Dog
Group:
Toy 
Pug Champions
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Pronunciation:
puhg
Breed Description:
The Pug breed of dog is small breed of dog that should be robust and very stocky. They are generally compact in their appearance and they should be square in shape with a body that is as long as it is tall. The head of the Pug should be round and the muzzle should be short and square with wrinkles around it. The ears, which are set high on the head, should be button shaped. The top line is level and the tail is usually curled over the back. The eyes of the Pug should be very big.
The coat of the Pug should be short and close to the skin. It should cover the dog completely and should consist of a short undercoat and a slightly longer topcoat. The hair should be smooth and there should be a slightly hard texture to it. The Pug can be found in either silver, fawn, apricot and black and all of the coat colors should have a black mask on the muzzle, ears, and around the eyes.
Temperament:
The Pug breed of dog can only be summed up in three words, a little clown. That is exactly what they are in their overall personality. Generally, they are playful, affectionate and enjoy being the center of attention. They often do things that make owners laugh and they love finding ways to make their owners happy. They are often described as being a spirited breed but any stubbornness or mischievous play is quickly forgotten with the good-natured grin. The breed does very well with children of all ages and are usually very affectionate and gentle with them. In addition, this breed usually gets along well with everyone and they can do well with other dogs and pets.
Height:
The average height for a Pug is between 10 to 12 inches for a female and 12 to 14 for a male.
Weight:
The average weight for a Pug is between 13 to 18 pounds for a female and 13 to 20 for a male.
Health Problems:
The Pug breed of dog is considered to have a low health and they have many serious health problems. It is important to be aware of them before you purchase and to always purchase from a reputable breeder. Some health problems are Legg-Perthes Disease, Yeast Infections, Demodectic Mange, Allergies, Keratoconjunctivitis sicca, Vaccination Sensitivity, Hemi-vertebrae, Patellar Luxation, Distichiasis, Proptosis, Staph Infection, Pug Dog Encephalitis, Entropion, Cheyletiella Dermatitis, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Epilepsy, Corneal Ulcers, Nerve Degeneration and Hip Dysplasia.
Living Conditions:
The Pug breed of dog is versatile when it comes to living conditions and they can live in both apartments and homes with yards. They should not live outdoors and do best when they are inside with their family as a companion dog. Also, care should be taken during hot weather since the Pug can suffer from heat exhaustion very easily.
Exercise:
The Pug breed of dog is an active breed that requires between 20 to 30 minutes of exercise each day. Generally, two good walks will meet their needs but it is also important to give them an opportunity for off leash exercise as well.
Life Expectancy:
12 to 15 years
Grooming:
The Pug breed of dog is a very easy breed to groom and they require little to no maintenance to keep their coats healthy. On average, you should expect to brush your dog on a weekly basis to remove dead hairs and dirt. A wipe down with a damp cloth will keep them clean and they should only be bathed when it is absolutely necessary. Ears should be cleaned on a regular basis and nails should be clipped once or twice a month. The only other consideration is the wrinkles on the face, which should be washed on a daily basis along with the eyes.
Origin:
The Pug breed of dog has a range of theories when it comes to their origins and while no one can agree on the how, it is commonly accepted that the breed is an old one. In one theory, it is believed that the breed was developed in China and may even date back as far as the Han Dynasty (206BC). From there the breed was traded to Dutch traders and eventually made its way across Europe. In another theory, the Pug is believed to have been the result of crossing the Dogue de Bordeux with the English Bulldog and was, in fact, developed in England. Despite this claim, there has been archeological evidence of the breed in Holland and China so many believe that the former theory may be the correct one. Regardless of the where, there is little doubt that the Pug was a popular breed in Holland during the 1500's. In fact, it is believed that the Pug saved the Prince of Orange in 1572 and in doing so became the official dog of the House of Orange. The breed was a popular breed throughout Europe and were owned by many including Marie Antoinette. The Pug was imported into the United States sometime in the late 1860's, early 1870's. Comments
The standards for all the breeds accepted to the AKC are used here for breed information, and those not part of the AKC are resourced from FCI standard information, where it is written and coded into the club rules for those breeds.
