Dog Breed

Pug

Long-livedCouch PotatoFits in your backpack
Primary image of Pug dog breed
Full Name
Pug
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Life Span
12 - 14 years
Weight
14 - 18 pounds
Description

Everyone knows about Pugs. It's hard not to love them. Pugs were originally bred to be lapdogs and true lapdogs they are. Being bred for companionship, they are used to being surrounded by people and other dogs and they don't appreciate being left alone, which is something that everyone should put into consideration.

Even though they were bred as lapdogs, Pugs are one of the oldest canine breeds in the world as it is thought that they originated from China around 700 BC. They were so precious to The Emperors of China that they had their own servants and special rooms in royal palaces! So it is no wonder why they can sometimes be stubborn and lazy. On the other hand, in true small dog fashion, they can be overly confident as well. They are goofy, friendly with children, and a great dog for first time owners. Although they are not a good fit for anyone who is looking for an exercise partner, as they can oftentimes have trouble breathing, and they do not have the best stamina.

Origin
China
Bred For
Lapdog
Attachments
    Family Considerations
    Child Friendly

    Is the Pug good with children?

    Yes! The Pug is naturally friendly with children. As always, socialization is always important, but the Pug is an excellent dog for anyone with small children.
    Stranger Friendly

    Is the Pug friendly with strangers?

    Yes, the Pug is very friendly with strangers. We still recommend early socialization while the Pug is a puppy to introduce them to various new people, but in general they are friendly with everyone.
    Dog Friendly

    Is the Pug friendly with other dogs?

    Yes, the Pug is very friendly with other dogs. We still recommend early socialization while the Pug is a puppy to introduce them to various new dogs, but in general they are friendly with dogs as soon as they meet them.
    Likes to Cuddle

    Does the Pug like to cuddle?

    The Pug loves physical affection and cuddles. If you're looking for a cuddle partner you may have found the one!
    Playfulness

    Does the Pug like to play?

    The Pug will almost always be ready for play! The Pug is great for a family with children, or otherwise, an environment that is always ready for play.
    Service Dog Ability

    Does the Pug make a good service dog?

    The Pug would not be a great fit as a service dog for several reasons.
    Overall Ease of Breed
    Ease for Novice

    Is the Pug good for first-time owners?

    The Pug is a good breed for first-time owners. A good fit for first-time owners are friendly breeds that are motivated to please their owner. This means they can be trained, and are rarely aggressive and overpowering.
    Training Potential

    How well can the Pug be trained?

    The Pug does not have high levels of training potential. There are exceptions, but the Pug is not typically seen in competitions or as a service dog or police dog.
    Amount of Shedding

    Does the Pug shed a lot?

    The Pug is an average shedder. Pug owners will probably still tell you it's a lot of shedding, but certain breeds shed even more.
    Ease of Grooming

    Is the Pug easy to groom?

    The Pug requires some grooming, but less than the average dog breed. Typically you will not need to take the Pug to the pet salon, and occasional combing at home should be enough.
    Exercise Need

    Does the Pug need a lot of exercise?

    The Pug is a bit of a couch potato and although some exercise is still healthy, they need very little exercise relative to other dog breeds.
    Personality
    Intelligence

    How smart is the Pug?

    The Pug is a bit goofy and may not be as intelligent as some other breeds, but that is what people oftentimes love about the Pug!
    Amount of Barking

    How much does the Pug bark? Does the Pug bark too much?

    The Pug occasionally barks, but only for specific reasons such as when they need something, for protection, etc.
    Guard Dog Ability

    Is the Pug a good guard dog?

    The Pug is the opposite of a guard dog!
    Tolerates Being Alone

    Is the Pug good at staying alone? Is the Pug independent?

    The Pug is not very independent and does not do great when left behind for longer than a couple of hours. This is one of the most important things to consider when getting a new dog.
    Home and Environment Considerations
    Good for Apartment Living

    Is the Pug a good apartment dog?

