Pug dog breed - character, care, pros and cons +Video

History of appearance

The first mentions of pugs appear in China. Despite the fact that this breed is characterized by a number of pathologies associated with their anatomical features, this breed of dog is very popular among breeders.

These animals appeared in China as early as 1800.

According to documentary sources, this breed of dog was bred for members of the royal family of the Chinese dynasty. If these data are true, then we can easily say that pugs appeared back in 400 BC.

Dogs came to Europe about 4 centuries ago, when there was a war between Holland and Spain..

However, a huge number of records have not survived to this day, which makes it very difficult to determine the exact origin of pugs.

History of the breed

The Chinese peculiar breed of dogs already in ancient times earned honor among the nobility. Judging by the manuscripts, in this country there were two types of dogs with a short muzzle and a square body.

These are the long-haired "Ha Pa" and the Pekingese-like "Lo Jie" with short hair. Based on the analysis of the history of origin, it is believed that representatives of the second variety became the ancestors of pugs, who then lived in rich houses. The folds that appeared on the dogs' foreheads looked like hieroglyphs. Thanks to this peculiar pattern, the breed received the name of the imperial mark.

Character of the breed

Pugs are very sociable and kind animals. They love to play and have fun.

Most dogs are prone to napping and petting. However, at some moments the animal has bursts of activity, and the dog begins to frolic and run around the house. However, this does not last very long.

Pugs are very loving and low-maintenance animals, making them very suitable for less experienced dog breeders . For those who don’t have much free time, it’s better to give up the idea of ​​getting a pug.

Dogs of this breed become devoted companions for older people. They are very easy to train, as they are distinguished by a sharp mind. At the same time, they are distinguished by stubbornness.

Dogs of this breed are very alert and attentive . They get along especially with those. Who gives them love and attention. In addition, pugs get along well with children. They tolerate loneliness quite hard.

Expert opinion

Kozhevin Semyon Kirillovich

Expert dog handler.

“Pug dogs are highly intelligent. Due to this, they are very trainable and upbringing. However, they are characterized by a low speed of intelligence. Therefore, you should not torture either the animal or the owners, and teach the pug only the basic commands that are necessary for everyday life.”

Pros of the breed

Advantages:

• They have interesting external characteristics . They are popular all over the world.
• Small size (you can have a dog in the apartment, it will not cause inconvenience). Your pet doesn't need a big yard to run around.
• Activity (the dog is interesting to small children). Pugs happily play a variety of games. They gain the attention of others in any way.
• She has a number of positive qualities: cheerfulness, sociability, curiosity. Has a pleasant disposition.
• The pet is unpretentious in food.
• He loves his owner and wants to be with him all the time.
• Caring for the coat is easy (due to the short coat, which does not need to be constantly combed and washed). The fur sometimes needs to be cleaned with a special comb. Wash your pet once a month. Overall, keeping your pug clean won't be too difficult.
• Devotion . Having earned the trust of a pet once, the owner will receive a devoted friend for many years. A dog can protect you from danger, although many people doubt it.
• Quick adaptation to a new family.
• They want to constantly be the center of attention.
• They love to tinker with toys.
• Easy to learn.
• They have expressive eyes with a special sparkle.

Advantages and disadvantages

The indisputable advantage of pugs is their kindness and ability to quickly adapt to the family. These dogs very quickly adapt to the normal rhythm of life of the family in which they find themselves.

They are very friendly and very curious.

The four-legged pets of this breed are very friendly towards children.

Pugs have great patience with children's mischief and pranks and are absolutely not prone to loud barking. Therefore, there is no need to worry that children's sleep will be disturbed at some point.

NOTE!

Pugs are very calm, affectionate and always ready to play, making them great partners for older people.

Feeding a pug will not be difficult, which is undoubtedly another advantage in choosing a pet of this breed. Dogs happily consume both dry food and natural food.

In the latter case, it is better to give preference to raw meat, cereals, vegetables, and bread.

If we talk about disadvantages, then dogs of this breed are not suitable for those families whose members have an allergic reaction to wool - these dogs can shed heavily.

In addition, animals require regular care for skin folds and teeth. If you do not take care of the folds, then a bacteriological environment or an infectious process may develop there. Along with this, food waste or discharge from the eyes can collect in the folds. To avoid such a situation

A special lotion should be applied to the area between the folds every other day and treated with Vaseline weekly.

Pugs' teeth are very closely spaced . And food collects in the area between the teeth, which can lead to gum disease and bad breath. The animal's bark is quiet.

