Pug Allergies Symptoms, Eye Problems, Lifespan, and Training

Pug Dog Breed Introduction

Pug is a brachycephalic dog originally from China. It is categorized under the toy group by AKC. Pugs are known for their distinctive features of a curled tail and a wrinkled short-muzzled face. Majority of these dogs are fond of children and are sturdy enough to properly play with them. Pugs have a tendency of being sensitive and intuitive to the moods of they owners. They are also eager to please their pet parents.

Due to the short muzzled face, Pugs experience breathing attacks. For this reason, several airlines have banned their transport in Cargo along with other brachycephalic breeds like French Bulldogs. This breed is also highly susceptible to eye injuries such as painful entropion and scratched corneas due to lack of prominent skeletal brow ridges and longer snouts.

Origin

Pugs originated in China where they were bred as companion pets for the ruling families. Ancient pugs were highly valued by Chinese Emperors that they were kept in luxury and guarded by the soldiers. During the Song Dynasty, similar dogs were popular in the Imperial court. Later on, Pugs spread to other parts of Asia like Tibet where they were kept as pets in the monasteries by Buddhist monks.

In the 16th century, Pugs were brought to Europe. They were famous at European courts and soon after became the mascot of the House of Orange in 1572 after a Pompey, a Pug saved the life of the Prince of Orange by alerting him about the assassins. In 1688, a Pug also traveled with William III and Mary II to England to accept the throne from Netherlands.

Around this time, Pugs may have been bred with the old type King Charles Spaniel giving the the modern King Charles Spaniel its Pug-like facial characteristics. Eventually the breed also became popular in European Countries. They were painted in Spain by Goya.

History

Originally from China, Pugs spread in Europe during the 16th century. In Italy, Pugs rode up front on carriages dressed in pantaloons and jackets that matched those of the coachman. An English Painter, William Hogarth, was also a devoted owner of a series of Pugs including Trump. This breed became famous in France in 18th century. Prior to the marriage of Josephine, the Empress of France to Napoleon Bonaparte, she used her pug to conceal messages to her family during her confinement at Les Carmes prison when it was the pet alone given the visiting rights.

During the Victorian Era, Pugs flourished under the patronage of Queen Victoria. During her reign, she bred many pugs including Venus, Fatima, Pedro, etc. Queen’s passion for Pugs was passed down on to many other members of the Royal Family including her grandson, King George V and her great grand son King Edward VIII.

In the engravings and paintings of the 1700 and 1800, Pugs had longer legs and noses than today, and sometimes cropped ears. However, the modern Pug appearance probably changed after importing a new wave of pugs directly from China in 1860. Black Pugs were popularized by the British aristocrat Lady Brassey after she brought some back from China. Ear cropping for Pugs was illegalized in 1895.

Pugs came to the US in the 19th century and soon after made their way into the family home and show ring. AKC recognized Pugs in 1885. In the 20th century, The Pug Dog Club of America was founded in 1931. Double D Cinoblu’s Masterpiece, a pug was the best in show at the World Dog Show held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2004.

Pug Lifespan

Pugs have a lifespan of 13 to 15 years according to the American Kennel Club. They also have a median life expectancy of 11 years. However, some Pugs have lived into their late teens and early twenties. One of the longest Living Pug, Smokie from South Africa died in 2018 at the age of 27 years.

Male Life Expectancy

Male pugs have a shorter lifespan as compared to their female counterparts. The average Male Pug can live up to 12.8 years while a female may live up to 13.2 years.

Dying Symptoms

Pet parents will at one point make the tough decision, if it is time to put the Pug down. While making this decision, it is highly recommended to decide based on the best interest of the pet rather than what is best for you to avoid prolonging the suffering of your Pug. Some of the symptoms that Pugs exhibit when about to cross the rainbow bridge include:

Loss of appetite even for the tastiest treats since the organs have started shutting down removing the sensation of hunger or thirst.
Fatigue and lethargy.
Loss of balance and coordination making difficult for the dog to move from one point to another.
Labored breathing.
Loss of bowel and/or bladder.
Weight loss due to illness or the normal aspects of aging.
Increased social isolation and lack of interest in their favorite things.
Poor temperature regulation.

Pug Grooming

Pugs have a double coat that sheds at moderate levels all-year round and heavily during the seasonal change once or twice a year during spring and/or fall. Use a hound glove, medium bristle brush or rubber grooming mitt to brush the coat at least once a week and thrice during the shedding season.

Regular brushing promotes new hair growth, removes loose hair, and evenly spreads the natural oils present in the coat keeping it healthy and glossy. Bath your pug using a mild hypoallergenic shampoo at least once every three to four weeks.

