My Friendly Pets

The Pug - you always hear…”they are sooooo cute” until they hear the dog snort and then it’s “oh my!!!” or “look at those eyes”. This is an extremely interesting breed that originates from China. The Pug was one of three main breeds of short nosed dogs that were bred by the Chinese. The “Foo-dog” also known as the Lo-sze was the ancient pug. The Pug was introduced to European culture first in Holland, brought back from the orient by Dutch traders. They were recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1885 and have been an endearing breed in the U.S. since then, gaining more popularity in recent years.

Physically, they are known for their compact form, deep chest and well developed muscles. Their heads are large and round and compliment their bulging dark eyes. Their coats can be apricot, fawn, silver or black. Even though they appear short haired, most shed year round.

Pugs are known for their humorous and fun loving personality. They were bred as companions rather than work dogs, so their sole priority is to be entertaining and charming. And they do it so well. They have been raised with humans and prefer their company although they do get along well with other animals.

The two main health concerns of Pugs are their tendency towards obesity and their breathing difficulties due to the skeletal structure of their face. These dogs are bred as indoor pets and should not be subject to temperatures over 80 degrees as that further worsens the breathing difficuties. Due to their relative inactivity and their true love of food, as mentioned, obesity can be a serious problem. It is important to monitor the food intake of this breed and encourage indoor exercise or short walks on days where the weather permits and is condusive to the good health of the Pug. Also, because of the elongated palate in the Pug, the dog may begin to gasp and snort because debris or fluids are getting caught under the palate and irritate the throat of the dog. The wrinkles and creases in this breed have to be kept clean and dry to prevent sores and infection.

For a long time, my daughter wanted a Pug and it still might be a wish for her. Of the people that I know that have them, they are truly their “babies” and they love them dearly. If it is a cute, engaging, bright, and hilarious dog you are looking for that will keep you company in your home (good apartment dog), a Pug, might just be the breed you’re looking for.