our two children (ages 5 & 3). Our 3 yr old carries him around a lot and he just loves it and takes the "torture" she puts him through. He has been a lot more fun and much easier than I anticipated.
I have an 8-wk pug & am busy potty training - with a hurricane coming this wkend I am wondering how I am going to get him to go outside & do his business! Any suggestions???
working
Suzanna Stinnett says:
13 months ago
A great post from a Pug owner who obviously knows and understands the breed. Thank you!
Suzanna