Remember to clean the wrinkles and facial folds daily using fragrance free canine wipes to avoid infection and irritation. Failure to wipe the wrinkles and facial folds results in skin fold dermatitis. Pugs have large and protruding eyes that are prone to collect dust and flecks of dirt. Wipe the eyes using a clean damp washcloth at least once a day to remove eye discharge and dirt.

Clean the ears once a week using an ear cleanser solution and cotton balls. Trim the nails at least twice a month. Overly grown nails makes walking and running painful for your Pug. Apply nose balm during winter and early spring to avoid nose cracking. Brush the teeth of your pug at least twice a week. Remember to apply paw wax to the paw pads and in between the toes to avoid cracking on the paw skin.

Grooming Tools

In order to full groom a Pug the following grooming tools are needed: a clean damp washcloth, hypoallergenic shampoo, nail clippers, ear cleanser solution, cotton balls, fragrance free canine wipes, dental wipes or dog-formulated toothpaste, finger toothbrush, nose balm, paw wax, and rubber grooming mitt, hounding glove or a medium bristle brush.

Teeth Cleaning

Pugs are brachycephalic and have small crowded mouths that causes food trapping in the back crannies and nooks. Therefore, frequent teeth cleaning at least thrice a week if not daily is recommended. Use a dog- formulated toothpaste and finger toothbrush to clean the teeth of your Pug. Regular teeth cleaning promotes a good breathe and removes tartar buildup. Excess tartar buildup leads to periodontal diseases.

At times, it may be difficult to clean the teeth using a tooth brush, in such situations, use canine dental wipes to clean the teeth or even dental treats. Schedule professional teeth cleaning after a year or two when your Pug is anesthetized. It is recommended to choose a vet that is familiar with the pug breed to minimize the amount of time that your dog is under anesthesia.

Haircut

No haircuts for Pugs. They have a natural short, fine, and smooth double coat that doesn’t require trimming. The double coat is made up an outer coat and undercoat that protects your pooch from cold and heat.

Shedding

Pugs sheds heavily when experiencing seasonal change during Spring and/or Fall. However, they also shed at moderate levels all-year round. Therefore, regular brushing at least thrice a week during the shedding season using a hounding glove is key. Brushing helps to manage the shedding levels by confining the hair in the brush that would otherwise spread around the house.

Shedding Brush

They have a coat that is short, smooth, fine, and glossy. While brushing, use a soft brush that will not scrape the skin. The recommended shedding brush for Pugs is a medium-bristle brush, hound glove, or a rubber grooming mitt.

Coat

Pugs have a short and smooth double coat made up of a top outer coat and undercoat. During winter, a Pug need a nice warm jacket or coat to keep it warm. Because of the pushed in-nose, a Pug is an indoor pet that should not be left unattended outdoors. These dogs don’t tolerate humidity and heat well either.

Hypoallergenic

A Pug is not hypoallergenic since it sheds all-year round spreading hair and dander around the house. The coat of this breed is also short, fine, smooth, and glossy and it will tend to stick to clothes, furniture, and carpet. Dander, urine, saliva, hair, and mucus have a protein that causes allergic reactions in people who suffer from dog allergies. Pugs are also prone to drooling due to their brachycephalic characteristics. Drooling allows saliva to leak on the surfaces causing inflammation.

Pug Training

Pugs were bred to pleasure their owners and have a great loving and outgoing disposition making training easy. In order to raise a well-adjusted and well-mannered Pug, start socialization training between the age of 8 to 16 weeks. Although, socialization training starts from the age of 3 weeks while the pup is with the breeder. This form of training exposes a Pug to other dog breeds, animals, people, situations, sights, smell, experiences, and sounds like vacuum cleaners, lawn mowers, door bells, baby crying sounds, washing machine, sirens, and whistles.

Enrolling your pooch for puppy classes will also serve as a form of socialization. Puppy classes also help pet owners to be able to identify and correct bad habits. Use positive reinforcements methods such as the use of tiny bites of treats such as cheese and leftover chicken, praise, and toys for positive outcome. Avoid use of harsh correction method such as yelling, kicking, shoving, punching, or beating. Remember to teach your Pug indoors during extreme weather conditions especially heat and cold.

Training Tips

Teach basic command words such as sit, come, lie down, and leave it one at a time to avoid confusion. Teach for a span of 5 to 10 minutes since Pugs easily get distracted and bored. In order to enjoy dinner without your pooch begging, teach your Pug to go to their place on a portable mat or crate. This will also help when ushering guests into your home without your puppy jumping on them.

