Small
14 Years
8.1 Kg
Toy Dogs
Docile, Playful, Quiet, Social
The Pug is a small breed belonging to the toy group characterized by a wrinkled face; compact, heavy-boned and well-muscled. This cobby breed has a large round head, short, blunt and square muzzle with clearly defined wrinkles. It has dark, very large round eyes which give an anxious and concerned expression, small and velvety black ears that come in two types and a slightly undershot mouth, wide lower jaw with incisors almost forming a straight line. Pugs with “rose” ears have small dropped ear that folds over and back to reveal the burr (giving the head a more rotund shape) while Pugs with “button” ears have forward-folding flaps with the tip lying close to the skull to cover the opening. The neck is slightly arched and is long enough to carry the head confidently. The Pug’s legs are short but very strong cushioned by rather long feet with well split up toes. The highly set tail is tightly twisted over the hip. The coat is fine, smooth, short and glossy and comes in silver, apricot, fawn or black.
IntelligenceAll dog breeds have different levels of intellect. Some dog breeds; working dogs in particular, are very independent thinkers and have been evolved to be very intelligent. Typically, a highly intelligent dog does well in obedience training and other activities. A highly intelligent dog can be very demanding and do require lots of physical and mental stimulation. If you’re looking for a relatively laid-back dog, that doesn’t require lots of mental and physical stimulation, then you must fully understand the level of intelligence of your dog breed of choice.
Before committing to a certain dog breed, you must fully understand their intellect levels and their specific levels of energy. To keep your dog well-balanced and happy, their needs must be met and maintained.
Exercise NeedsAll dog breeds have different needs when it comes to the level of exercise they require. For the high energy dogs; which are your typical working dogs, they have a lot of energy and require lots of daily exercise along with plenty of mental stimulation. A highly energetic dog breed would suit an individual or family that is equally as active and loves the outdoors. There are also breeds that have relatively low exercise needs, such as toy dog breeds. Although they require daily exercise and mental stimulation, they’re just as happy chilling at home with their loved ones. This type of dog breed would suit an individual or family that prefers the peace and quiet and relaxation.
Before deciding on your chosen dog breed, Mypetzilla recommends that you research the exercise needs and whether you’re well equipped before committing to buying or adopting a particular dog breed.
Dogs HealthThere are several dog breeds that are known and potentially predisposed to developing health related conditions. Sensible breeding can help prevent the onset of health related conditions and this should always be taken into condition when researching your dog breed of choice. Before committing to a dog, you should speak to the breeder about any health related conditions that may affect the dog you’re looking to buy or adopt. You can also request to see any test results from genetic testing.
Child FriendlyThere are many dog breeds that tolerate children really well and are not affected by the constant noise and need for play-time. However, there are some dog breeds that don’t do very well with children and can become frustrated and snappy. That being said, all children should be shown how to handle and care for a dog in their home and should always be supervised when playing. As much as a dog can become annoyed and snappy with a younger child, the child can also become less tolerant and misbehaved towards the dog.
Mypetzilla recommends that you always supervise play-time between your children and dog. Children need to respect the boundaries and feeding time for the dog and likewise for the child. We also strongly advise that play-time doesn’t get out of control and too rough which can cause injury to both child and dog.
ApartmentThere are lots of dog breeds that are well suited to living in an apartment. It’s worthwhile noting that you need to check that you’re allowed dogs in your building before committing to bringing one home. If you do decide to own a dog and are living in an apartment, then you must make sure that they have plenty of room to roam around and frequent walks outside to prevent them from becoming bored and depressed.
Mypetzilla recommends that you check as to whether you’re allowed dogs in your apartment building and to fully ensure your apartment is dog proof before committing fully to bringing a dog home.
SheddingAll dog breeds shed to some extent, some more than others. With this, all potential dog owners should be aware of this, as it will be a matter of putting up with some hair or lots of hair being left around the house. Depending on the dog breed, there are certain times during the year where some dog breeds shed the most and this is typically around spring and autumn. However, there are some dog breeds that shed all year round.
If you’re very house-proud, they you may want to choose a dog breed that sheds very little. Mypetzilla strongly recommends that you fully research your dog breed of choice and their shedding levels before committing.
Grooming NeedsAll dog breeds require different levels of grooming. Some dog breeds are easier to maintain than others and only require a weekly brush to help keep their coat in good condition. There are some dog breeds that require regular trips to the grooming parlour and this can come at a huge cost. Either way, all dog breeds require their coat and nails to be maintained and cared for.
Mypetzilla strongly advices that potential owners research the grooming needs and associated costs with their desired dog breed before fully committing.
BarkingBarking is a necessity for your dog to communicate. However, it can also be a nuisance to yourself and fellow neighbours if it’s not kept under control. If you live in an apartment, then you’re better off choosing a dog breed that doesn’t bark as much. If you live further out and far from civilisation, then it’s worthwhile looking into a dog breed that does bark and will bark to alert you of any other company on your property.
Mypetzilla advices that you research the behaviours of your dog breed of choice and whether this would work for you and your family. It’s worth noting that dogs can be trained to bark less and this will take a lot of effort and training from the owner.
AloneMajority dog breeds form very close relationships with their owners and as a result can become very stressed when left alone for a period of time. If a dog is suffering with separation anxiety then they’re very likely to become destructive around the home as a way of dealing with their anxieties. Dog breeds that do form strong bonds with their owners are better accustomed to a household where one member of the family remains home, whilst the others are out, this is to help avoid further anxieties and destructive behaviours.
