About Pugs

History
Pugs were first bred thousands of years ago in China to be the lap dogs of Chinese royalty. Over the years, pugs have perfected the art of lap-sitting and know exactly how to push the buttons of their humans. Contrary to popular opinion, pugs are very smart dogs, albeit a tad bit stubborn at times.

General Characteristics
Pugs come in two colors: fawn and black. Pugs are very people-oriented dogs, and will not do well being left at home by themselves for long periods. If you work, it is best to hire a dog walker during the day to give your pug some human interaction and TLC. Many one-pug families have discovered that pugs are like potato chips — you can't have just one! Multiple pugs can keep each other company during the day.

Health Issues
People lucky enough to be owned by a pug must be aware of several key factors in keeping their pug happy and healthy. First and foremost, pugs are indoor dogs. They do poorly in both cold and hot weather, particularly hot weather. Because pugs are a brachycephalic (pushed in face) breed, they may have a severe sensitivity to the heat. All pugs vary, but be aware that some pugs find it difficult to walk in 70 degree heat for even 10 minutes. Therefore, the potential pug owner must know that they should keep their pug inside on hot days. If you are looking for a dog to go on long walks with you, you are probably looking at the wrong breed.

Pugs like, no, LOVE to eat. A pug is blessed with a remarkable sense of smell and hearing, which enables him to hear a refrigerator or a package of cookies being opened from a distance. Do not let him eat everything he wants, no matter how pathetically your pug looks at you with those big sad eyes. Overweight pugs are even more susceptible to heat and can develop serious medical problems. Your vet will help you decide the proper weight for your pug.

Speaking of medical conditions, like any breed, pugs have various conditions or diseases to which they are susceptible. For more information, contact your vet or visit the Health Concerns section of pugs.com.

Special Considerations
They may be small and they may have short hair, but pugs shed — a lot. A good slicker brush or shedding blade will be your best friend should you decide to adopt a pug. Pugs also snore and snort, so be prepared to have the remote handy to turn up the volume of your TV set if you sit down to watch a show with your pug at night.

Pugs are so friendly that they would give a burglar the key to your safe. A pug will hop in a car with a stranger. If she can't find her own people, a pug will go on a neighborhood hunt to find somebody — anybody — who will pet her and love her in the manner to which she is accustomed. Therefore, it is very important that the pug owner have a fenced yard and keep a watchful eye on their pug at all times.

Multum in Parvo
The pug's motto is multum in parvo, which is Latin for "a lot of dog in a small space." Pugs are delightful and loving little dogs, but they are not for everyone. Please research several dog breeds before deciding which dog is right for you. An excellent book to help you in your decision making is The Right Dog for You by Daniel F. Tortora, PhD or go to the Dog Breed Selector on the Animal Planet web site.

Seattle Pug Rescue is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.