Crate training is also recommended for pugs especially when indoors to keep them safe. A crate should be a safe place for a Pug to retreat to. Remember to create positive associations with the device through the use of praise, toys, and treats. Make a crate comfortable by lining it with a cozy blanket. Pugs are also prone to separation anxiety, therefore, a crate will teach them to stay alone. While in the house, always leave the crate door open so that your pet may understand that staying in the crate is not a forced experience. At no time should a crate be used as a form of punishment.

Pug Potty Training

For effective house breaking, create a feeding schedule, potty train, and also crate train your Pug. Potty training immediately starts when your bring a pup home from the age of 8 to 12 weeks. Before potty training, it is good to understand that an 8-week-old pup can hold for two hours before eliminating while a 12 week pup will hold for three hours. The bladder and bowel muscles strengthen as the puppy grows up. For this reason, take your pooch to the designated potty area immediately it wakes up, 20 minutes after meals and drinks, before bedtime, after naps, and following an exciting activity such as a car ride.

It is highly recommended to decide whether your Pug will eliminate inside or outside especially for apartment dwellers who can’t access the street or yard easily. For indoor potty training, get litter boxes or puppy pads from a pet store. For outdoor training, select a relieving spot that is not near the BBQ or patio deck. Remember to remain in the designated area for at least 15 minutes to allow the bowel and bladder muscles to relax for a pee or poo.

Potty Hacks

If a Pug doesn’t eliminate, take it to the house and return it to the potty area after 15 minutes. It is normal for Pugs to have accidents before they are fully housetrained. When a pet parent gets a Pug in the act, he or she should avoid yelling and stay calm. Yelling makes a pet fearful which will result to an increase in random accidents. Instead, utter a firm No, and take your Pug to the designated toilet area.

Remember to clean the urine or faeces using an enzymatic detergent or iodine solution to remove odor. Failure to remove odor will encourage future accidents since the Pug will sniff and eliminate in the same spot. Some of the signs that a Pug exhibits when it wants to eliminate include sniffing, circling, restlessness, lifting one leg against the furniture, and squatting. Before a pup is 16 weeks old, set an alarm to take it outside at least once during the night.

Pug Temperament

Charming.
Sensitive.
Intuitive.
Fond of children.
Outgoing.
Loving.
Playful.
Affectionate.
Mischievous.
Strong-willed.
Intelligent.
People-oriented.

Exercise

Pugs can easily become obese due to their fondness for eating and will happily spend the day snuggling at the sofa. Regular exercise and a healthy diet is highly recommended. Several shorter walks early in the morning and late in the evening will keep them from becoming overheated and too tired. Pet parents should also provide brain stimulating activities and extra playtime. Pugs are short-faced and should not do strenuous exercise when it is warm or humid. It is preferred to exercise them in a temperature controlled room.

Size

Both a male and female Pug have a weight of 14 to 18 pounds ( approx. 6 to 8 kg) with a height of 10 to 13 inches ( approx. 25 to 33 cm).

Height

A Pug has a height of 10 to 13 inches ( approx. 25 to 33 cm) according to AKC.

Height Female

It is normal for a Female Pug to have a height of 10 to 12 inches ( approx. 25 to 30cm ).

Weight

An adult Pug has a weight of 14 to 18 pounds ( approx. 6 to 8 kg).

Weight Loss

Pugs are prone to obesity since they are fond of eating. In order to aid weight loss, ensure that the dog is properly exercised, remove food bowel after meals to avoid overindulgence, and go easy on the treats.

Barking

Pug seldom barks and make good pets for apartment dwellers. However, barking may vary from one dog to another depending on various factors such as separation anxiety and lack of proper exercise.

Growling

Growling is a form of communication for Pugs and other dog breeds. They growl to express how they feel. Common reasons for growling in dogs include pain, fear, possession aggression, and being territorial. However, some pugs may growl while playing.

Aggressive

A Pug is a suitable dog for a family that has children. However, it is strong-willed. Fortunately, it is rarely aggressive.

Biting

Pug puppies are mouthy and tend to learn about the texture of anything in sight through biting. This habit is also rapid when the pug is teething due to discomfort. A puppy may also bite due to fear or aggression and will growl or bark to alert someone to keep off. If you don’t keep a distance, a growl may turn into a nip or even a bite. Puppies also bite while playing. This may seem adorable but not anymore after it develops into a mature dog that has serious biting problems. Pet parents are urged to curb biting before it becomes a habit through bite inhibition training, redirection, distraction, and socializing a pup with older dogs.

