Overview: The pug is widely known as the clown of dog breeds, as it has an uncanny ability to amuse its owner with quirks and tricks. Once a pug sees you laugh at something he or she does, it will try to replicate the behavior to keep you in stitches! The pug breed has short legs with a thick body and big, expressive eyes which make their appearance quite comical itself. Pugs are known as “velcro dogs” as they love to be near their owners, most time preferring to be making actual physical contact whenever possible.

Pugs generally range from fourteen to twenty pounds, and range  from ten to eleven inches tall. These traits make the pug a small yet sturdy dog that can fit into a variety of family situations.

Exercise Requirements: Like all puppies, the pug breed is rather rambunctious during their puppyhood, but calm down as they mature. Adult pugs do not have heavy exercise needs, and often prefer to snooze on the couch rather than engage in vigorous exercise. In fact, you should avoid especially intense exercise with your pug, as their short noses can make it difficult for them to regulate their body temperature. Of course, like all dogs, pugs enjoy the outdoors and can and should be given a daily walk. However, this breed is certainly not suited as a running companion or a suitable candidate for high intensity dog sports.

Shedding: Don’t be fooled by the pug breeds short coat, as these little guys are actually quite heavy shedders. In fact, the pug sheds year round, so when living with a pug you shouldn’t be surprised to find hairs on every piece of furniture and rug you own. If you want to own a pug, you should invest in a heavy duty vacuum – and be prepared to use it. Daily brushing can help to keep your pugs shedding down. Also, pug owners should ensure to regularly clean their dog’s facial wrinkles and crevices to avoid the skin issues that the breed is prone to.

Training: While pugs are known for being on the stubborn side, they do quite well with obedience training when positive reinforcement techniques are used. They are quite capable of learning all of the basic commands and more, given that the handler demonstrates patience and consistency while training.

Health Concerns: Like many small dog breeds, the pug breed is long lived, often enjoying lifespans of over twelve years. Unfortunately, the pug is prone to many health issues, many of which can be prevented by purchasing your pug from a reputable breeder that engages in health testing of the breeding parents. Some health issues that pugs appear to be especially prone to are PDE (a pug specific condition which affects the brain and causes seizures), progressive retinal atrophy, elongated soft palate, and luxating patella. Pugs are also prone to liver problems, and injuries to the eyes due to their protruding nature. Furthermore, it is important that the pug breed be kept cool in hot weather, as their short noses makes it difficult for them to correctly regulate their temperatures.

Important Note About The Pug Breed: One thing that you may want to keep in mind before making the decision to purchase a pug, is that they tend to make a bevvy of noises, such as snorting and snoring. While many find these noises quite endearing, those that are light sleepers or noise sensitive may want to consider these traits before choosing the pug breed.