However, this problem can be solved if you regularly brush your four-legged friend’s teeth.

Approximately 20% of Pugs snore while sleeping . In this case, it is necessary to consult a veterinarian who will help determine the cause of this phenomenon.

Pugs are distinguished by excessive gullibility, which should rather be perceived as a flaw. This feature can lead to the fact that the animal may suddenly get lost or be taken away by strangers.

Therefore, during walks you should not leave the animal unattended.

What is he like?

If you have chosen a pug as a pet, you will be delighted with its charm and personality. This dog breed is quite good-natured and playful. But a pug can also show another side of its character, becoming mischievous and quite stubborn. They have a very quick mind, good intelligence, but are prone to losing interest quickly.

Description of temperament

Pugs are more suitable for families who are not used to leading an active lifestyle. If you choose between a walk and a sofa, the dog will remain at the owner’s side.

Young dogs are more playful and active; they will not refuse a short walk. Education will be much easier than training. To teach a pug to obey commands, you need to show endurance and perseverance.

The pet will quickly join your family and become another member of it. He will be glad to any guests who visit your home. They are not good guards, so train them first so that the dog does not approach strangers on the street and does not take food from their hands.

Pugs are kind to everyone. They do not show aggression. They love attention and affection, so make sure before getting an animal that you are ready to devote a lot of time to its person. Otherwise, the pug will get bored and consider itself abandoned.

Breed Features

Each representative of its breed has a number of unique characteristics. Pugs are fairly balanced, calm and friendly dogs. Besides this, what future owners need to know:

• They cannot stand loneliness. Pugs will only be in a good mood and not stressed if there is a person nearby. If your dog is often left alone, be prepared for the fact that he may get sick.
• Pugs “grunt.” Such sounds are characteristic of some breeds. While awake, they may puff and grunt. During sleep, a dog often snores like an adult. Therefore, if you like to sleep in silence, take this breed feature into account. As your dog ages, snoring will only get worse.
• Dislike of drunk people. This feature can be attributed to any breed. Usually the dog treats all people well and with love. But if you notice that she is not in the mood to communicate with a specific person, then it is better not to insist.

Pugs are considered great companions and loyal friends, but they are not for everyone.

Wool shades

Pugs have short fur. You should pay attention to this when choosing a puppy. A purebred dog cannot have long hair.

The fur of these four-legged friends fits tightly and follows all the fold lines on the body.

In addition to black, a necessary condition for all animal colors is the presence of a dark mask on the face and darkening in the ear areas, which will result in a contrast with the key shade.

Existing standards for this breed indicate that dogs of this breed may also have marks on the forehead or back.

Purebred pugs have the following coat color options:

• pure black;
• different variations of beige, including sand, peach or apricot;
• as well as a silver shade of fur.

An interesting fact is that among pugs, for quite a long time, the option with a black coat was not recognized or was completely excluded.

Walks

Although the appearance of pugs may make you think that they are lazy, this is absolutely not the case.

Dogs love leisurely hour-long walks during the warm season. In winter, you can shorten your promenade with your dog to a quarter of an hour.

This minimum time will be enough for the dog to relieve itself.

So, older couples or busy people don’t have to worry about walking out taking a long time.

Outdoor excursions are necessary to maintain the dog’s muscle tone, as well as normal weight according to the breed standard.

This is very important, since pugs are also food lovers, and a sedentary lifestyle can contribute to obesity and health problems.

Considering all this, pugs can be called ideal pets in terms of walking.

Existing standard

As with any other animal, pugs have their own requirements for the breed, a detailed description of which is in the standard.

The first such standard of pugs appeared at the end of the 19th century, several years after the English Club of these animals opened .

To date, the 2011 standards remain relevant.

So, from a geometric point of view, pugs are very proportional.

Ideally, the length of the dog's body should be equal to the length of its height at the withers . Thus, the correct body for a dog is a square.

The weight of a pug should be between 6.3 kg and 8.1 kg. In this case, the pug does not look fat. If we talk about height, then for a female it is 25.5-30.5 cm.

With males, this figure varies from 30.5 to 33 cm.

The pug's legs should be proportional to its body . The head should be shaped like a square.

According to current requirements, the animal's nostrils must be large and fully open.

According to the standard, the animal's forehead and lower jaw should be wide . If this requirement is not met, visual deformation of the face will be observed.

Description of the breed

A distinctive feature of pugs is the square format of the overall appearance, the proportionality and compactness of the dog.