Health Issues

Pugs are prone to breathing difficulties | breathing attacks since they possess compact breathing passageways. Furthermore, they are also not able to regulate normal body temperatures through evaporation from the tongue by panting. High temperatures above 42 degree Celsius may result to organ failure. Pug breathing problems become worse due to the stresses of travelling in air cargo, which may involve high temperatures. Apart from breathing problems, Pugs are also prone to other health problems including eye problems, obesity, reverse sneezing, hip dysplasia, and demodectic mange.

Seizures

The unique cause of seizures in Pugs is Pug Dog Encephalitis(PDE), which is a disease that causes the inflammation of the brain. PDE is only found in Pugs and affect young to middle aged dogs. This disease also features seizures as its primary symptom. Seizure(fits or convulsions) is the disturbance of the normal functioning of the brain that is usually accompanied by uncontrollable muscle activity.

Apart from seizures, other symptoms of PDE include pacing in circles, aggression, the Pug pressing its head against people and objects such as walls and furniture, loss of coordination, behavioral changes, lethargy, neck stiffness, weakness, and head tilt. There are two types of PDE:

Slow Progressive – this type includes seizures that last for seconds or minutes and recur after days or weeks with pooch returning normal after the seizures.

Rapid progressive – This type of PDE features more rapid seizures than slow progressive. In between the seizure, the dog doesn’t go back to normal but display PDE- associated symptoms including confusion, disorientation, signs of depression, confusion, and trouble walking.

Hair Loss

The normal hair loss that a Pug experiences all-year round is referred to as shedding. Causes of thinning coat and odd patterns of hair loss include:

Mange – A Pug pup is susceptible to develop an overabundance of demodex, a microscopic mite found in the hair follicles of the dogs. In mild cases, pet owners may notice hairless lesions around the eyes, trunk, and legs.

Hypothyroidism – This is a health condition caused by the inadequate production of the thyroxine hormone in charge of regulating metabolism by the thyroid glands. This results in thinning of the coat and hair easily falling out on Pug’s various body parts including the neck, back of the legs, and tail.

Stress – Pugs are human oriented dogs that suffer from separation anxiety when left alone for long periods of time. As a coping mechanism, dogs may develop a habit of excessive licking(lick granuloma) which causes hair loss. Separation anxiety and stress also lead to Telogen Effluvium that interferes with the normal hair development in Pugs leading to bald spots, excessive shedding, hair loss, and thinning coat.

Cushing’s Disease – This is a condition that affects senior pugs due to a tumor in the pituitary gland. As a result, it causes increased urination, obesity, lack of energy, thinning of the coat, lesions on the skin, and hair loss on the neck, legs, and perineum.

Other Causes

Allergies – A Pug is susceptible to food, skin, contact, and environmental allergies which cause excessive biting, scratching, itchiness, and licking that result to hair loss. Flea allergy dermatitis also makes the pugs to scratch and lick around the bite area until it is raw.

Hormones – A female Pug that is on the heat cycle may also experience hair loss due to hormonal changes especially an increase in estrogen levels that causes a thinning coat and hair loss. A dam also experiences hair loss after whelping puppies and due to increased nesting behaviors.

Alopecia – This is a medical term for hair loss that is common in older dogs. Alopecia is genetic even though the cause is unknown. Some of the body parts affected by alopecia includes abdomen, chest, inner legs, and throat.

Pug Eye Infection

Eye infection in pugs may be a result of viral or bacterial infection. Although, bacterial eye infection are far more common. Bacteria get an opportunity of invading the eye following dry eye disease, viruses, and trauma to the eye that compromise the local defenses of the eye. Bacterial eye infections are also caused by scratch or injury to the cornea( corneal ulcer). Pugs have particularly large and protruding eyes that may be scratched by plants, claw, and rough play and other foreign materials leading to cornea ulcer.

Unwelcomed visitors such as dust, plant material, debris, fur, and hair in the eyes also lead to bacterial eye infection. Some eye abnormalities such as entropion which causes inward rolling of the eyelid cause injury to the cornea leading to bacterial eye infection.

Common symptoms exhibited by a Pug that is suffering from an eye infection include swelling of the eyelids, squinting due to light sensitivity, pawing at the eye due to pain or itchiness, a clear discharge due to viral infections or a thick-yellowish discharge due to bacterial infections. Dog eye infections also cause an immune response that may include a wide range of symptoms such as a red, squinty eye with a red discharge.

