How should I take care of a 'pug'?

Question

I really wanted a 'pug' for quite sometimes already... but i'm not so sure whether or not i could handle it. anyone who has a 'pug', please share me your stories..

Answer 1

Pugs are extremely hyper, but very loveable. You have to be ready for a dog that is "on" all of the time. I was trying to get one out of the kennel one day and it climbed up my body like a ladder. I never met a mean pug, but also never a tired one.

Answer 2

Pugs are great dogs, but there are some important considerations that you should take into account, the most important being their need for attention. Pugs were bred to be lap dogs, and that's what they do. If you'll be at work all day long, a pug is definitely not for you.

In terms of energy, young pugs, like most puppies, are quite hyperactive, but they do slow down as they get older. We haven't found either of our pugs to be any more hyper than other breeds we've had.

In my opinion, pugs are the most human of all breeds. They have an incredible personality. Our first pug, Rosie, is more independent, pushy, stubborn, bossy, and is a genius. Our second pug, Goldie, is needy and dependent and is, unfortunately, dumb as a doorknob. While Rosie is like a human child, Goldie is more like a living stuffed animal doll. But we love them both for their different personalities and qualities and traits.

Take a look below to see if a pug is right for you. There is a reason why pug owners are so fanatical about the breed, but you do need to make sure that you can meet their needs.

Some Considerations:

Health Issues: The bottom line regarding Pugs and health is that Pugs are prone to a myriad of genetic health issues, and require more veterinary care than some other breeds. Not every Pug will require frequent vet visits, but some do, so it’s in your best interest to plan on spending a lot of time, and money at the vets office. If you don’t have the time, money or willingness to commit the next 12-20 years to a dog that may have frequent health problems, don’t get a Pug.

Shedding: Pugs shed a lot. In fact, they shed more than a lot. They shed tons. If you read or hear anything to the contrary, you’re either getting misinformation, or the input of someone whose Pug is a rare exception to the norm. If you get a Pug, you’ll have fur all over the place. On every piece of furniture, on all your clothes and in your car. You don’t even have to put your Pug in the car, the fur will just be there…and everywhere else. If this is at all a concern to you, don’t get a Pug.

Housetraining: Pugs are not the easiest dogs in the world to housetrain. They’re small, which makes them inherently more difficult to housetrain than large dogs, which have a greater capacity to “hold”. Their size may not be the biggest obstacle to housetraining however, as Pugs tend to have a stubborn streak which makes them less than cooperative students. Skilled and experienced dog owners usually manage to housetrain their Pugs within 3 months of bringing their dog home. In our case, our first pug (who is a genius) was litter-box trained in 3 days. Our second pug (whom we believe suffers from some retardation), took three long, frustrating months.

A Pug is Your Shadow: Pugs are clingy dogs, because they’re people dogs which thrive on human companionship. This shouldn’t come as any surprise, because they were bred to be companion dogs. If you get a Pug, expect it to be at your feet and under your feet all the time. Not once in a while, or during meal time…all the time. A Pug will follow you, everywhere. Some people find this endearing, other people find it maddening or at least occasionally annoying. Think long and hard about this one, because you may not realize it bothers you until it happens. If this clingy nature is something that you think might bother you, don’t get a Pug.

Pugs Don’t Catch Frisbees: Pugs are low activity dogs. This means that they sleep a lot, as much as fourteen hours a day. It also means that Pugs have short bursts of energy, so you won’t see a Pug run very long or very far before it slows down and retreats for a nap. A Pug isn’t going to jog along side you on the sidewalk. It won’t even consider trying to catch a Frisbee. Most Pugs won’t even fetch a ball or a stick. If you’re an outdoor person seeking to share your active outdoor lifestyle with a dog, don’t get a Pug.

Pugs are Indoor Dogs: Stated quite simply, Pugs cannot tolerate high temperatures and humidity. This type of weather is unhealthy for Pugs, and over exposure to this type of weather can cause immediate or long-term health problems ranging from heat stroke to organ damage. If you live in a warm weather climate, and you don’t have air conditioning, don’t get a Pug.

Pug Maintenance: Pugs require a fair amount of grooming and general care. They have to be brushed frequently if you want to minimize shedding. Pugs have facial folds which need to be cleaned, every other day, every week or every month depending on the dog. Their nails grow fast, very fast, and need to be trimmed often. Pugs are also prone to having their anal sacs fill, and these sacs in turn, must be drained from time to time…not a pleasant, or easy task if you chose to do it yourself. If you won’t do it, then you’ll need to take your Pug to the vet or groomer to have it done, sometimes several times per year.

One more thing .... they SNORE. If like many pug owners, you find this endearing, then great. Otherwise, you might have trouble sleeping at night!

If you can deal with all of these issues, then a pug may be right for you.

Hope this is helpful!

Answer 3

Pugs require more attention than most dogs, and they will let you know it.

Answer 4

Have a look here.