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Pugs make wonderful pets - but as with any pet you need to make sure you suit each other.
The following points are things you may wish to consider before purchasing a pug:
- Life with a Pug is never dull.
- Owning a Pug is not just owning a dog; they become an integral part of your life.
- Pugs don't drool, however, they do snore and snort. They like to snort in your face.
- The majority of pugs are extremely poor swimmers - so if your pool or deep garden pond is not securely fenced, please reconsider making a pug part of your family.
- They make wonderful companions around the house, garden and going for leisurely strolls (sometimes long distances in cool weather), however, they do not make good jogging partners or good walking companions in the heat.
- Pugs are great with children, and seem to have a special affinity with the aged and the disabled.
- Many people become immediate victims to pug manipulation .... please ensure you have plenty of time to entertain them and ignore the looks they give you implying they are dying of starvation. Some pugs are greedy and will eat until obese. Obese pugs are a sad sight, and their life span is greatly affected.
- Consider the amount of time you will be able to commit to the pug - you may wish to consider getting another to keep each other company.
- Pugs are not usually destructive and are generally well behaved in gardens - although plants may get sat or trodden on if they are in the way.
- They shed hair - some more than others, so plan to colour coordinate your sofa, your car interior and your wardrobe with your pug ..... and you think I'm joking ….
- Pugs do not have a good sense of direction, and make poor road warriors - and should be kept in a very secure yard in case of escapes, deliberate theft or if someone just leaves the gate open or not latched correctly. Pugs are a fairly popular breed - so don't expect your pug to be returned to you if he gets out. Having your pug microchipped and wearing a collar and ID at all times will help.
- Pugs are generally social creatures and get along well with other dogs, and other animals.
- Pugs can require high maintenance in that they need to be groomed to minimise shedding indoors or the car and they have an inflated sense of their own worth and need to be the centre of attention.
- They are somewhat willful and stubborn when it suits them - they may appear stupid at times, but beware they are usually planning something clever like world domination or perhaps more likely something associated with food or snoozing in comfy places. Some people have success in obedience training.
- Pugs do have a couple of health risks in that their nose roll needs to be kept clean, and they do not tolerate hot and humid weather well. Their flat faces make them more susceptible to eye injuries - so be careful of cats, when playing with other dogs, flying grit or sand, and low branches and grasses when out walking. Be aware that any eye injury usually will require urgent veterinary attention, injuries may ulcerate and then require expensive specialist veterinary attention.
- Pugs are known to have a number of inherited diseases - some having more significance to the pug and your bank balance than others eg slipping patellas, pug dog encephalitis, cataracts, pigmentary keratitis, dystachia, demodectic mange. You should be aware that these problems can crop up in pugs although most reputable breeders screen for these problems and do not breed from affected or related pugs.
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