Pug Eye Infection Home Remedy

Once you notice the above symptoms, use saline rinses to flush the eye. This is a short-term solution and should be used to an eye that has a clear discharge and a little redness. Resist using human eye drops as a home remedy to Pug’s eye infection as dogs may have adverse reactions to these medications.

Eye Ulcer

Pugs have large eyes that are prone to cornea injury resulting to eye ulcer or corneal ulcers. Due to their brachycephalic nature, these dogs lack a long snout and prominent skeletal brow ridges that protect the eyes. Eye ulcers are caused by injury to the cornea due to trauma, scratching, puncture, or cut.

Pugs are well known for their playful temperament and combined with their short-muzzled face subject them to infections, foreign bodies, bee stings, dry eyes, facial nerve paralysis, and the inability to close the eyelids. Symptoms that a Pug manifest while suffering from eye ulcer include pain, sensitivity to light, painful and inflamed appearance, constantly closing the eye, and irritability.

Eye Ulcer Treatment

Superficial corneal ulcer caused by scratch or trauma to the cornea are treated through medications for pain, antibiotic therapy, and sometimes drugs that control spasms of the eye muscle preventing Pugs from overly pawing at the eye. To prevent a Pug from rubbing the infected eye, a plastic collar is usually fitted.

Pug Eye Drops

Eye drops may be prescribed for a Pug depending on the eye condition that it is suffering from. If a Pug has eye infection, a pet parent may use eye drops of saline rinses to flush the eye as a home remedy. There are also drops given for dry eye disease, eye boogers, and for cataracts.

Pug Eye Discharge

Eye discharge in Pugs and other dog breeds is medically referred to as eye gunk or eye boogers. It is normal for Pugs to have a whitish grey discharge or a clear discharge that has a white consistency. Eye discharge in Pugs is far more common due to their short muzzled face and protruding large eyes.

However, a thick yellowish green discharge may indicate that your dog is suffering from a bacterial eye infection while a clear discharge with no water consistency is a result of allergy or viral eye infections. A Pug that is suffering from dry eye disease has a cloudy or yellow eye discharge.

Pug Ear Infection

Pugs either have rose or button-shaped ears. Although, the latter is the more preferred standard. Button ears cover the ear canal protecting it from dust, debris, etc. However, these ears also lead to moisture accumulation and inhibition of free air flow that causes ear infection. Pugs like Bulldogs and French Bulldogs are brachycephalic hence they have a flat compressed head which affects the ear canal by making it narrow.

A narrow ear canal provides a moist, dark, and warm environment for yeast and bacteria to thrive. These dogs are also predisposed to ear infections due to allergies, endocrine disorders such as hypothyroidism, injury to the ear canal, moisture accumulation, ear mites, yeast imbalances, excess wax, dirt, or debris, and excessive cleaning. Pugs and other dog breeds are predisposed to three kinds of ear infections, externa, media, and interna otitis respectively.

The most common and less severe ear infection in this breed is externa otitis, which is the inflammation of the cells located in the external ear canal. If left untreated, inflammation spreads to the the middle(media) and inner ear canal(interna) that causes facial paralysis, deafness, and vestibular signs such as disorientation, blurred vision, dizziness, and feeling off-balance.

Common symptoms manifested by a Pug that is suffering from an ear infection includes odor, pain, itchiness, dark discharge, head shaking, scabs in the ears, swelling of the ear canal, and scratching at the affected ear.

Pug Ear Infection Treatment

If the owner notices that the Pug has exhibited the above signs, then he or she should give the vet a call to book an appointment. Upon arrival, you are expected to give a brief history of whether your pooch has suffered from an ear infection before, or it is affected by food and skin allergies which also predispose your pet to ear infections.

If your Pug is in so much pain, the Vet will sedate it before proceeding to conduct a physical examination which involves looking out for the symptoms as well as taking a swab from the affected ear. Thereafter, the ears will be thoroughly cleaned using a cotton ball that has been soaked in a medicated ear cleanser.

While going home, atopical medication and ear cleanser may also be prescribed. In severe cases, anti-inflammatory and oral antibiotic medications are prescribed. The symptoms that your Pug was manifesting may go away after a week or two if the case was uncomplicated. However, severe ear infections, especially those caused by underlying issues may take months to resolve.

If treatment fails, then surgery may be recommended by the vet, a Total Ear Canal Ablation (TECA), which removes the ear canal getting rid of the diseased tissue. Remember to fully and keenly follow the instructions given by the vet. Continue administering the prescribed medications even if the symptoms go away to avoid additional problems such as resistant ear infections.

Some of the other breeds of dogs include:

Poodle.

Golden Retriever.

Labrador Retriever.

