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Pug

Size:
Lifespan:
Over 10 years
Coath length:
Short
Sheds:
Yes
Grooming:
Once a week
Size of home:
Size of garden:
Small/medium garden
Town or country:
Either
Energy levels:
Medium
Characteristics:
Laid-back, sociable and charming
Gets along with other pets:
Yes
Family dog:
Yes
Suitable for:
All owners
Breed standard colours:
Below
Average dimension(s):
Height: cm (10-13 in)Weight: kg (14-18 lb)
Requires training:
Basic training

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The Pug is a toy breed originally from China, well known for its wrinkly, short-muzzled face and curled tail.

This little dog possesses a robust, square frame and strong limbs. They have large rounded heads with shortened muzzles, extensive forehead wrinkles, and protruding eyes. Their coat is short, fine and glossy coat that comes in a variety of colours, typically fawn, silver or black, with a dark mask and ears. Pugs are not just well known for their looks but also for their temperament. They are sociable, even-tempered little dogs which get on well with pretty much anyone and everything. They thrive on human companionship and are gentle and playful around children. They are also good companions to other dogs and household pets. Generally, pugs want to please their owners and are intuitive and sensitive to their moods. This does not mean that they don’t have their stubborn side when the mood takes them. Pugs don’t need a lot of exercise, preferring to play and nap at home, but their tendency to put on weight means daily exercise should still be a feature of their lives. Pugs make super pets, being affectionate and intelligent. Unfortunately, as a flat-faced breed, they can have a lot of health problems and may struggle with their breathing in hot weather and when exercising. To minimise the risk of owning a dog with problems to do with exaggerated features, look for a pug with a longer nose and fewer skin folds on the face.

History

Pugs were developed in China and are among several Chinese dogs with short faces. They were brought from China to Europe in the 16th century and became popular in court circles in the Netherlands. When William of Orange succeeded to the English throne, his pugs came with him, further enhancing their appeal amongst the aristocracy. They were also a favourite of Queen Victoria.

Health and common issues

Pugs suffer from a variety of health conditions brought on by their appearance. As a brachycephalic (flat-faced) breed they are likely to suffer from laboured breathing and respiratory distress and extra care needs to be taken in hot weather. The excess skin folds on their face can cause problems with their eyes and skin and their protruding eyes can easily become injured. They may also be prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, luxating patellas, hypothyroidism, Legg Perthes disease and Pug Dog Encephalitis (a condition causing blindness, seizures and difficulty walking). (Breed watch – category 3 on Kennel Club. Points of concern include respiratory distress, excessive nasal folds, excessively prominent eyes, incomplete blink and pinched nostrils.)