Mary Allen
The pug is a real clown in dog fur. It enriches every family and is also suitable for beginners. Here you can find all information about the funny little fellows.
There is hardly a dog that makes as many people happy as the pug.
The small, cuddly animal with the short legs, the flat face, and the nature of a true comedian already inspired Chinese emperors thousands of years ago.
In the 16th and 17th centuries, the pug became the fashion dog of the European nobility and more recently the mascot of the German humorist Loriot.
The pug: a small, cute main prize
Today, the pug remains one of the most popular dog breeds among pets. His character makes him a loyal companion in need of love and everyone who chooses the Pug as their house dog gains a real whirlwind as a new family member.
But where does the little dog actually come from? What makes his nature so special and why does the pug look so squishy? Find out all the important information about the breed in our breed portrait.
How big is a pug?
Pugs belong to small dog breeds and have an average height at the withers of between 25 and 35 cm. There are slight differences between a male and a female.
As with almost all other dog breeds, adult Pug females are slightly smaller than males. They reach an average height at the withers of between 25 and 30 cm, while males can grow up to 35 cm. Regardless of whether it is a male or a female, the pug is a very handy dog.
How heavy is a pug?
The FCI, the largest umbrella organization for breeders in the world, states that the ideal weight of the breed is between six and eight kilograms. However, this is only a guideline for breeders. In reality, dogs can also weigh up to 13 kilograms, depending on their genetic make-up, diet, and exercise.
Females are generally slightly lighter than males, although the differences in pugs are minimal.
What does a pug look like?
Pugs are characterized by a very compact, almost square body and firm musculature.
The head
The head is a unique feature of this dog. The pug has a wrinkled face with round bulging eyes, a very flat snout, a slightly protruding nose that is almost or completely covered by a nasal fold, and small floppy ears.
The fur
The fur is short, smooth, and soft. It is available in silver, cream or black. On the face, the fur usually gets darker towards the snout, so it is often said that pugs wear “black masks”. In addition to the wrinkles on the face, neck and chest folds are also a feature of small dogs.
Change in appearance over the years
Today’s very flat face is a deliberate breeding trait. Originally, the dog had a longer snout and a more prominent nose, but these were considered “ugly” by breeders in the early days of pug breeding and were bred away over time.
Because this short snout often causes health problems in pugs, a longer snout is now favored in breeding again.
In some countries, pug breeding is now even banned or restricted unless certain traits are abolished. These include, for example, thick fur folds that cover the eyes and nose.
How old does a pug get?
Typical of small dog breeds, the life expectancy of pugs is higher than that of larger dogs, averaging 12 to 15 years. Some animals can live even longer if they are in good health and care.
What character or nature does the pug have?
The breed is not only popular with people because of its appearance, but above all because of its typical character and traits.
The little fur balls are considered to be extremely playful and people-related. When showered with love, they are happiest and give back double the affection. They don’t tolerate loneliness very well, they would rather live in the midst of their (extended) family and keep their people happy with all kinds of jokes and practical jokes.
Instead of a hunting instinct and urge to move, the small dog has a great need for cuddling and is sociable, which is why it is also a popular senior dog.
The pug loves children and is almost always friendly to other people and dogs, and characteristics such as increased aggressiveness towards other people and animals are hardly known.
The pug rarely barks. If he’s not happy with something, or if he wants more attention (or another treat), he can instead use an impressive repertoire of communication tools, from grunts to snorts to growls.
Where does the pug come from?
The Pug is one of the oldest breeding dogs in the world. It was probably bred from mastiff-like dogs in ancient China around 2,000 years ago and was considered a valuable status symbol that was often only withheld from the Chinese emperors.
The dog came from China to the Dutch royal court around 1500 and from there established itself as a lovable, playful, and slightly stubborn salon dog of the European nobility.
First, the popularity of the funny dogs fell in the meantime. But then they were “rediscovered” in the early 20th century and have since become one of the most popular dog breeds around the world.
Pug: The right posture and upbringing
The faithful animals are companion dogs and not sports cannons. They live perfectly happily even in smaller spaces and don’t necessarily need a garden as long as they get outside daily.
They are not really suitable for jogging or as an accompaniment on long bike rides. Nevertheless, care should be taken to ensure sufficient exercise, as the dog loves food more than anything and tends not to stop on its own.
The small dogs have strong personalities from puppies and, although they often seem a little goofy, they are also quite intelligent. Even with puppies, the value should be placed on a loving but also consistent upbringing, because they have a very lively temperament, especially at a young age, and (still) don’t know any limits.
Since pugs are very people-related and want to please their mistress and master, training them is generally rather easy. This means that pugs are among beginner dogs and are therefore also well suited for first-time dog owners.
What care does the pug need?
The lovable dogs are more or less easy to care for. Their hairy coat should be brushed often and their ears, eyes, and nose should be checked and cleaned regularly. Anyone who has a problem with dog hair in the apartment will have more of a problem with the pug. We then recommend dogs that shed little.
You should pay special attention to facial wrinkles. These should be cleaned and kept supple regularly, especially after meals or after outdoor activities.
When it comes to nutrition, you should always base it on the age and weight of the animal, but be careful: small dogs tend to become overweight if they are fed too much and not exercised enough.
You should pay special attention to facial wrinkles. These should be cleaned and kept supple regularly, especially after meals or after outdoor activities.
When it comes to nutrition, you should always base it on the age and weight of the animal, but be careful: small dogs tend to become overweight if they are fed too much and not exercised enough.
What are the typical diseases of the pug?
As a rule, the little clowns are considered a healthy and robust dog breed that does not suffer from chronic diseases as often as other breeds.
The problem of the short nose
Unfortunately, the past breeding preference for an extremely short snout means that many animals today suffer from shortness of breath and related health problems in their lifetime. Long distances quickly tire the pug, and too much exercise can even lead to a circulatory collapse. Many veterinarians now offer surgical procedures to help animals breathe easier.
The big eyes problem
Similar to other small dog breeds, pugs can also suffer from conditions such as luxating patella or hip dysplasia. Protruding eyes can also lead to increased corneal disease and inflammation, but good care can prevent this.
Within the breed, there is also the so-called Pug-Dog-Encephalitis, a hereditary disease of the central nervous system. It is estimated that the disease occurs in about 1% of all animals, with infected dogs being removed from breeding to prevent the spread of the disease.
How much does a pug cost?
Pugs are typical breeding dogs with many strictly defined qualities and characteristics. Purebred animals from a reputable, recognized breeder cost between 1,300 and 1,500 euros in Germany, with some breeders up to 2,000 euros.
This high price makes sense, as reputable breeders are very careful to ensure puppies are healthy and breed standards are met.
When choosing a breeder, make sure, among other things, that the standards that are now required for a longer muzzle and a clear nose and eye area are observed. A snout that is too flat is now quite rightly regarded as torture and can seriously damage the health of the animals.