Mypetzilla recommends that all potential owners research their dog breed of choice on their bonding abilities and how well-adjusted they are to being left alone at home. It’s also worth noting that you should never leave your dog for longer than 4 hours alone at home.
TrainabilityThere are certain dogs breeds that have very high intellect and therefore easier to train than other dog breeds. There is also a downside to this; as fast as they learn the new trick or command, they can easily pick up bad habits just as quick. Other dog breeds that don’t rank as high on the intellect scale require patience and plenty of reward treats from their owners during training.
Before committing to a certain dog breed, Mypetzilla advices you to fully research your dog breed of choice and their level of training needs.
Energy LevelsAll dog breeds have different energy levels. The working dog breed has one of the highest energy levels in comparison to the low-energy dog’s breeds such as the Toy dog breed group. To keep a dog truly happy, healthy and well-balanced, their energy levels must be met.
High-energy dog breeds need lots of exercise and mental stimulation. High energy dog breeds would suit an active family or person. Dog breeds that are considered as low-energy, love to spend the majority of their time relaxing and sleeping in their favourite, comfy spot. A low-energy dog breed would suit an individual that equally loves the quiet life and relaxing lifestyle. Of course, low-energy dogs still need their daily walks and mental stimulation, just not as much as a high-energy dog breed.
Mypetzilla recommends that potential owner research fully on the type of dog breed that would suit their existing lifestyle and to also take into consideration the dog breeds energy levels and exercise requirements.
Dog friendlyBefore you decide on what dog breed would be suitable for you and your family, you must consider whether they’re a friendly dog breed and if you already have other pets within the household. For homes that already have dogs and other domestic pets, then it’s wise to choose a dog breed that has a friendly personality and temperament.
There are some dog breeds that mix well with other dog breeds and there are others that don’t suit one another and this could potentially cause issues later on down the line.
Another important point to consider is whether the dog breed of choice is friendly towards people and children.
Mypetzilla recommends to research fully on the right dog breed for your family and to also consider their temperament and characteristics.
The Pug is one of the oldest breed of dogs and its origin is a debatable matter. Some say it may have been a miniature variant of the rare French mastiff or a result of other Oriental breeds such the shorthaired Pekingese. Others claim that it might have developed from a small bulldog. The lineage may seem to be unclear but one thing is for sure: the Pug originated somewhere in Asia and has a similar history with the Pekingese. Although the ancient Pugs might have looked slightly different compared to today’s Pugs, writings that date back to 600 B.C. described a “short mouthed” dog. In 950 A.D. a Chinese dictionary was commissioned by Emperor Kang Hsi and in it were included two references that described a “dog with short legs” and “a dog with a short head.” By the 14th century, there were three main types of identifiable dog breeds which constituted the ancestors of three of today’s modern dogs: the Pekingese, the Japanese Spaniel and the Pug. When China began trading with several European countries in the late half of the 16th century to the early part of the 17th century, the Pug was presented as a gift to European sailors thus, starting a rise of the Pug’s popularity in Europe. Described as “Lo-Sze” in the early 1900s, the Pug is thought to have set afoot in Holland, the home of the famous Dutch East Indies Company. It was named “mopshund”, a name that is still used today. It was made popular in France by Josephine Bonaparte who owned a Pug named “Fortune.” Goya also painted the breed in Spain in 1785 depicting a cropped ear Pug. It was first exhibited in England in 1861 and was included in the first stud book volume in 1871.
The Pug is a natural clown and a show off. The Pug is a friendly, sociable breed and does not bark excessively, but will typically announce any visitor which makes it a qualified watchdog. Early socialization is required to raise a well-balanced temperament.
The Pug is a sensitive breed so that harsh approach or shouting has no room in training a pug. Repetitive training will also bore this clever and intelligent breed. It loves human companionship and needs plenty of attention or it will become aggrieved. It is smart, loyal, and always eager to please but can be quite stubborn and it can be a slow learner. Sometimes it takes a Pug longer than other dogs to understand what the owner wants. It is generally sensitive to the tone of the human voice.
Grooming is also very straightforward as the coat only needs occasional brushing or combing, bathing only when needed. This breed is a seasonal heavy shedder and may require more grooming attention during these seasons. The wrinkles on the face must be checked and cleaned regularly.
The Pug’s ideal diet is high in animal fat with low protein content. Grain foods may include some barley, wheat and rice. It should not be overfed since it has the tendency to eat more that it needs, making it obese and live a much shorter life.
A Pug has an average lifespan of 12 to 15 years. It is generally sensitive to extreme hot or cold weather and is prone to eye problems (such as keratitis or inflammation of the cornea, and eye ulcers) due to the fact that it has a short snout and it has no skeletal brow ridges which can easily scratch or injure its cornea. It is also susceptible to allergies and its short muzzle also can cause the Pug to develop breathing problems. It can also suffer from a specific chronic disease called Pug Dog Encephalitis (PDE) which causes inflammation of the brain and has no known cause or cure although it is believed to be inherited. Like other brachycephalic dogs, it is also susceptible to congenital vertebral anomaly which is a malformation of the spine. Pug puppies are born through caesarean section.
It has a low exercise requirement but like all dog breeds, it will enjoy a nice short walk or a session of play in an open space.
It is generally good with children and gets along well with them. Although it is a natural companion, it can not tolerate extreme heat which can be fatal to the breed. This breed gets along well with other dogs and pets, but will usually require a lot more attention than other pets or it will get jealous.
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