Pug | Dog Breed Information & Facts – Pictures

The pug is a small dog, which attracts attention, first of all, by its appearance, in which stands out its dark face and its flattened nose. It is one of the brachycephalic dogs, an anatomical conformation associated with certain health problems.

This pug must be in constant company as they are very playful and if they are alone, they can develop separation anxiety. This is why it is not recommended to adopt it for families with very young children, since they cannot receive all the attention they deserve. But with slightly older children, there is no problem with pugs, but quite the contrary, because they are very affectionate and sociable animals.

Many people do not understand how their wrinkled muzzle, capable of making pretty grimaces, cannot touch them. Despite the fact that pugs are quite miniature in size, they are considered the largest among all small dog breeds.

Dog-sheet-Pug

Pug photos

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Physical characteristics

Pug is a small decorative dog (an adult measures approximately 25 to 33 cm). It is a dog with a short, chubby and compact body. Despite being a small dog, the pug is a muscular animal and rather heavy with a square shape. Its weight is about 6 to 8 kg. The short, soft and shiny coat is available in several colors: silver, apricot, fawn or black.

Dog-characteristics-Pug

Distinctive features

  • Head: massive, not like an apple, without bumps or protuberances. The muzzle is square, short, flattened. The front does not exceed eyebrows.
  • Jaws: explicit chin, tight bite. The upper incisors ride the lower.
  • Eyes: convex, round, dark color, largely spaced.
  • Ears: Thin, miniature, soft, with a high cut. Press the head. There are such shapes: “rosette” – small, folds on the head, exceeds a little back, the interior is open; “Buttons” – ears hanging forward with edges adjacent to the head, their internal openings are closed.
  • Legs: the anterior legs are straight, strong and of medium length. The fingers are well separated, the claws are black.
  • The hind legs are strong and parallel. The legs are elongated, have clearly defined hocks, knee joints and muscular thighs.
  • Pelage: smooth and short. The sub-point is soft and dense.

Character and behavior

The pug has the temperament typical of a companion dog. He is affectionate, cheerful and playful. He has a strong personality and likes to attract attention, but he is stable in nature.

These dogs are easy to socialize, and tend to get along well with adults, children, other dogs, and other animals. However, although they are fun, they do not resist intense games and pranks of young children. Of course, in order for them to get along with strangers and other pets, it is important to socialize them with puppies.

In general, these dogs do not exhibit behavioral problems, but can develop separation anxiety with some ease. The pug needs constant companionship and can become a destructive dog when left alone for a long time. They should also exercise and receive mental stimulation so as not to get bored.

With their adorable and happy nature and their need for affection and camaraderie, the Pug is an excellent dog for families looking for a large dog with a caring attitude. They like to travel or stay at home because they are happy when and where they are with their family. Their whimsical appearance and their nature make them difficult to resist.

Health

Pug has a number of problems, in particular:

  • The “itinerant dandruff” are a skin disease caused by a small mite;
  • Pug encephalitis;
  • Epilepsy;
  • Nerve degeneration;
  • Corneal ulcers;
  • Keratoconjunctivitis;
  • Pigmentary keratitis;
  • Exophthalmia;
  • Distichiasis;
  • Entropion;
  • Progressive retinal atrophy;
  • Allergy;
  • Golden staphylococcus (infection);
  • Mycosis;
  • Distorted vertebrae;
  • Hip dysplasia;
  • Legg-Perthes disease;
  • Knee dislocation;
  • Sensitivity to vaccination.

Important

Note that pugs do not support heat and humidity due to their short muzzle (the air is cooled when it passes through the dog’s nose and before entering the lungs). When your box is outside, watch it carefully to detect any sign of overheating.

Care

The pug must be combed once a week, but during the moult – at least twice a week, and perhaps more often. The ears should be cleaned two to three times a week and the eyes are generally cleared of mucus daily. You should bathe the dog once or twice a month, if it sleeps with you in bed, then more often. The nails are cut three times a month.

Important

Pugs are voracious eaters and can eat too much if they have the opportunity. Since they easily gain weight, they can quickly become obese if their food intake is not carefully controlled.

Exercise

The Pug only needs half an hour of daily exercise, but he will enjoy spending the day with his owner and accompanying him to run errands. Avoid exercising in the summer during the hottest hours and do not leave it in the car in hot weather, as the pug may have breathing problems.

Fun Facts

  • This breed of dog snores and sniffs, which is a side effect of a flat face. Learn to consider noise as a lullaby.
  • In 1688, the dog PAGS became the official dog of the Dutch royal family. A box named Pompey is represented on the grave of Prince Guillaume d’Orange in Delft (Holland).
  • Napoleon’s wife, Joséphine, used her cabin named Fortune to spend secret messages, under a dog necklace, to her husband when she was imprisoned in Carme.
  • With their distinctive faces and adorable personalities, the pugs could be stars like Otis of the adventures of Milo & Otis and Frank of Men in Black.
  • The Buddhist monasteries of Tibet kept pugs as pets.
  • The pugs have different names: Lo-Sze (China), Mopsi (Finland) and Doguillo (Spain). In Holland, the pug is called “Mopshond”, which means “growled” in Dutch.
  • There are many theories on the origin of the name “PUG”. A story says that it is because of the expression of the dog’s monkey. Another theory suggests that the name of the hug is based on the Latin word “pugnus”, which means “fist” because the dog’s face looks like a closed fist.

History of the breed

According to the official version, the country of origin of the breed is China. Scientists suggest that it originated in the 5th century BC and descended from miniature mastiffs.

The characteristic short and wide skull shape could be due to mutations resulting from inbreeding, often practiced in the past.

They appeared in Europe in the 16th century, thanks to the Dutch sailors. The so-called “Chinese Mastiffs” quickly gained popularity among the upper classes. The breed soon spread throughout Europe. English breeders have done significant breeding work, as a result of which the animals have become more compact and muscular, but compared to today, they are still more refined, with long limbs and a muzzle.

In the 19th century, pugs of Chinese origin were brought back to Britain, characterized by their short stature, stockiness and short muzzles. They were mixed with the European subspecies, which was the beginning of the emergence of individuals of the modern type.