Sometimes calm, sometimes playful, but always good-humored, the Pug displays its eastern roots with a thoroughly delightful ying and yang blend of comedy and dignity. With their large expressive eyes and cocked head, they have a myriad of endearing facial expressions. Sturdy and playful, they make a great child’s playmate. Small enough for apartment living and to be readily transported, a Pug makes a good companion for the elderly. Peaceful with the world, and seeking to be close without being obtrusive, they charm everyone else in between. They co-exist reasonably well with other dogs and most other pets– many cats find the breed fascinating. One of the few times a Pug will bark is in their role of watchdog at which they excel. Although they take time to accept strangers, they are not a guard dog. Relatively serene both inside and out and masters of napping, Pug owners need to make sure they get enough exercise to avoid going from their naturally barrel-chested physique to obese. The dog in the picture associated with this breed description has crossed that line. Like many breeds with short muzzles, they snort and snore. Gassiness can also be a problem. Many are difficult to housebreak, especially in rainy climates.

The Pug is a small but sturdy dog. Although they usually lack an underbite, with their wrinkled pushed-in face Pugs are somewhat reminiscent of a bulldog. They stand 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh 14 to 20 pounds. Their short coat comes in the colors of apricot-fawn, silver, or black with light colors more common. Give them a quick brushing every day to minimize their above average shedding. Like most breeds with short muzzles, Pugs suffer as temperature and humidity increases. They should be protected from overheating, especially when playing, as they can quickly suffer a heat stroke. They will naturally seek out shade or air conditioning if it is available. They do much better in cool weather.

Spending additional effort socializing the breed pays off with a more confident dog. Use only positive training techniques as Pugs are sweet, tender-hearted dogs that are crushed by harsh training methods. But even though they bring out parental feelings in many people, they should not be coddled. They are about average in training difficulty except when it comes to housetraining which takes patience and consistency– crate training helps. They do well in almost any living situation and make a fine choice for a first-time dog owner.