Origin story
Pugs are an ancient breed from China, which is mentioned in ancient manuscripts. Presumably, their ancestors were relatives of the Pekingese, who were loved by the local rich. At that time it was believed that this dog was marked with the imperial sign, because the folds on the forehead were collected in the likeness of a hieroglyph.
In the 16th century, Turkish ships brought pugs to France. And then they came to the Netherlands and became local favorites for the next two centuries. The fashion for the breed was finally established by the English royal family in the 19th century.
Pug: breed standard
Pugs are quite compact, up to 6-8 kg, with a proportional, square body. The height of the dog at the withers is up to 32 cm, although this is not so strictly stated in the rules. The first thing that immediately stands out is the large head with a flattened muzzle, a weakly defined bridge of the nose and large, wide-set eyes of a dark color.
Thin soft ears fit tightly to the head, and the mouth seems to be slightly distorted. The pug's neck is thick and strong, but with a pronounced scruff. The stocky body is muscular and well developed, with a broad chest, high ring tail and strong, straight legs.
Thin and smooth yellowish coat lies close to the skin. There are also black and silver pugs. But light-colored dogs must have a dark mask and markings.
Which puppy to choose
When choosing a future pet, you need to know about the classes of individuals:
- Pat. These dogs are bought as pets. Pugs are not suitable for exhibitions due to non-compliance with standards.
- Show. The breed is raised for competitive victories; pugs have an impeccable pedigree, the highest compliance with standard requirements and the highest price.
- Breed. Representatives of this species are cheaper than the show, but are not much inferior in other respects. With effort, the pug owner will achieve the highest results in assessing the dog.
It is not recommended to buy animals under 6-7 months of age. At an early age, it is still unclear which class the pet belongs to. And unscrupulous sellers or scammers may offer pet animals at show prices.
Types of pug puppies:
- Lightweight (terrier). Long neck, elongated and straight torso. This type of dog is in demand and often participates in exhibitions.
- Bulldog. It is distinguished by a wide chest, oblique shoulder blades, and large front paws.
- Shar Pei is the most unclaimed option. Abundance of skin folds, tendency to obesity, irregular topline. Dogs are not allowed to show, although not so long ago the participation of Shar-Pei pugs in the distribution of awards was not prohibited.
The puppy to be purchased must be healthy, with a proportional body, glossy coat without blemishes, skin without rashes or redness, clean ears and eyes without signs of inflammation. The dog should not emit an unpleasant odor, liquid from the nose, liquid or transparent is allowed.
Pug character
Pugs are quite docile and friendly, not aggressive at all and rarely cause problems. If a dog behaves strangely, there are most likely external reasons for this.
Traits and Temperament
Pugs only seem clumsy and always sleepy, because in fact at home they are very active, loving and friendly. This is a family dog that loves attention and will demand it in any way possible. They do not tolerate long periods of loneliness.
Attitude towards the owner
Pugs absolutely adore their owners. They are ready to cuddle, cuddle and play all day long. It is important to clearly set boundaries from early childhood so that an enthusiastic dog, even in outbursts of love, knows exactly what not to do and where not to go.
Attitude towards children
Most often, pugs love to fuss and play with babies, so they make excellent nannies for infants. They are patient and forgiving of pranks, and in case of danger they are ready to protect the child. But there is a nuance: if the baby arrived in the house much later than the dog, the dog may be jealous, and this cannot be ignored and left to chance.
Common Causes of Death in Pugs
No matter how sad and difficult it may be for the owners of cheerful, friendly dogs that are completely human-oriented. Pugs are not immortal! Sooner or later this happens to every pet. It is important to be prepared for the departure of your beloved dog, to know the main reasons in order to be able to survive this sad fact.
Let's look at what pugs usually die from:
- old age is the most common reason;
- heart pathologies;
- malignant formations (cancer);
- pathologies of the nervous system;
- respiratory tract diseases;
- death in the postoperative period;
- urological diseases;
- musculoskeletal pathologies;
- diseases of the reproductive system;
- liver failure;
- collapse;
- internal hemorrhages;
- gastrointestinal pathologies.
Each of these causes of death has an average survival age. It depends on what exactly pugs die from. Let's look at how long pugs with different pathologies live on average.
For example, dogs of this breed usually die from old age at the age of 10-17 years. The average age is 13 years. Dogs with heart disease can live 8-15 years. Average age is 11 years. Pathologies of the nervous system lead to death at the age of 2-15 years. Average age is 8 years. Oncology most often manifests itself between 4 and 13 years of age. The average survival age is 10 years.
Pug care
Pugs do need specific care. But it's not nearly as difficult as it seems at first glance!
Conditions of detention
The pug is a completely domestic dog for living in an apartment. He needs a bed in a warm, cozy place without drafts, but not near the radiator. Buy toys to prevent your dog from chewing everything around him, and prohibit him from gnawing objects indiscriminately. A small and smart pug can be trained to go to the toilet in a tray or on a diaper.
Hygiene
Once a week, your pug needs to be carefully brushed because he sheds a lot. You shouldn’t bathe your dog often – once every 2-3 months is enough. The most difficult thing to care for is the face: you need to clean the folds with a cotton swab dipped in a soft alcohol-free lotion.
