Pug

This is what you need to know about the adorable little black pug!

Size

Pugs are a small breed of dog, and believe it or not, as small as pugs are, you get dwarf pugs too. Pugs are generally ten to eleven inches tall; some grow as tall as thirteen inches. 

Weight 

Pugs can weigh around 14 to 18 pounds, and the heaviest a pug has been on record is 28 pounds. 

Color & Coat

Pugs come in multiple colors, fawn, silver-fawn, black, albino, white, apricot, and cream. Pugs have a minimal maintenance coat, which is smooth, shiny, and short. Speculations about long-haired pugs exist, but this may very well be another breed of dog, the griffon, that looks quite similar to a pug and has longer hair than most pugs that are mistaken for long-haired pugs. 

Shedding

Although pug coats are relatively low-maintenance, they do still shed. Pugs shed throughout the year. Thankfully having a short coat means they hardly ever get knots or tangles in their fur. Like many other dog breeds that shed right through the year, pugs tend to lose more hair when the change of season happens.

Suppose the weather is stable, like it’s the middle of winter, and you notice your pug shedding more than usual it may be worth a trip to the vet. Excessive shedding may be a sign of some underlying or undiagnosed health issue. 

Temperament Of An Original Pug Breed

Pugs were considered royal pets to the Chinese and the Dutch, and there is a reason for this. Pugs have an extraordinarily loving and people-pleasing nature. They have been referred to as the clown of the dog breeds. It is because their main goal in life is to make their owners happy and smile. If you are a pug owner, you may notice them doing silly things sometimes, and they do this to bring you joy.

Pugs, however, are also oversensitive and can easily have their feelings hurt. Specific pugs have even been known to display jealousy and attempt to make their owners jealous.

Picture this: you can come home from a long workday and have multiple pets. You don’t greet your pug. First, you may notice them shy away from you for the rest of the evening or see them seeking attention from a different family member, glaring at you as if to say I can get my affection somewhere else; I don’t need you.

Pugs can also be quite mischievous, which adds to their clown-like nature. Pugs make excellent pets for anyone. Pugs are brilliant whether a single person living in the city, a family living on a farm, or an older couple looking for some company. Pugs do best in weather that is quite mediocre, not too hot and not too cold, a very medium kind of weather with relatively warm days and rather cold days. However, they can thrive in any climate if you care for them well.

You can put a jacket on them if you live where it snows or have a splash pool for them if you live somewhere like the desert. Caring for pugs in extreme weather may take extra effort, but having a pug as a pet is worth it. 

Health of a New Pug Breed

Unfortunately, with the adorable shape that pugs’ faces have comes the possibility of many health issues. One of the health issues we see with pugs that are easily avoidable is obesity. With the proper diet, which we will discuss shortly, and proper exercise, a pug can maintain a healthy weight and avoid having obesity-related health issues. Obesity-related health issues include heart, kidney, liver, and even diabetes.

Because of their bulging eyes, pugs are at a higher risk than other dog breeds to struggle with eye ulceration, and they are also prone to getting infections in their skin flaps if they are not correctly cleaned and cared for. Pugs are also at high risk for allergies and skin infections and may struggle with ear discharge.

It is essential to take your pug for check-ups at the vet regularly, perhaps more than what other breeds of dogs require to help prevent any health issues from occurring. It would also aid in catching any health issues that arise early, so care for your pug effectively. 

Best Diet Of A Little Black Pug

There are many good options available regarding what to feed your pug. There are several dry kibbles available filled with protein and nutrients. Some of these dry kibbles are specially formulated for specific breeds of dogs, like pugs. There are also some wet food options available.

However, I would advise caution when it comes to wet food as they may contain more fat than necessary to sustain your pug, and since they are prone to obesity, this may not be the best option. Some pugs have allergies to some foods. If you notice adverse behavior after feeding your pug a specific type of food, such as pork, stop feeding your pug that food and contact your vet to have your pug tested for allergies.

The adverse behavior may include excessive bowl movements and possible vomiting. It may be prudent to have allergy testing done when you have a pug dog puppy to ensure that you do not feed them something that won’t sit well with them. Many pugs thrive on a raw and homemade diet. However, if preparing your pug’s meals yourself, please use caution regarding bones.

Any small bones are a no-go, such as chicken or fish bones. The bones may be choking hazards but may also cause bowel obstructions for your pug, and it is best to stay away from tiny bones. Avoid giving your pug any pips, such as mushrooms, avocados, raw potatoes, green tomatoes, onions, or garlic. More no-gos include coffee and chocolate, which can be fatal to your pug, so please take extra caution to ensure they do not accidentally ingest these items. 

Lifespan Of A Original Pug Breed

The original pug breed lives between 12 and 15 years, with the oldest recorded pug from South Africa living a great 28 years. Less than 100 days away from its 29th birthday, this South African pug passed away. 

Origin Of The Pug

It is widely agreed that pugs originated in China. There is some speculation that the breed may have come about as early as 400 b.c. the original pug breed had the purpose of being companions to their loved ones. Thousands of years later, the new pug breed still serves the same sense of being companions to people.

Pugs were the pets of the wealthy when they originally came about. There is a photograph dating back to the late 1800s, 1898 to be specific, where one can see Miss Neish, a member of England’s ladies’ kennel club, holding on to her pugs, one of which was an adorable little black pug. Pugs have been around for years.

Their popularity spread, causing them to travel from where they originated in China to ending up in Europe in later years. Still, today, pugs are extremely popular as house pets worldwide. They do make the ideal lap dog, indeed. Pugs have even been a symbol for a covert free masons group known as the order of the pug. They chose the pug as their symbol precisely because of their trustworthiness and undeniable loyalty.