Should I spend a fortune on a papered Pug, or risk getting a dog from a 'backyard breeder'?
What's a Pug's temperment like? Are they good with small kids? How easy are they to potty train? Anything else I should know?
2006-09-26 23:30:54 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
You already know the most important thing...If the wife wants a Pug, you buy her one! :)
Dogs are like anything else......you get what you pay for! Go to an experienced and reputable breeder. Call or e-mail the Pug kennel club and find a local breeder that breeds AKC registered Pugs and breeds a few puppies. Don't bother with any breeder that breeds multiple breeds. A good breeder will concentrate on just one or two different breeds. All pups are not born to be champions, but a pet quality puppy will be great. Go and see the pups with your own eyes....never order one online, sight unseen.
Generally, Pugs are highly intelligent and easy to train. They are not usually good with young children or should I say, young children a not usually good with them. Temperament wise........they tend to be a bit snappy.
You've got to know that Pugs have bulging eyes and any breed with bulging eyes are prone to more eye injuries. I can name at least 5 clients who've had Pugs suffer eye injures so severe that they eye has had to be removed. Even a slight blow to the side of the head can cause a Pug's eye to be popped out of socket. For that reason, I seldom recommend a Pug to people with small children.
Because they are a brachiocephalic breed (smashed in face) they are prone to suffer breathing problems.....from loud snoring...to very serious problems with their trachea collapsing. Also, we see a lot of Pug puppies that are born with cleft pallets and hydrocephallic. That is why a reputable breeder is so necessary.
Pugs are adorable...but I have to warn you to be careful in your choice. If your wife just likes the flat faced dogs, I would recommend a Boston Terrier over a Pug. They potentially have some of the same problems, but are sturdier and are better with kids.
I always hate to be discouraging to someone when they want a particular breed, but you asked....so I was honest. Please do your research before you buy a Pug......and make your decision wisely. Buy from the best breeder. They love their breed and want to better their breed and also want to make sure a potential owner and puppy are a good match.
No BYB....they only breed for the money!
2006-09-27 00:06:36 · answer #1 · answered by Free Bird 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Always either use a reputable breeder or check out local shelters ans save a life. BYB are the main reason the shelters are full and millions die every year. What you should know is dogs take up considerable time and money. The vet bills can add up fast. Research how to raise and train pugs before you get the animal. The library is a good resource. Pick out your obedience trainer and your vet. Learn how to house train a dog. learn what to do about a puppy's chewing. Research dog food. Our pets need quality pet food. Read the ingredients list and learn what the stuff on there is and what it does (or does not do) to/for our pets. A quick pet food 101. If the pet food contains corn/corn products or by products it is a poor quality food. Do not pay attention to advertising, they all say there food is great. Corn is a filler that can trigger skin problems. (allergies, skin problems, itching and excessive shedding) By products is anything from an animal not fit for human consumption, including cancerous tissue. Quality foods have meat as the first ingredient. California Natural, Solid Gold, Innova and Merrick are a few of the best brands available. If you want to learn more check out: http://www.sagekeep.com/petfood.htm www.api4animals.org/facts?p=359& more=1 http://animalark.eapps.com/animal/PetFoods.nsf/$$PetFoodsByRating?OpenForm
Good luck
2006-09-26 23:45:19 · answer #2 · answered by Stick to Pet Rocks 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We have 2 pugs which are both papered, we spent $375 & $400 for them. They are the best dogs that I have ever had in my life. My husband which was my boyfriend at the time I got the 1st one said no way is that dog sleeping with me, now has to sleep with both of them next to him.
Papered would be best as breathing problems, skin cancer and coat problems can be carried through the generations of the dogs.
Our 2 dogs are great around kids they have never bitten or even growled at a child and we have a lot of them near us. The kids have pulled on their tongues & tails and they have not cared a bit. They are extremely lazy (sleep 18-20 hours a day) until you get them in a play mode or tell them it is time to eat. They love to cuddle, They do snort and snore a lot but you get used to it and miss it if they are not around.
Ours were really easy to potty train. The 1st one took a few weeks and then the 2nd one learned from the 1st. We have a doggie door so they go outside when they need to. Another thing about them is they shed a lot of hair. You want to get them a harness vs a regular collar for when you take them on walks since their neces are the same size of their head when they grow and the regular collar will slip right off.
2006-09-29 05:33:35 · answer #3 · answered by Tazaor 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The pugs I have been around with (dog parks, obedience class, friend's) have been sweet tempered and good. The 2 concerns I would keep in mind are ear infections and breathing problems due to the structure of their airways. As for children and pugs, it is up to the parents to educate their children as to how to treat a dog gently and respect it's eating and sleeping quarters. ANY dog can bite if a toddler has been harassing it all day. Give the pug it's "time-out" space. Good luck, I think you will like them.
2006-09-27 00:21:57 · answer #4 · answered by NK 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
pugs have the unfortunate habit of passing a lot of gas and the doggy breath is not so great either--my husband was determined to get a pug until i borrowed one from a friend of a friend for a day and made him take care of the pug and he found out for himself--we ended up getting a bird instead
2006-09-27 01:26:10 · answer #5 · answered by Theresa 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
go to the Humane Society and get her a dog from there.
She will love it more then a Pug. And DO NOT go to a backyard breeder all they are are puppy mills. you don't know what you are getting.
2006-09-26 23:50:14 · answer #6 · answered by david o 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Please research this breed before you decide to get one...Free Bird has some good advice concerning the respiratory problems, eye issues..etc. that Pugs have..They are sweet, active little dogs but I would recommend you check out your local shelter and pick out a cute mutt!
2006-09-27 07:00:07 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
don't buy one from a pet shop, find a local breeder by looking in the want ads in your paper, they should be able to tell you all about the breed
better yet, why don't you go ahead and buy a book about that breed and read up on it before you buy it, that way you'll know all about it and won't be surprised
2006-09-26 23:34:02 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I hear if you hit a pug on the back of the head, its eyes pop out of their sockets.
2006-09-26 23:33:14 · answer #9 · answered by Kit 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Pugs are a complete waste of space.
All, and I mean ALL, dogs are dangerous around small children.
2006-09-26 23:39:32 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