do pugs make good pets? are they easily traineable?

Answer 1

First of all, regarding the "health issues" previous posters have mentioned..if you buy a QUALITY dog from a REPUTABLE breeder you won't have any problems. I've been raising pugs for a long time, and I've NEVER had any health problems with my puppies, as juveniles or adults.
Black pugs are not rare. Pugs eyes do not stick out further than their nose. My pugs go to my farm with me every day to take care of my horses. They run in the fields, chase rabbits and butterflies, and terrorize each other...no one's eye has EVER fallen out.
Now, for training..pugs are easy to train..if you use FOOD to motivate them! Pugs were bred and designed to be companion dogs. They were never meant for herding, hunting, etc. Their sole goal in life is to please and be with their owners. If you use treats, and praise you will be fine training your puppy.
Don't expect your pug to learn every trick in the book. They tend to be a little lazy, and don't care much for the "circus tricks" other dogs do. All of my dogs are licensed therapy dogs and have their Canine Good Citizen award. They have all been to obedience class. And we've never had a dog "flunk out" or not pass the class with flying colors. Good luck to you and your puppy.

Answer 2

Pugs are a hoot!

Happy bouncy loving little guys - and the breed is loaded with severe hereditary and expensive health problems.

Of all the pugs whose owners have submitted xrays to the OFA for evaluation (always done with breeding stock), 60.9% have abnormal elbows (dysplasia) on the front leg and less than 40% are normal. Over 61% have abnormal hips (dysplasia) and less than 38% are normal. Close to 8% have abnormal patellas - where the knee cap displaces.

Now think about that. Statistically these are going to be dogs produced by responsible breeders who go out of their way to avoid passing on the traits; and here is what they are getting. DO NOT EVER TAKE A CHANCE ON A BACKYARD BREEDER WHO HASN'T DONE ALL THE HEALTH CHECKS ONT EH SIRE AND DAM

If you want one, go here to find a breeder and ask a lot of questions about the incidence of hereditary health problems in their line. A responsible breeder will stand behind a puppy that turns out to have problems (and it happens - the genes are recessive and are hidden. Mom and Dad may not have the problem but the gene for it is there.)

http://www.pugs.org/

Remember, the pug was originally bred as a guard dog to raise the alarm. That means they can be independent minded and stubborn little beasties but are very very intelligent.

I had very good results in training them for obedience work - including upper level work with retrieves and hand signals and jumping.

They are not, however, a dog that you can bribe into behavior by giving them treats or any other of the current fads like clickers. They will take the treat and then ignore you the next time out of pure cussedness to get their own way. They have a strong personality and when you give a command, they will look you with "And who is gonna make me? You and what army? Give me a reason why I should?" They do very well with positive/negative training which "positive" equals praise and pets and tummy rubs and "negative" equals 'I will take a hold of you and make you do this if we are here all day ' while roaring "NO NOT OPTIONAL MISTER".

Once they know that you mean what you say, they do what is ask with great enthusiasm and energy and happiness (just so they get hugged, petted and told they are great.)

If you can handle the attitude and training, and get one without problems, great family dogs.

Answer 3

It is all a matter of opinion. What do you think of when you picture a "good pet?" Do you picture a rover rugged type dog, who loves to be outside more than inside...who will do tricks on command and be independent for the most part? Or do you picture an attention needing dog who will understand basic commands such as "sit" "no" and "lay down"? Basically pugs are companion animals, and they are the most needy of all companion animals. If you plan on having only one dog, then hopefully you will be home more than at work. They are also stubborn, which makes training not so easy. Pugs love companionship, whether its from a human or another dog. If you have a full time job, my suggestion is do not get a pug unless you already have another dog or you plan on getting it a mate. I have two pugs and I love them a lot. I wouldnt trade them for the world. But they are a lot of work. They require a lot of attention, and they have genetic health problems that come with the breed. For example, did you know that pugs are prone to having knee caps that slip out of place? Did you also know that usually that requires an operation? Did you also know that they have problems breathing and later in life they could get congestive heart failure? Did you know about their eye problems?
If your heart is set on having a pug (as was mine) investigate your breeder. See how long they have been in business. Your reputable breeders will be more expensive but its so worth it.
Dont get me wrong, at first I wanted to say "absolutely get a pug" but thats just my opinion. I would hate to have someone get a pug based on my opinion, have it not work out for them, and then have them abuse the animal or give it to another family who also is not well informed. Pugs are the closest things to children in my opinion. They are very sensitive to everything you say and do. Their feelings get hurt very easily and yes they do let you know about it. Please make an informed decision before considering this breed.
Good luck and take your time.

Answer 4

My co-worker just got a pug about 3 months ago. She paid about $1000 for it because it is pure bred and black which are apparently more expensive. The dog is really sweet and playful (a bit ugly though). She has had some trouble training the dog and has actually enrolled in obediance classes.

The worst thing has been health problems. My co-worker's mother who had a pug before and from research she did, she found that once there is any health problem, many tend to follow. In the past few months, she has spent probably 3x what she paid for the dog in medical bills alone.

Answer 5

Pugs are great pets. They are a lot of concern though. As their eyes stick out further than there nose, they tend to have eye problems. They get scratched easily, they get bumped, poked, etc.

Any dog is easy to train if you are persistant and routine with it. That's the key to all dog training.

They sure are cute though.

Answer 6

Pugs are great pets, fun, friendly, playful easy i think to train, but they tend to have lots of health problems, for example, breathing problems, eye problems it will all add up in the end.

Answer 7

DUMB AS A BOX OF ROCKS! I have a friend with a black pug. The dog has had to have eight different operations; on his bladder (3), eyes (1), ears (3), dewclaws (1). My friend jokes about having paid for several cruises for her vet. The dog is 11yrs old and doesn't know his name.
I know of another black pug whose leg bones were so soft as a puppy, she ended up with terribly bowed legs.
Poor protoplasm in this breed! Don't get one unless you are prepared to spend a lot of money on vet bills!

Answer 8

I want a pug so badly! I had a friend who had one, they are so cute and friendly! I don't know how hard they are to train, but I say get one.