Read the article: Pugs colors: black, white, red, brown, gray, brindle and apricot color

There are three types:

1. Terrier with elongated neck. Characterized by a straight, elongated body. It is considered the most interesting and attractive.
2. Bulldog with a wide torso. It is distinguished by obliquely positioned shoulder blades.
3. Shar Pei with a lot of weight and lots of folds. Such a dog has a hidden flaw - an incorrect line of the top of the body.

Parts of a dog's body with a description of the breed:

The breed standard regulates apricot, black, as well as silver and beige colors.

With a light tone, the distinctive feature of pugs is a dark stripe that continues from the back of the head to the base of the tail, charcoal ears and a mask, moles on the cheeks, a diamond-shaped spot on the forehead.

Dogs with long hair cannot be considered to meet the standard.

Contents in the apartment

To begin with, it should be noted that pugs are not at all suitable for living on the street or in an enclosure. Only home conditions are acceptable for him.

The compactness of this dog breed makes it possible to keep them even in a 1-room apartment.

In order for the pet to rest, it is necessary to allocate a warm and quiet corner for it . It is necessary to choose a place that is protected from drafts and located in a place where there is no battery nearby.

In this case, a living room or bedroom is perfect. However, you should be prepared for the fact that these animals snore.

For a lounger, you need to choose a mattress filled with hypoallergenic contents that has removable covers.

It is important to understand that Pugs shed quite a lot . Therefore, lounger covers should be washed regularly and the rest area should be wet cleaned.

For the dog, you need to prepare 2 bowls, one of which will be for food, and the second for water. Since these dogs love to chew on everything, you should provide them with toys in advance.

Pugs are very prone to being overweight . To prevent this, it is necessary to exclude fatty foods from the dog’s diet. Therefore, the meat that owners feed their pets must be lean.

And here preference should be given to beef, rabbit or turkey.

As for cereals, it should be in limited quantities in the diet of a four-legged family friend . Porridge should be fed no more than 2-3 times a week. But vegetables are great for feeding pugs.

All the beauty is in the ugliness

Let's talk about excess weight, which a dog gains not of his own free will, but due to the stupidity of the owner. Constantly feeding your pet all sorts of treats and not wanting to go outside with him will not lead to anything good. In the worst case, heart problems may begin. Just like a person prone to obesity, a pug needs a proper diet and regular walks. A caring owner will never allow this deficiency to develop.

The folds of skin on the muzzle near the nose also require attention. They lie tightly. Because of this, a favorable environment is created between them for the proliferation of bacteria and the spread of infections. If these folds need to be treated at least once every two days with a special lotion and remove any dirt that has gotten there.

“All the beauty is in its ugliness,” this is how pug owners argue. And this is true, because a muzzle with original folds is a special beauty that other dogs do not possess.

So an attentive owner can turn some of the pug's shortcomings into piquant features of the breed.

Dogs' attitude towards children

In a situation where a child suddenly starts asking for a dog, a pug is an ideal option. He is very attached to all family members and is quite affectionate.

They are wonderful companions for both adults and children . Even a child can handle caring for a pug.

Daily grooming simply consists of combing the coat and wiping the folds on the body. Pugs are not aggressive at all, both towards people and animals.

When deciding to get a dog of this breed, the only exceptions are small children.

After all, children, through carelessness, can inadvertently damage a dog’s eyes. In addition, children periodically like to rush around the apartment, which a dog should not be allowed to do.

The animal may experience shortness of breath . In addition, in high temperatures it is better to avoid walking. Pugs do not tolerate heat very well.

Thus, by following all these tips, you can get great pleasure from communicating with the animal.

Cons of Pugs

But when making a decision in favor of adopting pugs, you need to take into account the disadvantages of this breed.

Gullibility

The negative point here is that a dog of this breed can easily get lost or be taken away by random people. Pugs are very self-centered, so they can easily become jealous of new family members if you start paying little attention to them. Pugs are very stubborn creatures, so you can only teach them a simple standard set of commands. When choosing a pug, you need to pay attention to its color, since it affects its character:

• Dogs with a beige color show too little activity and emotionality;
• black representatives of this breed can cause owners a lot of problems due to their restlessness.

Allergy to wool

Regardless of the length of the wool, it will have to be processed in any case. During shedding , fur comes off pugs in large quantities , as every owner can verify by finding pieces of soft undercoat on carpets and woven surfaces. People with allergies should think carefully about bringing a pug into their home.

