Pug

Known for their wrinkly faces and curly tails, Pugs were originally bred as lap dogs for Chinese emperors thousands of years ago. They are now the 13th most popular breed in the United States.

Personality

Loving and socialable
Playful, boisterous and enthusiastic
Stubborn
Clever and charming
May become anxious without enough human attention
Not yappy, but will alert you to strangers

Size

13-20 pounds
10-14 inches at the withers (shoulder)

Lifestyle

Get along well with children and other pets
Suited to apartment living
Not suited to extreme heat or cold
Not suited to humid conditions due to their short muzzles, which may cause breathing difficulties

Training

Easy to train since they like to please their pet parents
Can get bored with repetitve training

Exercise

Can do without a yard
Inactive indoors
Need regular exercise, but avoid it being too vigorous, as they may start to wheeze
Enjoy playing games

Coat

Short, soft, smooth and glossy
Colors are silver, apricot, fawn and black, with black markings on the muzzle, ears, forehead, etc.
Year-round shedding can be heavy
Fawn Pugs shed the most

Care

Regular grooming will help deal with excessive shedding
If “reverse sneezing” occurs, you may need to calm your Pug and help him swallow by rubbing his throat
Daily cleaning of facial folds is needed to prevent infection and dermatitis
Keep them in well-ventilated areas, as they can overheat
Keep them protected from extreme cold
They will eat a lot if allowed, so avoid over-feeding

Health

Prone to eye injuries and breathing problems
May also suffer from inflammation of the brain (PDE), hemivertebrae and birthing problems

Lifespan

12-14 years

Rescue

Visit Pug Rescue to find a rescue group near you

PHOTO: Ktreen

i Love Dogs, Inc.’s three websites – ilovedogs.com, ilovedogfriendly.com and findavet.us – provide information and up-to-the-minute news to keep pet parents aware of all things dog. A premium canine vitamins and lifestyle company, i Love Dogs is famous for its line of diamond dog collars. The name says it all — at i Love Dogs, we are committed to the health and happiness of our canine companions.