Italian Greyhound.

Shiba Inu.

Whippet.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

Boston Terrier.

Yorkshire Terrier.

Belgian Malinois.

Airedale Terrier.

Bull Terrier.

Mini Australian Shepherd.

Australian Shepherd.

Dachshund.

Eyes

A Pug has large, prominent, bold, and globular shaped eyes. The eyes are also dark in color.

Pop Out

Eyes Pop Out is medically known as proptosis, eye prolapse, or Exophthalmos which is the bulging of the eye anteriorly out of the orbit. This condition is very common in brachycephalic dog breeds like pugs, Bulldogs, and Pekingese due to the shallow orbit. Eye pop out is a common result of head trauma and the pressure exerted on the front of the neck too hard on a Pug.

Pug Eye Problems

The most common eye problem that Pugs suffer from is corneal ulcer or eye ulcer due to their large eyes and short-faced muzzles. Eye ulcer also predispose this breed to bacterial eye infections caused by injury or trauma to the cornea. Other eye problems that Pugs suffer from include:

Entropion – this is an eye problem that is caused by the inward folding of the eyelid making the eyelashes to continually rub the cornea causing irritation. This eye problem is usually caused by genetic factors. Symptoms of entropion include watering eyes, decreased vision, redness and pain around the eye, and sensitivity to light.

Cataracts – A pug that is suffering from cataracts has whitish and cloudy pupils that affects its vision. Senior pugs are mostly affected. This eye problem causes vision loss and is treated through surgery.

Dry eye – This is an eye problem that causes the tear glands to produce in adequate tears by the tear glands to keep the eyes moist which results to sores, itchy eyes, and eye infections. Common symptoms of dry eye disease in Pugs include a yellow discharge, pawing at the eye, and a dry eye appearance.

Cherry eye – A prolapsed gland of the eyelid causes protruding of a red tissue from the inside corner of a Pug’s eye that often looks like a third eye.

Distichiasis is an eye condition that leads to the rubbing on the cornea due to extra hairs that grow inside the eyelid. If left untreated, the abnormal hair may lead to chronic eye pain and eye ulcers.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy(PRA) – is a group of inherited degenerative diseases that affects the photoreceptors cells of a Pug eventually leading to blindness.

Names

After a pet parent gets a Pug from a responsible breeder, the next big thing is giving the fur baby a name. Pug names may be inspired by the Chinese origin, personality, food, books, movies, songs, coat color, celebrities, and pop culture.

Regardless of the name that you choose, ensure that the name freely roll off your tongue without making your embarrassed when uttered out loud in public places such as parks and malls.

Pug and other dog breeds understand names that have vowels better,. If the name is long, it will need a nickname. Giving your pet names that rhyme with command words may create confusion. Resist naming your Pug after a family member or guests who frequent your home to avoid confusion.

Names Girl

Annie.
Bella.
Chloe.
Sophie.
Layla.
Esme.
Penny.
Ella.
Emma.
Lucy.
Princess.
Luna.
Daisy, etc.

Names Boy

Leo.
Bruno.
Gus.
Cooper.
Duke.
Freddie.
Jasper.
Luca.
Murphy.
Max.
Rocky.
Otis.
Buddy, etc.

Face

Pugs have a short-muzzled face with wrinkles that should be wiped on a daily basis to avoid skin fold dermatitis. Additionally, the face has a pushed-in nose that doesn’t tolerate extreme heat or humidity. Pugs were purposely bred by Chinese breeders to have wrinkled face. Even though, Bulldogs and French Bulldogs have wrinkled faces, they are not related to Pugs. However, Pekingese are.

Heat

The heat cycle of a female Pug lasts for a period of 2 to 3 weeks. Pugs are toy group of dogs that are experience the first heat cycle between the age of 5 to 8 months. The heat cycle recurs after every 6 months. It is normal for Pugs to have split heats, this where there is spacing during the heat cycle. The heat cycle starts and stops after a few days only to return a few days later. However, this doesn’t mean that a dog has two heat cycles.

Pugs may also experience silent heat cycles where the dog goes through the whole season and doesn’t exhibit any signs. Female pugs become receptive to the males later in the cycle. It is also possible for unspayed female Pug to become pregnant since dogs don’t experience menopause. Common symptoms that a Pug may manifest while on a heat cycle includes increased urination, nesting behaviors, depression, swollen vulva, bloody discharge, tail flagging, lethargy, reduced appetite, and restlessness.