Skin folds

According to reviews, pugs can cause difficulties for the owner due to the presence of skin folds , which are pronounced above the nose. If they are poorly treated, bacteria and fungal infections may appear there. In addition, this is an excellent place where small particles of food and eye discharge can accumulate. Although this is not a reason to panic. It is enough to apply lotion to this area every two days, and also treat it with Vaseline once a week, and you can avoid the occurrence of the disease.

Teeth

Dogs of this breed have a small jaw, in which the teeth are located quite closely. This creates excellent conditions for food to accumulate near the gums and in the interdental space. Therefore, you will have to regularly brush your pet's teeth , otherwise after a while the gums will become sore, and an unpleasant odor will begin to emanate from the mouth.

Content Features

If we talk about the peculiarities of keeping pugs, then it should immediately be noted that these animals are not suitable for long walks at too high or low temperatures.

For them, the respiratory system and eyes are fragile, since the latter are in no way protected from all kinds of injuries.

As noted above, these animals are very unpretentious in terms of nutrition, but it is important not to overfeed the animal so that obesity does not occur..

These short-haired dogs also do not require any special care. It’s just important not to forget to comb your friend during the molting period. And don't forget about regular eye exams at the veterinarian.

Daily routine and temperature tolerance

Also pay your attention to the fact that these dogs love routine and precise rules of the day.

If you don't like to live life according to plan, then a pug may not be your future companion.

Representatives of this breed like to maintain a clear daily routine: walks at certain times, brushing on certain days of the week, feeding by the hour, and so on.

In addition, these cute dogs can't stand the heat and, paradoxically, these fat guys can't swim.

It’s rare that a pug learns to plow the waters. So, if you plan to take your pet to the beach with you, do not forget to first go to the pet store and purchase a special life vest.

On top of that, pugs can snore . But this is not so critical, since it is more likely not snoring, but quiet snoring.

But are all these little flaws important when you consider how big of a heart this little dog has?

This dog will become a faithful friend and will delight you day after day, surprising you with its spontaneity and cheerfulness.

Living to please you is the main meaning of this dog’s life. What else could be better?

Animal health

If we talk about the most common health problems in pugs, we should highlight :

• Eyes. Pugs' eyelids can roll inward, requiring surgery to correct the problem. In addition, there is an impressive list of eye pathologies that are most often diagnosed in these animals. In addition to diseases, eye injury may occur, or the eyeballs may come out of their sockets.
• Due to the anatomical features of the structure of the muzzle, pugs may experience various problems with difficulty breathing or overheating in hot weather.
• The folds on the animal's face require daily cleaning. Otherwise, bacteria may arise and multiply and the dog may become infected.
• Invagination can occur in male pugs, which can be fatal. In this case, the animal may experience vomiting and diarrhea, and in some cases, constipation. The most pronounced symptom of this condition is the appearance of blood in the stool.
• Pugs may develop neurological problems, such as the development of cerebral encephalitis, which leads to seizures.

In addition to those listed above, there are a number of other health problems in dogs of this breed.

Briefly about the breed

Pugs have become popular because of their unusual appearance. This breed is characterized by a small, down-to-earth body set on short legs, a wrinkled but sweet muzzle, in which large, black, shiny eyes are hidden.

Coal eyes give the dog such an unhappy look that you want to protect and caress it. Pugs come in two colors: beige or black. The beige color is more common due to the high cost of sulfur-colored dogs. Both black and beige pugs are cute and good-natured pets.

Dog food

So, in the nutrition of these dogs it is important to adhere to the following principles:

• To begin with, the food your dog consumes should be at room temperature. Consumption of cold or hot food is not allowed, as this can cause problems with the digestive system.
• Liquid food is not an acceptable nutritional option.
• Pugs should always have clean water in their bowl. In this case, it is recommended to feed the animal with filtered water.
• You shouldn’t salt your pug’s food the same way as people do. In this case, it is better not to salt the meat at all.

As for the list of prohibited products, this should include:

• pasta and vermicelli;
• semolina porridge is also unacceptable in a dog’s diet;
• to exclude the possibility of developing diabetes in a pug, it is better to give up potatoes;
• sweets and confectionery products are strictly prohibited for these four-legged friends;
• smoked meats, salted foods and semi-finished products are also excluded from the diet of these animals.

Dog appearance (standards)

Photo: https://pixabay.com/photos/pug-meadow-dog-2035675/

Dimensions

An adult animal is small in size: its height ranges from 28-32 cm, and its weight starts from 6 kg and does not exceed 8 kg.

Wool

Pugs have very short fur, shiny and soft to the touch.

