I Want A Pug! How To Find A Reputable Pug Breeder In Your Area!

So you want a pug…good for you! I must admit that they are cute little dogs with loads of personality. Before I get into the world of Pug Breeders I feel that it is my obligation to let you know that there are many Pug rescue groups in the United States (you never know, there may be one in your neck of the woods) and all of them have Pugs waiting for their forever homes. With that being said, I do understand that many people prefer to purchase a puppy from a breeder.

Finding a REPUTABLE and RESPONSIBLE breeder is so very important! After all, you wouldn’t want to give your hard earned money to a puppy mill! A poor breeder is more concerned about making money than they are about the health and happiness of their puppies. So how can you tell the difference between a good breeder and a bad breeder? I’m glad you asked! First of all, NEVER buy a puppy from a pet store. Unfortunately, most pet stores get their puppies from puppy farms (also known as puppy mills). When you buy a puppy from a pet store you will know NOTHING about the conditions from which it came. For example:

• Has the puppy received any socialization training?
• What were the pup’s parents like? Temperaments?
• Any hereditary conditions to be concerned about?

Along with not knowing anything about the dog’s history, many pet stores harbor diseases that are spread from one animal to the next. Unfortunately, as I mentioned before, most puppy mill dogs end up in pet stores. A reputable, responsible breeder would NEVER sell their pups to a store. Why? Well for one thing, responsible breeders want to be sure that their pups are going to good homes. Homes in which they will be cared for and well loved. My friend Jennifer purchased a puppy from a pet store and she ended up with a sick dog, huge veterinarian bills and plenty of heartache. Fortunately, Jennifer’s puppy survived. However, I can’t say the same for her bank account!

So how do you find a good breeder? The best place to start is the AKC (The American Kennel Club). The AKC not only supports responsible breeders, they also offer on-going education programs (to make good breeders even better!). They have also developed wonderful resources that benefit not only the breeder, but the buyer as well. The AKC allows breeders to officially register their puppies and if they wish, keep online records. They also sell supplies such as “puppy folders.”

Once you have the name of a reputable Pug breeder….there is still work to be done and questions to be asked! I have always said...knowledge is power! The more you know about the breeder…the better!

• How long has the breeder been breeding Pugs?
• Why Pugs? What is it about the breed they like so much?
• Why do they breed (to make money or for the love of the dog!)?
• What happens if you need to return the puppy? Most breeders will insist that the dog be returned to them if a problem should arise. In fact, most, if not all, state this in their contracts.
• Can you contact the breeder if you need pug puppy advice? Most breeders encourage you to contact them if you need assistance. After all, they CARE about their dogs and want them to thrive in their new homes.
• Where will the Pug pups be raised prior to going to their new homes? Personally, I would only purchase a Pug that was kept inside (not in an outdoor kennel). Dogs that are kept outside are not exposed to “everyday” situations such as the vacuum cleaner, the dishwasher or even a ringing phone. If possible, you want to purchase a Pug pup that is well adjusted to indoor living.
• Can you meet the Pug pup’s parents? Are the parents free of defects (such as hemivertebrae…a serious condition that affects Pugs)?

A good Pug breeder will not only answer all of the questions that you ask…they will have a few questions of their own that you must answer. After all, they want to make sure that their precious Pugs are going to the best possible homes (don’t be surprised if they wish to do a home visit!). They will want to know things such as:

• Do you have children? If so, how old are they? Small children need to be taught how to handle and play with small dogs.
• What veterinarian will you be using? (They may call the vet’s office to make sure that your past pets received proper medical care and vaccinations).
• Do you plan on breeding your Pug? Many breeders have certain rules about breeding their dogs so be sure to discuss this if breeding is your intention.
• Do you currently have any other pets in your home?
• Finally, the breeder will most likely ask for a reference or two.

Once you are “approved” by the breeder, you will then be able to view the litter of Pug puppies and decide which one you wish to purchase. A healthy litter should exhibit the following:

• Healthy, clean ears (no head shaking or constant scratching of the ears).
• Clear breathing patterns (no wheezing, coughing, etc.).
• A healthy, clean coat (no fleas or flea dirt, which is a nice way of saying no flea poop).
• Clear eyes (no visible discharge or redness).
• Healthy weight (Pugs pups can look a little “plump” but they should not have large pot-bellies. A pot belly is an indication that the pup has a worm infestation).
• Last but not least, the puppies should have clean “bottoms.” No dried poop or dirt visible.

So there you have it. Some simple tips that you should follow if you wish to buy a Pug puppy. I strongly recommend a visit to the AKC website so that you can not only locate a REPUTABLE Pug breeder in your area but also learn a bit more about this spunky, quirky breed. The AKC website is loaded with valuable information. It is also important to note that most states have “Breed Clubs” so you might want to check into that as well. For example, here is a link to the Greater New York Pug Dog Club (just so you can get an idea of what Pug Clubs are all about. If you have had a change of heart and wish to ADOPT a Pug…please visit Bunny Roo Beagle’s Dog Rescue and Sanctuary Page. Thank you for taking the time to read this HUB Page. If you have some time to spare, please view some of my other dog HUBS. Thanks!

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