PUG
APPEARANCE
The Pug is a sturdy, compact, squarely proportioned breed endowed with a soft, smooth coat, furry ears, and a dark muzzle. It has a somewhat undershot bite, a tightly curled tail, a unique rolling pace, and dark, emotive eyes. The coat of the Pug is short, close fitting, and sleek, and the coloring includes silver, black, or apricot-fawn, with black markings on the face and ears. These dogs have protruding eyes, and this is something that needs to be considered if you have young children that are boisterous, as they can easily be injured. The Pug weighs in at 14-20 pounds, and is around 10-11 inches in height.
PERSONALITY
The Pug is a good natured, sociable creature that likes to play and have fun, but is not an overly active dog. These dogs are more inclined to snuggle up and have a nap than to frolic around, although some can be very entertaining to be around. A loving, affectionate, yet not overly demanding dog, the Pug is well suited to those with no experience of dog ownership as well as the more experienced.
TRAINING
The highly intelligent Pug gets easily uninterested with routine exercise and training. It carries a laid-back attitude, though requires a good amount of attention from its handler, otherwise it gets jealous. The Pug is not the ideal choice for a guard dog or watchdog, as he is small, a little too sociable to be daunting, and prefers to communicate through grunting rather than barking. His table temperament and friendly nature makes the Pug a good family pet.
EXERCISE
Regular exercise and occasional vigorous games will keep this breed mentally and physically healthy. It will also enjoy short walks in temperate weather. However, its wheezing should be taken as a signal to discontinue exercise and give it a break.
SOCIALIZATION
These dogs get along well with children and other animals, although jealousy can strike if another pet gets more attention than them. They will also get along well with strangers. They love their creature comforts, and enjoy the affection and attention of their owners. These charming dogs do have a tendency to look grouchy because of their wrinkly faces and short snouts, but most are anything but.
GROOMING
The Pug’s facial wrinkles should be cleaned and dried down on a daily basis. Occasional brushing of the coat will do to remove dead hair. Also, the Pug needs to be thoroughly dried after a bath to avoid chills. This is a year round shedder, and is not well suited to those with allergies or those who don’t like finding hair all over the house.
HEALTH ISSUES
The life expectancy of the Pug is around 12-13 years. There are a number of health problems to look out for with this breed, including cataracts, entropion, liver problems, epilepsy, sensitivity to drugs and chemicals, PRA, Less-Perthes, and encephalitis. His eyes are prone to injury or infection because of their prominence. He is also heat sensitive because of his short muzzle and short coat, and should not be left out in the sun or in stuffy conditions.
HISTORY
The Pug originates from China, and were once a firm favorite of Tibetan monks. The breed enjoys a long history in terms of ancestry, and in the sixteenth century was introduced in Holland by Prince William of Orange. The breed was registered with the AKC in 1885.
your dog`s daily magazine » DOGS IN HOT WEATHER on July 27th, 2009
[...] with more typical nose and head structure. Brachycephalic dogs include: Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, Pugs, Pekingese, and Boston Terriers amongst [...]