The pug is a very special dog. The official motto of the breed could be the famous “multum in parvo” (in Latin, “much in little”) and it is that it is a large dog enclosed in a very small body.

It is a breed that loves to live in company constantly, since they are very playful. In fact, many of them if they spend time alone, they tend to develop separation anxiety. That is why it is not advisable to adopt them if you are a family with very young children or who does not spend time at home, since they may not be given the attention they need.

Keep reading because in this article we will talk about everything you need to know about the pug breed.

Origin of the pug

Like many other dog breeds, the origin of the pug is uncertain and controversial. They are known to come from China, but it is still debated whether their relatives are closest to the large Molossian dogs or the Pekingese, and the like. What is known for sure is that centuries ago these dogs were, along with the Pekingese, the favorite animals in Tibetan monasteries.

Since its arrival in Europe and later America, the pug has been considered a charming companion dog and a worthy show dog. The Western fascination for this breed has reached the point where many pugs have been the protagonists of movies and television series.

Physical characteristics

The pug is a short, broad but compact dog. Despite being a small dog, the pug is a muscular animal. The upper line of his body is level and his chest is wide. Its head is large, round and without cracks in the skull. They are not apple-shaped, as in Chihuahuas, and their skin is wrinkled. Its muzzle is short and square. The pug’s eyes are dark, large, and globular. His expression is sweet and with a certain worried air.

The ears are thin and small, with a velvety texture. They can be presented in two varieties, on the one hand with the pink ears, small, hanging and folded back, and on the other, button ears, which are ears bent forward, pointing towards the eyes.

The tail is set high and rolled over the hips. In terms of size, these dogs are small and their height at the withers is usually between 25 and 28 centimeters. Their weight ranges from 6 to 8 kilograms, depending on their size and gender.

The hair of this dog is fine, smooth, soft, short and shiny. Its colors vary between silver, apricot, light fawn and black.

Pug personality

The pug has the typical temperament of a companion dog. They are loving, cheerful, and playful. They have a strong personality and like to attract attention, but they also have a stable character.

These dogs are easy to socialize and, properly socialized, tend to get along well with adults, children, other dogs, and other animals. However, while they are fun, they don’t hold up to intense play. Of course, to get along with strangers and other pets, it is important to socialize them from puppies.

In general, these dogs do not have behavioral problems, but they can develop separation anxiety with some ease. Pugs need constant company and can become destructive dogs when left alone for a long time. They also need to exercise and receive mental stimulation so as not to get bored.

The care of the pug

Caring for a pug’s coat does not require much time or effort, but it does need to be brushed once or twice a week to remove dead hair and dust. These dogs can lose a lot of hair, so it may be a good idea to brush them more frequently to keep furniture and clothing free of dog hair. Bathing should only be done when the dog is dirty, but the wrinkles on the face and muzzle should be wiped with a damp cloth and dried frequently to avoid skin infections.

Pugs are very playful dogs and need moderate, but not intense, exercise with daily walks and moderate playtime. Care must be taken not to impose very intense exercises on them, as their flattened muzzle and robust structure do not provide much resistance and make them susceptible to thermal shocks, especially in hot and humid climates.

On the other hand, these dogs need a lot of company and are not suitable for people who spend most of their time away from home. The pug demands constant companionship and attention and can develop destructive habits when left alone for long periods of time. They are dogs to live at home with the family and adapt very well to life in apartments in large cities.

Training and education

This breed of dog is easy to train when using positive training styles. It is common to hear traditional trainers say that pug dogs are stubborn and difficult to train dogs, but that is often the result of a poor choice of the dog’s training method, rather than a characteristic of the breed.

When positive training methods such as clicker training are used with success, excellent results can be achieved with these dogs.

How is the health of the pug?

Despite being a small dog, the pug tends to be healthy, excluding possible problems caused by its short muzzle. The breed does not present with canine diseases with exaggerated incidences, but they frequently present with brachycephalic syndrome, stenotic nostrils, patellar dislocation, avascular necrosis disease and entropion. Occasionally cases of epilepsy can also occur.

Due to their prominent eyes and flattened face, they are prone to eye injury. In addition, due to their robust structure, they tend to develop obesity, so you have to take good care of your diet and the amount of exercise you do daily.