Judy Taylor
The pug is one of the very old dog breeds and was already known in Europe in the Middle Ages. Even today he is a popular family and companion dog. Despite its grumpy facial expression, the pug is a delicate, outgoing dog that clearly prefers human company to any animal, including that other dogs. He feels most comfortable when he is lying on his mistress’ lap or just sitting next to him on the sofa. The happy pug loves to be petted and cuddled, he likes to sleep long and long.
The Most Important About The Pug
However, he is not lazy but needs his daily walks and is always up for a game when asked. If he doesn’t get enough attention because his human is concentrating on something else, the pug can become jealous quite quickly. Being alone is difficult for him, but the puppy must be used to staying alone in familiar surroundings for at least an hour or two. Even a small dog cannot be present everywhere.
If the whole family is present, everything is fine for the pug. He likes to play with children, but they must not overwhelm him. His flat snout makes it difficult for him to breathe, and he quickly begins to pant and snort. The shortened respiratory organs are also the reason for his snoring during sleep.
A special preference for pugs is eating. Therefore, high-quality and balanced feed must be dosed precisely to avoid obesity. The weight of the treats should definitely be deducted from the daily ratio.
One looks in vain for the qualities of a guard dog in a pug. He is happy about every visit, whether loaded or not.
Although the pug tends to be a leisurely, often lazy dog, you can try to get them excited about sporting activities. Obstacle runs in agility, retrieving objects, or trick dogging, in which learning tricks is the main focus, are suitable. It is not suitable as a companion for bike tours or endurance runs.
Breed Characteristics Pug
The Pug is recognized by the FCI as a companion dog and is one of the small mastiff-like dogs.
His muscular body makes a stocky, almost square impression. The large, rounded head with the many wrinkles and the flat snout is striking, as well as the black nose with the large nostrils.
The dark, large eyes never protrude, and the whites of the eyes are not visible. The small, soft ears are worn as rose ears (folded backward at the side, auricle visible) or as button ears (the ear falls forward, the tip of the ear rests against the skull, auricle not visible).
The chest of the Pug is wide and arched, the back is straight. His tail curls up over his hips. A double curl is welcome. The Pug has powerful limbs that stand well under its body.
The soft, smooth, and short coat have the following colors: apricot, light fawn, silver, or black. The black eel line that runs over the entire back is striking.
Nature and Character of the Pug
The Pug is a balanced and easy-going dog with a lively character. He shows no fear, he does not normally show aggression. His grumpy facial expression is deceptive because pugs impress with their charm, their cheerfulness, and, above all, their humor. His funny grimaces provide fun every day. In addition, he constantly wants to please his master and impress him. Nevertheless, a pug can also be very stubborn and stubborn if he doesn’t like something. In such a state of mind, the pug ignores every command. Early and consistent training is clearly an advantage here.
The small and adaptable dog is an uncomplicated companion who can also get along in a city apartment if he gets enough exercise every day. Due to his difficulty breathing, care must be taken not to overexert him. Being very social, he gets along well with other pets.
Actually, the pug is exactly the right dog for sprightly seniors who go for a walk every day. With him, there is no boredom. He is affectionate, seeks physical contact, and needs a lot of love. If you know your pug well, you know exactly what the little guy wants to say with his many sounds. He can purr like a cat, grunt like a piglet, or coo like a dove.
The Pug and Its Care
Anyone who owns a pug needs to plan some time every day for grooming. The short coat is relatively easy to care for, regular brushing is quite sufficient. Facial care is more complex. The many wrinkles on the pug’s face should be cleaned daily with a damp cloth to prevent inflammation from dirt residues or friction. If necessary, some care cream can also be applied.
The ears also require frequent checking. In addition to dirt, parasites can nest and cause itching and inflammation. Dirt is also removed here with a damp cloth, and there is a special ear cleaner for hard incrustations. The parasitic infestation will be treated accordingly by the veterinarian.
The pug’s eyes and nose are extremely sensitive. Irritation and inflammation are not uncommon. Meticulous cleanliness is the top priority here.
It goes without saying that the paws are cleaned after the walk and, especially in winter, are kept supple with a fat cream and thus protected from road salt.
