Is A Pug For You?

Pugs are more then a just a cute face

Pugs may be cute but they are like hyperactive toddlers on red cordial and require dedicated ownership and committed leadership, training and socalisation along with appropriate lifelong vet care.   

A pugs job is to be a companion

Pugs were bred to be companion dogs and provide people with company.  If you are away from your pug for many hours a day they are unable to do their job and become bored and develop behavioural issues.

Pugs love being everywhere you are and are happiest living with you in your house and going with you when you go out.

Pugs must sleep indoors with all pugs loving a soft doggy bed and if allowed would sleep in bed with you.

They will tolerate being left at home alone for short periods of time but a pug exiled to the backyard for extended periods of time is not a happy pug.

If you are unwilling to or other commitments not or in the future mean you are unable to share your life, house and in some cases your bed with a dog then a pug is not for you.

Pugs die from heat!!!

Due to a pugs physical make up they are more susceptible to heat stress.

You must be able to keep you pug cool in hot weather.  Pugs die from heat!  They can not be exercised in heat.

You must have an air-conditioned house and car.  Plenty of cool drinking water should always be available for your pug.

Cool coats and mats are great for hot pugs.

If you are unable to provide a cool environment for a pug on hot days then a pug is not for you.

A pug is for life

A pugs lifespan is anything from 10 to 15 years.  If you are not willing to commit yourself to your pug for it’s entire lifetime then a pug (this includes regular grooming and vet care), or any breed of dog, is not for you.

Pugs shed hair and lots of it

They shed hair 357 days a year more profusely twice a year, with some pugs having double coats who shed even more.  So if your family has allergies then a pug is not for you. 

If you do not want to commit to desehedding your pug regularly a pug is not for you.

You also may want to consider coordinating your wardrobe and furnishings with your colour of pug as their hair is guaranteed to get everywhere.  There is no stopping pug hair!

Pug need special care

Pugs need to be bathed, brushed and have their toe nails trimmed regularly.  Many pugs dislike their toe nails being cut so a trip to a groomer or vet may be necessary.

Pugs nose rolls must be keep clean.

Because pugs eyes are so large and prominent and they have no muzzle to protect them they need particular care.  Other breeds of dogs, Cats, rose bushes, grasses, sticks, rough play, flying grit and sand can all cause potential injuries.  Any injury, inflammation, cloudiness, weeping, winking, squinting or closure of the eye must be checked by a vet or preferably a specialist eye vet as pugs can quickly develop corneal ulcers which can lead to loss of a pugs eye if not treated appropriately.  Specialists eye vets are generally able to save pugs injured eyes with specialist eye surgery so you must be willing to provide your pug with access to these services.  

Most pugs do best on a chicken based raw diet.  Many pugs develop yeast infections and itchy skin due to commercially produced foods.

People have a tendency too feed their pugs to much, causing them to become obese.  Over weight pugs have a shortened life span and are at far greater risk to many health problems.  Overweight and obsese pugs are a massive anesthetic risk.  Having and overweight or obese pugs compounds the severity of many other health issues that pugs can suffer from.   Fat and obese pugs are not cute or funny! 1kg or excessive weight on a pug is equivalent to over 10kg of excessive weight on a human.

At least once a year health checks, heart worm, intestinal worm and flea protection are advisable to keep a pug happy and healthy.  But as most people with pugs would agree you are more then likely to be at the vets quite often with your pug.

Pugs can be are sturdy little dogs but some do suffer from major genetic medical problems which require money to treat.  The most common of which are breathing issues, entropion, pigmentary keratitis, eye ulcers, hind leg paralysis due to spinal malformations, luxating patellas, dental disease, arthritis and ear infections.  Specialist treatment and surgery runs into the thousands for most pugs.

If you are unable to provide for a pugs upkeep both with hands on work and financially then a pug is not for you.

Pugs are not water babies

Most pugs can not swim and will drown easily.  If you have a pool and are unable to fence it with a pug proof fence then a pug is not for you.

If you want a dog that’s almost human like in personality and you are willing to welcome it into you family like you would a little person in a fur coat. Then consider a pug, as pugs have more personality than they know what to do with!