Dogs shed a lot.

If you neglect the combing procedure, then light and thin hairs will not only be on all objects and things, they will even fly in the air.

Colors

The most common colors are:

• apricot;
• pale yellow;
• silver;
• black.

Light-colored breeds have a darker mask on their face.

The black pug is considered quite rare. Its targeted breeding began recently. 1886 was a turning point for dogs with black color, because until that time they were considered a breeding marriage and were destroyed.

Head

Representatives of the breed have a large, rounded head with a short muzzle. The specific respiratory system and small nose lead to the fact that the dog often snores in his sleep.

If the owner sleeps very lightly and is irritated by extraneous sounds, it is better to refuse to buy a pug.

Teeth and jaws

The teeth are strong and white, not small, even. Representatives of the breed are characterized by a slight underbite - a bulldog bite.

Eyes

The round eyes are large, set quite wide and slightly protruding. They have a dark color.

Body and limbs

The pug dog has a square, strongly built body with a straight back and a wide chest.

Limbs are strong, widely set, not very short.

Tail

The tail, set high, lies close to the back and is wrapped in one or two rings.

Rock defects

Defects include:

• straight bite;
• lack of a large number of teeth;
• protruding tongue;
• elongated muzzle;
• distortion of the lower jaw;
• poorly defined mask;
• long or fluffy hair;
• gentle, saber-shaped tail;
• male cryptorchidism;
• weight more than 8.5 kg;
• height less than 25 cm or more than 32 cm;
• cowardice;
• aggressiveness.

Any deviation from the norms recognized by the standard is considered a defect.

How to choose a puppy?

When choosing a pug puppy, it is important to pay attention to the following details:

• First of all, you should familiarize yourself with the pet's pedigree. And here more attention should be paid to the mother, since it is from her that the baby receives from 60 to 80% of his qualities.
• When choosing a puppy, preference should be given to a baby who is at least 2 months old. By this time, the baby becomes more independent and is already receiving the first injections of vaccinations.
• The appearance of the animal is no less important. The puppy should have clean ears, eyes, nose and skin. At the same time, the puppy must be sufficiently well-fed.
• When choosing a future family friend, attention should also be paid to the behavior of the animal.

Guided by all these rules, you can make the most correct choice.

Physical activity

At first glance, pug dogs may seem slow and clumsy, but this is not entirely true; at times, especially at a young age, they can be quite active, but they still get tired quickly. These cute creatures do not really like an active lifestyle; most often they are calm, intelligent homebodies.

Important! Pugs only need two short walks a day to fully satisfy their need for movement. Therefore, if you like an active lifestyle: long walks, jogging, then this breed is not for you.

The fact is that pugs have a weak heart and heavy physical activity can do a lot of harm.

Such dogs are perfect for calm and quiet people and will be the perfect owner-dog combination . If at a young age pugs are still active, especially at home, happily running around with their toys, then in adulthood they prefer a passive lifestyle and mostly lie on the owner’s sofa. It is very difficult to wean them from this manner, and in your absence they will still secretly lie on your pillow.

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Need for communication

Communication is very important for pug dogs. They love their owner and family members very much, and they also don’t mind company when guests come to the house. Like all dogs, at first they may show distrust of new people, but after five minutes they accept them as their own and allow themselves to be stroked and squeezed.

Important! There are practically no aggressive pugs; anger and aggression are considered a serious drawback for this breed.

These are very affectionate and sociable dogs. They get along well with children, and if there are other animals, then pugs will also make friends with them.

These cute dogs are very devoted to their owner and will always be by their side . Pug dogs endure separation hard and there is no limit to their joy when they see their owner even after a short separation. In order not to part with their beloved owner, pugs love to sleep with him in his arms. These dogs need not so much physical activity as positive emotions, and they receive them fully from communication with family members. Pugs also treat guests well. Of course, at the first meeting they may bark, but only out of joy.

This is interesting! Despite the fact that pug dogs are decorative, they have great intelligence and are highly trainable. At the same time, you cannot shout at them, much less beat them; they will understand everything perfectly if you show patience.

Some pugs, despite their modest size, become excellent watchdogs. After all, these dogs have a sensitive sense of smell and good hearing, and most importantly, they bark loudly, thus they warn the owner that a stranger has approached the apartment.

There are two polar opinions about pugs: some say that they are cheerful and cheerful dogs, others, on the contrary, that they are a little gloomy and gloomy. However, everyone agrees on one thing: these are very loyal creatures who will give you all their love and devotion.

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