Before breeding Pugs, ensure that both the male and female undergo genetic testing to ensure they have no underlying health issues. It is highly recommended to wait until a female Pug is 2 years old to ensure that it is physically mature to carry a pregnancy with minimal complications. The two-year mark will also give an opportunity to the genetically linked faults the time to express themselves.

Pregnancy Length

The average pregnancy length of a Pug is 63 days with some giving birth between day 58 to 68 after conception. Some of the signs that a Pug manifests when pregnant include: nesting behaviors, enlarged abdomen, weight gain, changes in appetite, decreased activity, discolored nipples, and unusual behavior.

Litter Size

A female Pug can have a litter size of 1 to 9 puppies, although this breed has an average litter size of 4 to 6 puppies. Majority pugs don’t whelp puppies due to the large neonatal skulls that may get stuck in the birth canal. Pugs deliver through cesarean.

Speed

The average speed that a Pug can run depending with health and age is 3 to 5 miles per hour ( approx. 0.8 to 1.4 km/h). However, the fastest Pug named Emma reportedly run with a speed of 18.6 miles per hour( approx. 30km/h) during the 9th annual International Pug meeting in Germany in 2018.

Neck Size

The neck size of a Pug is equivalent to the collar size since a collar rests around the neck. The neck size | collar size of a Pug is 12 to 16 inches ( approx. 30 to 41 cm).

Pug Colors

Pugs are categorized according to the coat color. There are two types of coat colors according to AKC Black and Fawn ( Silver Fawn and Apricot Fawn).

Teeth

An adult Pug has a total of 42 set of permanent teeth. At birth, a pup is not born with no teeth. From the age of 6 weeks, milk teeth starts growing in until a Pug has a total of 28 baby teeth. At the age of 16 to 24 weeks, baby teeth fall out as permanent teeth erupt. Starting to brush the permanent teeth of a Pug at the age of 24 weeks helps a pet to accept life long oral care. Irregular teeth brushing causes various teeth problems such as bad breathe, gum inflammation, and periodontal disease.

Pug Allergies

A Pug is prone to various forms of allergies including inhalant, environmental, contact, food, and skin allergies. The allergens that cause inflammation in Pugs are discussed below:

Skin Allergies – Pugs are prone to skin inflammation that is caused by food, environmental, and contact allergies. This breed also has wrinkles and skin folds that may lead to skin fold dermatitis if they are wiped on a daily basis.

Food allergies – A Pug may suffer both from food allergies and food intolerance which exhibit the same symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea. However, the former results in an immune response.

Contact allergies – These allergens cause inflammation to the skin once they make physical contact. Some of contact allergens that affect Pugs include plastics bowls, medication, lawn chemicals, grooming products such as shampoos, carpet cleaning detergents, some toys, bed linens, and latex. These allergies mostly affect paws, belly sides, and around the mouth resulting to itchiness, scratching, biting, and licking. If left unattended, it may result in sores, hair loss, and secondary skin infections.

Airborne | Inhalant allergens – Pugs are brachycephalic and are prone to breathing problems. Some of the inhalant allergies that affect this breed include perfumes, pollen, ragweed, cigarette smoke, etc.

Environmental Allergies

This allergy may be bothersome to some pets in certain regions than others, relocating may worsen or easy environmental allergies for your pet. Some of the environmental allergies that cause inflammation in this breed includes pollen, grass, trees, ragweed, house molds, dust and dust mites, fleas, mites, and mosquitoes. Flea bites cause flea allergy dermatitis that results in excess scratching, biting, and licking until the skin around the bite is raw. Symptoms that a Pug exhibits when affected by environmental allergies include a runny nose, swollen eyes, and itchiness on various body parts including paws, ears, belly sides, groin, muzzle, armpits, around the eyes, wrists, and between the toes.

Pug Allergies Symptoms

Dry flaky skin.
Frequent ear infections.
Licking or chewing at the the paws and feet.
Coughing.
Sneezing.
Bloodshot eyes.
Vomiting.
Diarrhea.
Nasal congestion.
Runny nose.
Swollen eyes, ears, earflaps, lips, or eyelids.
Hives or skin sores.
Constant licking.

Pug Skin Allergies

Pugs are prone to skin allergies due to skin fold dermatitis(Intertrigo). This is an inflammatory condition of wrinkles and skin folds aggravated by lack of air circulation, moisture, heat, friction, and maceration. If left untreated, it may result to yeast and bacterial infection. Symptoms of skin fold dermatitis is a red skin and smell between the folds.

Skin allergies manifest on various body parts including the ears, belly sides, ankles, groin, and muzzle. Skin inflammation is also caused by flea allergy dermatitis, other environmental allergens, contact, and food allergies. Flea allergy affects the base of the tail and the skin becomes red, scabbed, and inflamed.

