Is A Pug The Right Dog For You?

Is A Pug The Right Dog For You?
By Michelle Arthur


Need expert Pug information help you with your dog? Here’s the vital 411, from their history to upkeep and health issues.

Pugs are members of the toy dog group due to their small size. But though small in stature, don’t be fooled, as these are quite powerful and often heavy dogs! Adult dogs vary in weight from approximately 15 to 25 lbs, with females weighing on the low end and males on the high end. They are “a lot in a little package” and you shouldn’t be afraid to horse around with them – they’re not delicate creatures, so feel free to play tug and wrestle around a bit!

These dogs make a lot of funny sounds! Don’t get a Pug if you want a quiet dog. They will snort and snore and make other wheezing noises due to their squished-in noses…but they tend to not be barkers, so you’ll be spared the yipping characteristic of most other small breeds.

They are affectionate, loyal, playful dogs with wonderful personalities. They love to keep your attention and will do almost anything to keep you entertained. Many people think of them as little clowns.

These dogs get along very well with children and are ideally suited for a family’s home. Our two boys are terrific around our 6-month-old baby, and they’ve also played well with our friends’ toddlers. They are not aggressive with other people – far from it! As far as getting along with other canines, they usually get along well but just be careful as you would with any breed until you get to know the new dog.

When it comes to housetraining and obedience training, be warned, this is a stubborn breed! They’re intelligent dogs and they aim to please, but once they have something in their minds, it can be tough to change. The best bet is to use food as an “ethical bride” in your training efforts and to try a positive training method such as clicker training, which is ideally suited for this sensitive, affectionate breed.

As for Pug care, these dogs need to have plenty of exercise on a daily basis despite their small size. Daily exercise will often do a terrific job of helping your dog stay healthy. And just a brisk walk for 20 to 30 minutes would be ideal, so don’t worry about running marathons with ‘em. Just build some time into your schedule to let these dynamos stretch their legs every day.

They have a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years when healthy, and many live longer! So this means you can look forward to a long time together with your dog. There are two major health issues that you need to keep an eye on, however -- CHD and Pug dog encephalitis. Check with your vet for more info on both issues.

That’s all the Pug information you need to decide whether this is the right dog for you!

Michelle Arthur is a Pug lover, owner and trainer who has helped hundreds of people find, train, care for and breed these adorable dogs. For more information, please see Pug names, Pug information, Pug guide

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