Mention the name pug and people who knows a lot about dog breeds are bound to describe it with the phrase “multum in parvo” which means “much in little”. True enough, there is so much more to the small package than what meets the eye. Despite its compactness, the pug has a big personality.
What Meets the Eye
How would you describe a pug physically? It is easy to recognize a pug with its dark, short-muzzled face; glossy, wrinkly skin; soft, flapped ears; and a curled tail. It has a large head and a square, stocky body carried by four, pudgy but sturdy legs.
The average weight can range from 14 to 18 pounds. Males are generally larger than the females in terms of height. They can grow anywhere from 10 to 14 inches tall. On the other hand, females typically grow from 10 to 12 inches tall.
Fawn and black are the most common coat coloring for pugs, but some pugs may have apricot fawn or silver fawn coats. A pug with a fawn-colored coat would have a black mask on the face and dark ears.
The breed originated in China, but was introduced in Europe by the 16th century. They are a favored breed in the House of Orange of the Netherlands, and the House of Stuart. It was officially recognized by the AKC in 1885, and listed under the Toy Group. Today, they are one of the most popular breeds in many countries across the globe.
Multum in Parvo
Pugs generally have a fun, friendly, loving temperament which makes them ideal as companion or family dogs. They are very smart dogs, and are also great with children. However, as mentioned at the onset of this article, pugs have a strong personality and can be stubborn if not trained. This is why it is so important for the human to clearly show the dog who’s the boss. Calm, loving, and consistent training is important when you’re caring for a pug – or any dog on that matter.
They love to eat and would definitely eat more than they should when more food is available. Hence, pug owners must avoid overfeeding their pets to prevent obesity and other health risks. They also need regular exercise – daily walks and playtime in order to be healthy and happy. The pug is playful when it has someone to play with, but it doesn’t mind being lazy and enjoying some quiet time in a corner. It likes to follow its owner wherever he or she goes around the house, and are thus called “shadows”.
Grooming Your Pug
Grooming is a very important role when you have a pug. The face, especially the corners of the eye needs to be wiped with a clean, wash cloth daily since they are prone to weeping, eye infections, and cherry eye.
Although they have short, smooth coats, pug are actually heavy shredders so you may find pug hair stuck in your clothes, furniture, curtains, and everywhere. The coat should be brushed after each bath, and everyday to remove loose hairs. The creases on the face and the folds between the skin must be regularly cleaned as well. A pet hair removal tool is definitely recommended when you have a pug!
Should You Get a Pug?
The pug is a remarkable breed but it is not for everyone. Before you decide that you want a pug in your life, get to know as much as you can about the breed – what they need, what kind of temperament they have, how to best care for them. If you feel that your personality and lifestyle jives, then why not welcome a pug to your home? And don’t forget to consider adoption as your first option.
What’s it like to be living with a pug? When you have a pug, it will surely grow on you! Without a doubt, these wrinkly, bundles of joy were born to make their people happy!
If you’re thinking about getting a Pug, seriously consider if this dog breed is right for you. Don’t support puppy mills or buy from pet stores. Adopt a dog from a shelter or animal rescue center.
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