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Once considered niche dogs, Pugs have skyrocketed in popularity in recent years. This surge in ownership is not surprising, since Pugs are extremely charismatic and charming dogs that make great pets.

Short History of the Breed

Dating back to Asia earlier than 400 BC, the Pug is one of the oldest dog breeds in the world. While the exact origins and early history of the breed are unknown, they are believed to have become popular during the Sung Dynasty and were kept only by royalty.

When the British invaded the Chinese Imperial Palace in 1860, they discovered several Pugs and Pekinese, and brought these dogs with them back to England. The AKC recognized the Pug in 1885 and the breed has been a popular pet ever since.

Physical Description & Size

The Pug has a distinctive square, compact, thick, and muscular frame with loose, wrinkly skin. The coat is sleek and soft and comes in apricot, fawn, black and silver. Regardless of color, all Pugs have a short, flat, black muzzle, velvety ears, and a curly tail. The short legs cause Pugs to have a rolling gait, which most people find cute and amusing.

Pugs are usually around 10 to 14 inches high, and weigh a hefty 15 to 28 pounds. Males are typically larger than females.

Temperament

Pugs are endearing dogs that are even-tempered, playful, mischievous, and very intelligent. While they do not have a tendency to bark, they do make great watch dogs in addition to fantastic pets. They are willful creatures that can get bored with repetitive training, and will benefit from attention, stimulating activity, and lots of play time. Pugs get along well together and aggression towards other dogs is rare.
They are extremely people-oriented and tend to identify with a special person in the home. Their favorite past time is to lounge around on any available lap. They are extremely kid-friendly and would also be wonderful companions for the sick, elderly or disabled because of their gentle, non-aggressive nature. They love to be included in whatever you do, and if they can't be directly involved, they will settle for keeping a close eye on you. Pugs are companion dogs. They do not do well if left alone for long periods of time and should not be kept as outside dogs. If you are not prepared to have your dog follow you around and need your attention then a Pug is not for you.

Dog Care (exercise, grooming, diet)

This breed sheds year round, but more heavily during the warmer seasons. Otherwise the smooth, short-haired coat is easy to groom.

They enjoy energetic games and will keep in better health if given regular exercise. But be careful not to over do it, especially if they start to wheeze. Walks should be confined to the cooler parts of the day, as they are extremely heat sensitive. Particularly during the warmer parts of the day, never walk a Pug a greater distance that you are willing to carry it home.

Pugs are extremely food oriented and should be kept on a regular diet and feeding schedule to prevent the breed's desire to overeat. They are sensitive to diet and can develop problems if given food that is disagreeable to their metabolisms.

Health Issues, Life Expectancy

Pugs catch cold easily and should be protected from excessive cold as well as extreme heat. They are prone to allergies and the short muzzle contributes to chronic breathing problems, including wheezing and snoring. They have delicate eyes and have a tendency toward conjunctivitis and watery eyes.

Pugs also have a tendency to overeat and can easily become obese if not kept in check. This can create or exacerbate existing breathing and respiratory problems.

Aging

Older Pugs tend to suffer from athritis and stiffness. This is especially true during the winter months in colder climates. Pug faces will often turn white or gray with age, as shown in the image below (some grey earlier than others for example the black Pug is only 2 years old on the left and 3 years later look at the silver hairs on the same Pug, she is only 5 in the photo to the right):




In general, however, Pugs are a hearty, easy-care dog. Healthy Pugs can live 12 to 15 years or more.

AKC Group

Pugs belong to the AKC Toy group, along with other breeds such as Miniature Pinschers, Shih Tzus, Yorkshire Terriers, and Chihuahuas. They are the largest in their category.

Pug Articles

• Pug Could Be Delware's State Dog from NBC10.com, May 11, 2006
• Pug O' My Heart from the LA Times, May 6, 2006
• For Pug People, a Breed Apart--Flat Out, The Seattle Times, May 13, 2005
• [Billy] Joel's Wife Falls for his Pug, PR Inside, April 10, 2006
• A Small Breed Makes it Big
• Topix Articles, USA - Descriptors Pug, Dog
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Additional Information

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• Pug Pictures, Information & Discussions - Purebredpups.org

• Pug Online Community - DogBreed.org
• Yahoo! Pets
• AKC
• Pug Dog Club of America
• Pugs.com
• Pug World
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