Family-friendly: 5/5 Exercise needs: 3/5 Easy to train: 3/5 Tolerates being alone: 1/5 Likes other pets: 4/5 Energy level: 3/5 Grooming needs: 3/5 Shedding: 5/5

Pug

The Pug is a popular toy dog, known for displaying puppy-like antics well into their adulthood. They will suit an owner with a sense of humour who wants an affectionate, trainable small dog, willing to go everywhere with them.

One of the pros of owning a Pug dog breed is that they don’t need that much exercise, but a downside might be that they do like to snore — a lot, and loudly. However, they’re perfect for first-time owners and they’re easily trained so they’re sure to make lovely companions.

Lifespan

12–15 years

Weight

6.3–8.1kg

Height

25–33cm when fully grown

Colours

Silver, apricot, fawn or black

Size

Small

Kennel Club group

Toy

The need-to-know

Dog suitable for non-experienced owners
Extra training required
Potential health risks
Enjoys active walks
Enjoys one to two hours of walking a day

Small dog
Some drool
Requires grooming every other day
Quiet dog
Barks and alerts to visitors/anything unusual

Could have issues with unknown dogs but gets along with known dogs
Gets along with other pets with training
May need additional supervision to live with children
Needs a small garden
Can happily live in the city

Can be left occasionally with training

This breed has a higher risk of health issues

The Pug breed is classed as brachycephalic; problems associated with the condition include;
- Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome: a condition in brachycephalic breeds (those with a short nose and squashed face) where breathing is obstructed and can lead to reduced ability to exercise, or even severe respiratory distress.
- Skin inflammation/infection: brachycephalic breeds have a short nose and a normal amount of facial tissue. This means there is often excess skin around their face which leads to skin folds. The skin inside these folds can become sore and infections are prone to develop.
- Eye ulcers: ulcers are painful erosions on the surface of the eye. They are more common in brachycephalic breeds due to their conformation, as their eyes tend to be more bulbous.

The breed is also prone to:
- Patellar luxation
- Legg-Perthes disease
- Hemivertebrae which is a problem where dogs are born with spinal deformities
- Pug Dog Encephalitis which is a serious inflammatory brain disease
- Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye) which is a painful condition where the tear gland stops working properly
- Entropion¹ which is a painful eye condition where the eyelids roll inwards

Read more about pug health problems here.

Priority Kennel Club health schemes and testing:
- Respiratory function grading system

¹Y. Kim et al, 'Combination of Stades Forced Granulation Method and Hotz-Celsus Procedure for Treatment of Upper and Lower Eyelid Entropion-Trichiasis in Three Dogs', 2021, Journal of Veterinary Clinics

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Pug Appearance

Square, cobby, muscular, and surprisingly heavy, pugs wear their coat short, soft and glossy. The pug size is small, and their flat face, bulging eyes and facial wrinkles divide opinions, but they are enchanting, fun-loving companions. As for the Pug colours, they range from silver and apricot to fawn and black.

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Pug Personality

This charming, good-tempered toy dog is a happy, sociable companion. The Pug dog breed is friendly with both owners and strangers, playful, funny, and good with other dogs or animals. While pocket-sized, the Pug dog breed is still robust enough to cope with family life.

These little dogs have big personalities and are beloved by old and young alike. They can be calm and quiet, but can also have their mischievous, clownish moments. A super companion if you can offer them the time they need, but keep in mind that they don’t like to be separated from their loved ones for too long.

Vet Rating

Family-friendly:	5/5
Exercise needs:	3/5
Easy to train:	3/5
Tolerates being alone:	1/5
Likes other pets:	4/5
Energy level:	3/5
Grooming needs:	3/5
Shedding:	5/5

History and Origins

This is an ancient breed whose origins have been lost in the mists of time — and indeed there are many theories as to where and how the breed developed.

It is however thought that the Pug origin is China, where it had been known for some time (and may be one of the ancestors of the Pekinese), before accompanying traders to Europe, where they developed largely in the Netherlands. The Pug dog breed then travelled to England with William III and Mary II when they came to the English throne in 1688.

