Pug Dogs : A Look Behinde The Wrinkled Face

Though their exact origin is unclear Pugs are thought to be one of the oldest breeds of dogs. They are said to be an Asian breed; many say they descend from the Pekingese. Others say they come from some sort of small Bulldog cross or perhaps, they are a miniature version of a French Mastiff. These little dogs were the companions of Tibetan Monks as well as royal pets of Japan, China, and Europe. Despite the uncertain origin of this toy breed one thing is sure, they are wonderful companions.

Pugs are small compact square dogs that are stocky and thickset; standing between 12-14 inches high and weighing in at 13-20 pounds. They may look like a solid mass of fat but they are actually well muscled little dogs. They have a large round head with a short square blunt muzzle and a wrinkled face. The name Pug is derived from their face being monkey like or “pug faced.” They have a slight undershot bite. Moles are not considered ugly in this breed on the contrary; they are actually considered beauty marks. They have large protruding dark eyes. Their ears can either be rose or button shaped, the latter being preferred by most breeders. Their tail is set high and curls over the back, a double curl is favored. The legs are straight and powerful and well set under the dog. Their soft fine coats come in four color patterns: apricot, fawn, silver and black. Apricot, fawn and silver pugs have a black mask; sometimes with the silver Pugs the mask may not be clearly defined. Their coats tend to shed year round.

Pugs are neither too hyper not too lethargic, they fall somewhere in between. They are a friendly, loving, and loyal companion. They are rarely ever aggressive. They can be rambunctious, lively and fun to watch when they are in the mood to play. They tend to have a clown like nature and will keep you smiling. They do well with children and make excellent playmates for them; they are tolerant and stout enough to handle their play. They can also be quite docile and easy going; it’s almost as if they take on the mood of their owner. They are bright, curious, and intelligent and can bore easily if training is not kept interesting. If not given a pack leader these dogs can become a bit willful and stubborn. They are sensitive to the tone of your voice so harsh punishment is not needed with this breed. They are loyal and faithful to their family and make wonderful watch dogs, while they will alert you to danger they are not a yappy dog.

Pugs make excellent apartment dogs however; they are sensitive to hot and cold weather so be aware of the temperature when taking them outside to exercise. In hot weather they can over exert themselves and have a heat stroke so make sure you don’t let them push themselves and give them plenty of water to drink. In cold weather they may require a dog sweater or coat when going outside. Their large eyes are prone to injury and the wrinkles in their face need to be cleaned daily and kept dry. Because they are brachycephalic dogs (meaning they have short noses) they can have breathing problems and also tend to snore and snort a lot. The coat is easy to maintain by combing and brushing, bathing only when needed. If given the chance pugs will eat more than they need so monitor food intake so they do not become obese. These little dogs live on average 12-15 years.