    The Pug is an excellent dog breed for an apartment. Some daily exercise is still important, but if they get that then the apartment will be more than enough for them to call home.
    Size

    How big is the Pug?

    The Pug is one of the smallest dog breeds- suited well for apartment living and very convenient for travel.
    Tolerates Heat

    How much does the Pug tolerate hot weather? When is it too hot for a Pug?

    The Pug does not tolerate hot weather very well, and we would not recommend having a Pug if you live in a very hot weather climate. At the minimum, they would need a home with air conditioning.
    Tolerates Cold

    How much does the Pug tolerate cold weather? When is it too cold for a Pug?

    The Pug does not tolerate cold weather very well, and we would not recommend having a Pug if you live in a very cold weather climate. Even if your home is warm, it can be inconvenient to go on walks, and you may need to have a sweater for your Pug.
    Potential to Run Away

    Does the Pug try to run away?

    The Pug is very unlikely to run away. Of course, precautions should always be taken, and every dog is unique, but with a Pug it is very likely they will naturally follow you, even when they are off-leash.
    Physical Characteristics
    General Health

    Is the Pug a healthy dog? The health of a Pug should be measured not just by how many years they live, but also by how many health issues they've had. It is important to know which health conditions your breed is prone to- hip problems, eye problems, bloating, and arthritis are all common dog health problems.

    The Pug has many health problems that should be considered. The Pug can still live a perfectly healthy life, but it's important to consider all of these health risks ahead of time.
    Energy Level

    How energetic is the Pug?

    The Pug has some energy and requires daily walks, but overall the Pug has less energy than average.
    Amount of Drooling

    How much does the Pug drool?

    The Pug drools an average amount- typically only after heavy exercise or if you are eating their favorite human food in front of them.
    Prey Drive

    Does the Pug have a large prey drive? Does the Pug like to chase birds, cats, and other small animals?

    The Pug does not have a large prey drive towards birds or even cats, and can typically do very well living in the same home as them.
    Athleticism

    Is the Pug atheltic?

    The Pug may not be the fastest or strongest out of all the dog breeds, but that is not always a bad thing. In fact, for most modern homes, this can be convenient as the Pug can be less demanding when it comes to exercise needs.
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  • Secondary image of Pug dog breed
  • Secondary image of Pug dog breed
  • Secondary image of Pug dog breed

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Breed Variations

  • Image for the Black variation for dog breed

    Black

  • Image for the Fawn variation for dog breed

    Fawn

  • Image for the Gray variation for dog breed

    Gray

  • Image for the Brindle variation for dog breed

    Brindle

  1. Toy
  2. Small Molossian
  3. Pug
The Pug is a purebred dog that belongs to the Small Molossian sub group, which falls under the larger Toy dog breed group.
Toy group: Toy dogs are primarily characterized by their very small size. But don't let that fool you- if anything their personality and tenacity is higher than the average dog. In fact, even their protective instincts are above average! In fact, because of that it is crucial they get socialization with children and other dogs from an early age. Perhaps out of all dog groups, the toy dog group is the most difficult to put sub-groups into, since the sub groups also include larger dogs, and fall under other groupings. For example, the Pomeranian is a Toy Spitz dog, but there are also large Spitz dogs such as the Samoyed. Because the toy dog is both small and primarily bred for home companionship, they make excellent additions for a wide range of families. There are also practical benefits with toy dogs- they are great for apartment living, and traveling. Toy dogs are also loyal and love to cuddle, making them the ideal lap dog.
Small Molossian sub-group: The small molossian type of dog is the category for French Bulldogs and Pugs. They have health problems, do not tolerate hot or cold weather very much, and do not score the highest on the intelligence rankings... and yet, they are right at the top for the most popular dog breeds, so what is it? First of all, small molossian type dogs are unique- they have the build and personality of a giant dog but in the body of a small dog. This results in a hilarious personality that is always fun to have around. They are very friendly, like to cuddle, and are an excellent dog for a first time owner. Because of their size and medium to low energy level they make the perfect dog for apartment living.

Pugs for adoption

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