Be sure to inspect and clean your ears, and if you smell a suspicious odor, contact your veterinarian. You can brush your teeth yourself or have your teeth cleaned by a professional. The same goes for nail trimming. It will be useful to periodically give your pug vitamins for its coat and skin.
Walks
It is enough to walk puppies for 5-15 minutes about 4 times a day. You can gradually increase the duration and reduce the frequency, because two half-hour walks are enough for an adult dog. Please note that excessive loads, heat and strong wind are contraindicated for them. But light active games will be very useful and will help prevent heart and weight problems.
Education and training
Pugs are a toy breed, so they do not need to be as difficult to train as fighting or guard dogs. But the simplest rules of behavior are still necessary. By the way, pugs are actually very smart, so they will be happy to learn useful commands in a playful way with encouragement in the form of treats.
Care depending on color
Charcoal is not only a rare shade, but also requires more careful care. Black-haired individuals should not be kept in the sun for a long time, otherwise the fur will acquire signs of fading. For bathing, you should choose professional shampoos for dogs with dark hair. Otherwise, caring for black pugs differs little from keeping their relatives.
Dogs of this breed are prone to weight gain; such animals should not be overfed. Signs of obesity will not allow the pet to participate in competitions and exhibitions, and the use of low-quality food will have a bad effect on the animal’s coat.
Expert opinion
Anna Abramenko
An avid dog lover. Experience in veterinary medicine since 2009.
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Pugs should not be overheated in the sun. Short, thick hair should be combed thoroughly, as dogs shed heavily. It is necessary to monitor your pet's oral cavity, brush teeth, trim claws, and care for the area around the eyes and ears.
What to feed a pug
Pugs can eat literally anything, but at the same time, they have a sensitive digestive system and are prone to obesity. Therefore, do not succumb to manipulation and unhappy eyes!
Pugs need solid food - they do not digest soups and stews well. 70% of the diet should consist of meat, and fresh meat, since they also do not digest boiled meat well. You can’t salt meat, but you can salt vegetables, if only a little. It is recommended to give milk occasionally and fish occasionally.
For puppies, the standard daily portion of food is about 5-7% of their weight. For six-month-old dogs - half as much, and it is better to feed them 5-6 times a day. Pork should not be given, but beef, poultry and other lean meats can and should be given. By the age of one year, gradually reduce the frequency of feeding to 2 times.
Among the vitamins and supplements, the pug needs vitamin A, which ensures the development of bones, muscles and organs. Fish oil and B vitamins are also very useful. And vitamin C not only strengthens the immune system, but also ensures good condition of the teeth and musculoskeletal system.
Health and disease of the breed
Unfortunately, pugs have quite a few health problems. Due to the structure of the skull, they often have difficulty breathing, snoring and problems with the respiratory tract in general. Their nasal tissues are very soft and sometimes even require surgery.
Pugs easily overheat in hot weather, and all their folds need to be cleaned daily. There are often problems with the eyes - they dry out, the eyelid rolls inward, damage appears on the cornea and iris, and retinal atrophy develops.
If your pug begins to have intestinal problems, vomiting and diarrhea, take him to the vet immediately. Rarely, encephalitis of the brain occurs, which can lead to seizures. Knee and hip problems are common.
Differences from other breeds: which one to choose?
- English Mastiff . The main distinguishing feature that catches your eye is the size. Mastiffs are real giants compared to pugs. If pugs weigh a maximum of 10 kg, then mastiffs weigh more than a hundred. But English Mastiff puppies are sometimes mistaken for adult pugs.
- Pekingese . Pekingese have a much longer coat and have an undercoat that Pugs do not have.
- French Bulldog . Representatives of the breed can be distinguished by their ears. The French Bulldog has erect hair, unlike the Pug. Another difference is the paws. In a bulldog they are slightly curved, while in a pug they are straight and parallel. The pug's tail is curled into a steep curl, while the bulldog's tail is always straight.
Important! Pugs have a longer lifespan, so you'll enjoy your pet longer.
When choosing a dog, you should also focus on personality preferences. Pugs are active dogs, they need active games . But bulldogs are suitable for calm, phlegmatic people.
In terms of health, the most vulnerable places in pugs are the respiratory system, eyes, skin, and bone skeleton. The most common diseases for this breed are allergies and obesity. French bulldogs have the same problems.
In terms of grooming, pugs require a lot of attention. All their folds accumulate dirt, which can cause an infectious disease. Therefore, wrinkles need to be cleaned regularly, and in hot weather, use lotion for this .
Despite their short hair, pugs need to be brushed. During shedding, fur remains everywhere in the apartment, and removing it is problematic. This problem does not exist with bulldogs. But caring for a Pekingese is comparable to the hygiene procedures of a pug. The long coat of the Pekingese also needs to be constantly monitored and combed.
If you are a person leading an active lifestyle, with ever-inextinguishable energy and looking for a companion in all your activities, if you have the time and desire to constantly play and train your pet, the best option for you will, of course, be a pug.
