Pugs are playful clowns at heart. They love games and being the centre of attention. If you’re looking for a furry friend that fits this description, then a Pug might just be the dog for you. Here’s everything you need to know about one of Australia’s favourite breeds.
Breed Snapshot
- Size Small dog (6.3-8kg)
- Coat Pugs are considered to be heavy shedders. They shed year-round and their hair goes through a three-step growth process unlike other small dogs.
- Energy Naturally energetic and want to play. They need at least 20-30 minutes of walking daily.
- Lifespan 12-15 years
- Country of origin China
- Breed type Toy dogs that can be traced back 2,000 years. Emperors of China had an affinity for flat-faced dogs. Temperament: Charming, sociable, stubborn and playful.
- Other names Chinese Pug, Dutch Mastiff
Great breed for
- Families with children
- Being around other dogs
- Apartment and indoor dogs
What is a Pug?
Pugs are known for being social companions! They have very distinctive features including a wrinkled face, curled tail and a tan and white coat with a black face. Pugs were originally bred as companions for the ruling class in China. They were valued by the Emperors at the time and they were guarded by soldiers. Eventually, the breed made their way around different parts of Asia. In Tibet, Buddhist monks had Pugs in their monasteries.
Fast forward to present day and they’re still a popular breed of dog! They’re cuddly and full of love. What’s not to love?
What do Pugs look like?
Pugs are short in stature and have stocky bodies. They can look very muscular and you’ll find them in different colour ways. They can range from fawn, apricot fawn, silver fawn or black! Male pugs stand at about 30 centimeters while females are 25 centimeters tall. On average, they weigh about 8.16kg.
What makes Pugs special?
Pugs have a long and interesting history. They were treated like royalty in not only Asian countries, but Europe as well. An English painter named William Hogarth dedicated a whole paint series to Pugs. His own self-portrait features his own Pug. It’s now hanging in the Tate Gallery in London!
Queen Victoria also had a love for Pugs. She had many including Olga, Pedro, Minka, Fatima and Venus. Because Pugs are often associated with royalty, that also sparked a big part of their popularity.
How often do I need to groom my Pug?
Because Pugs shed a lot, it’s important to give them a weekly brushing. This will help collect excess fur so you don’t find it all over your home. You can bathe your Pug every 3 weeks if they start to get smelly, make sure to clean their wrinkles and eyes daily and bring to the groomers when their nails are too long (about every 6 weeks).
How often should I walk my Pug?
Pugs love being outside and going for walks. It’s important that you walk your pup for at least 30 minutes a day. It’s best to go in the morning or evening as they can overheat easily. Because they have such short legs, walking at a comfortable pace is key. This breed wasn’t built for intense exercise and long-distance runs or hikes are not encouraged. After some time, you’ll be carrying your Pug!
How do I train my Pug?
Pugs are easily distracted and have a rebellious side when it comes to training. But don’t despair! With some consistency and positivity you can teach your Pug to listen to your commands. When it comes to training, it’s recommended to use the positive reinforcement approach. Praise your dog with kind words, treats and hugs! You can use techniques like using your finger and bringing it up to your nose to make them concentrate.
Pet Cloud offers dog training classes in blocks of six-week, one-hour sessions with registered trainers. One of their trainers will come to your home and use positive reinforcement techniques in line with RSPCA guidance to teach your puppy.
Quickfire Pug Questions
How long will my Pug live?
The typical lifespan for Pug is 12-15 years.
Can my Pug be left alone during the day?
When your Pug is house trained, they can be left alone for 8-10 hours per day. In order to prevent accidents, it’s recommended to either crate your pooch or use a baby gate to stop them from going to certain areas in the house. When Pugs are left alone for extended periods of time, they can lash out and cause destruction in the house. They can go through separation anxiety as they’re very social dogs.
Are Pugs “barkers”?
Pugs are not naturally barky or yappy dogs. That’s why they’re the perfect apartment dog as well as roommate! Pugs will sometimes bark when there’s someone at the door but that’s about it.
What kind of health risks do Pugs face?
Since Pugs naturally have shorter snouts and squished faces, they are susceptible to eye injuries like proptosis (scratched corneas) and entropion (when an eyelid folds inward). Pugs are also prone to breathing problems and regulating their temperature.
One of the more serious issues is called necrotizing meningoencephalitis (Pug dog encephalitis). This is when there’s an inflammation of the brain and meninges.
Where can I get a Pug?
After going through all this information, you’ve now decided you want to go ahead with the Pug! Great! You have two options when it comes to getting a Pug: you can either adopt or buy one through a breeder. If you decide to adopt, check out the handy guide on finding the right dog breeder made by the RSPCA.
If you’re wanting to buy your Pug, make sure you’re not supporting a breeder that’s involved with puppy mills. This causes more harm to future puppies and dog mamas.
Please read the RSPCA’s article: What animal welfare problems are associated with pedigree dog breeding?
Please also read the RSPCA’s Smart Puppy & Dog Buyers Guide and consider donating if you appreciated their great advice – this will support the great work they do in educating the community and fighting animal cruelty and neglect.
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