The Pug quickly developed fans around the world — especially in the courts of Europe. Queen Victoria was a fan of the breed, keeping 36 of them and indeed breeding and showing them. This passion was passed on to others in her family including King George V and King Edward VIII.

Ideal Owner

The Pug requires an owner who understands that beneath that somewhat comical appearance and within that rather potato-shaped body, resides a dog with a strong will, clever mind and bucket-loads of personality. Suitable for first time owners, but really only if you’re prepared for a proper dog, because the Pug has no clue that they’re a Toy breed! Keep in mind that their short neck and nose/face means they will almost certainly suffer breathing issues, as this will affect management, insurance costs, veterinary bills and welfare.

Exercise Needs

The Pug needs only about half an hour of dog exercise a day, but they will happily potter around with you all day, and accompany you on errands. Never exercise them in hot weather, or keep them in the car when it is even slightly warm, as they can experience breathing difficulties induced by the heat.

Space Requirements

A Pug is the perfect dog for a small urban space. They don’t need a garden as long as they have access to an outdoor area for exercise and toilet requirements — but they can also enjoy life in the countryside.

Nutrition and Feeding

Toy dogs have a fast metabolism, meaning they burn energy at a high rate. They must eat little and often. Small-breed foods are specifically designed with appropriate levels of key nutrients and smaller kibble sizes to suit smaller mouths. This also encourages chewing and improves digestion. Check out our dog feeding guidelines for more information. Proper nutrition along with care can contribute to a Pug lifespan reaching 15 years.

Grooming Pugs

The Pug grooming process is fairly easy as their coat is low maintenance, requiring a quick brush once a week. However, the wrinkles over the dog's nose will need to be cleaned daily, and the ears and eyes will also need to be checked every day.

Training Pugs

It’s easy to underestimate these little dogs, but Pugs can be surprisingly trainable and they will enjoy learning both basic obedience exercises and fun tricks. They should be taught to walk on a lead and harness — as well as learn a reliable recall — not that they generally wander far from their beloved owners!

Are Pugs Good Family Dogs?

Pugs make great family dogs and are ideal for those with children. Although they should avoid boisterous games, as their eyes can be prone to injury, and their breathing restrictions prohibit too much running around, especially in the heat.

While many dogs are traditionally thought of as being good with children, all dogs and children need to be taught to get on with and respect each other, and be safe together. Even so, dogs and young children should never be left alone together and adults should supervise all interactions between them.

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Pug Fun Facts

Now one of the most popular companion dog breeds, the Pug was made world famous in the film Men in Black (1997), when Mashu, a rescue Pug, played the part of a wise-cracking alien called Frank. He proved so popular that the character was expanded in the sequel made in 2002, by which time Mashu was seven years old and needed make up to cover his grey hairs! In the film he was even required to wear a $9,000 Italian suit. This popularity hasn’t done the breed any favours however, as unscrupulous breeders have capitalised in on this sudden public interest. They are one of the most irresponsibly bred and puppy-farmed breeds, leading to a huge increase in health problems.

Not everyone loves Pugs however. While Josephine, wife of Napoleon, adored her Pug called Fortune, and insisted they slept in her bed, her husband was not so enamoured. His opinion was confirmed when Fortune bit him on their wedding night, and left scars that he would carry for life (history doesn’t tell us exactly where!). He hated all dogs from then on and was convinced they brought him bad luck.
The German word for Pug is Mops.
The Pug dog breed is often described as the Latin phrase “multum in parvo” which means “much in little”, referring to their big personality, despite their small size.
A group of Pugs is called a grumble.

FAQs

Can a Pug be left alone?

With training, adult Pugs can be left alone for up to 6 hours a day but puppies generally need constant attention so they shouldn’t be left alone for long periods of time.

Do Pugs bark a lot?

Pugs are considered to be quiet pets as they don’t bark much and prefer to spend their time sleeping, rather than making noise.

Do Pugs like to sleep with their owners?

Pugs are people-oriented so they will adore spending as much time with their owners as possible, even while sleeping.

Do Pugs bite?

Normally, Pugs are not aggressive, and they shouldn’t bite, but if they feel threatened or in danger, they might react by trying to protect themselves.