Pug Food Allergies

True food allergies in Pugs are rare as compared to food intolerance. For this reason, pet parents may confuse the former for the latter. However, food allergies result in an immune response which is accompanied by a wide range of symptoms from skin conditions symptoms such as hives, crusting lesions, facial swelling, pruritus, and dermatitis to gastrointestinal stress including acute vomiting and/or diarrhea.

Even though food intolerance or sensitivities also cause vomiting and diarrhea in Pugs, they don’t result in an immune response. However, food sensitivities is result of the gradual response to an offending ingredient in the diet or snacks of a pooch. Some of the ingredients that cause food intolerance include dairy products, food additives, preservatives, corn, soy, wheat gluten, beef, lamb, chicken, pork, turkey, etc.

Signs of food intolerance in Pugs include poor skin and coat, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, chronic ear infections, and foot infections. Pet parents are highly recommended to work along with the Vet to manage the symptoms and find the offending ingredient in the diet of the Pug.

Pug Allergies Treatment

Diagnosing allergies often is complicated since different allergies exhibit similar symptoms. Therefore, what a vet does is to rule out any other condition that may be the cause of the symptoms that a Pug is manifesting.

If most signs point to an allergy, an allergy test will be conducted. Contact allergens are easy to treat since the allergen will be removed for instance the change of grooming products, use of steel feeding bowls, change of bed linens, and carpet cleaning detergents. Flea allergy is also easy to treat by applying a product that kills fleas before they can bite.

Giving your pet probiotics helps in reducing inflammation related to allergenic reactions while also supporting and strengthening the digestive and immune systems of your Pug.

Treating food allergies may involve a series of methods including:

Elimination diet that involves a food trial of feeding your Pug a novel that is usually one source of protein and carbohydrate for 12 weeks. During this period, the Vet monitors for reactions, change the foods, and then introduce challenge tests to check for allergies again and again. When your Pug is on the elimination method diet, avoid giving your pet table food, supplements, treats, or flavored medications as they could influence the elimination diet results.
Blood test treatment may provide an indication of a food allergy.
A vet may also offer medication to help relieve food allergy symptoms which may include oral antihistamine. There are also creams offered to soothe the sore skin.
If the vet has not been able to identify the foods that your Pug is allergic to, a switch to a special diet for life may be recommended such as feeding your dog a raw diet.

Harness

Pugs are prone to breathing attacks and reverse sneezing due to compact breathing passageways. Dogs that have breathing problems are recommended to use a harness while on leash because they don’t put pressure on the neck. However, harnesses don’t have a place to carry a tag. Therefore, it is best to get a harness with a tag or generally use a collar for carrying the ID and Rabies Tag and a harness to attach the leash.

Muzzle

Although Pugs are not aggressive, they are also muzzled in certain situations especially when a pet parent is not sure of how the dog will react to a new stimulus. Muzzles are also used for dogs that are in pain since they are prone to biting or nipping. This device comes in handy when transporting a dog to the vet due to an injury.

When choosing a muzzle, remember that Pugs have breathing issues. Therefore, a muzzle should only be worn for short intervals and it shouldn’t be too tight. AKC encourages dog owners to create positive associations with the accessory through use of treats and praise so that they may be comfortably used when they are really needed. However, a muzzle is not used to correct behavior issues such as chewing, biting, and barking.

Pug Dog Food

Depending on the time and budget of a dog owner, he or she may decide whether to feed dry kibble food, wet food, raw food, or homemade food. Regardless of the food that you choose to feed your dog, ensure that it meets all its nutritional requirements based on age and activity level.

The best way to know whether you are overfeeding or underfeeding your pet is to take them to the vet about their weight and health. However, you can also tell by checking the physique of your dog, if you can see your dog’s ribs, chances are they are being underfed. If a dog parent cannot feel the ribs of the Pug under the coat, then chances are that it is being overfeed. Pugs are prone to obesity. Therefore, food bowls should not be left out all day after meals since these dogs have a tendency of overfeeding.

When you get a Pug from a breeder, chances are that you will want to switch to another quality of food than the one it was previous feeding on. Gradually do this by mixing small portions of new food with old food for the first week. During the second week, feed your Pug with the same amount of the new food and old food.

On the third week feed your pet with 1/4 of old food and 3/4 of the new food. During the fourth week, totally switch to new food. For a pet parent who wants to feed commercial dry or wet food, they should purchase food that are specifically designed for puppies, adults, and senior dogs.

Pug Feeding Chart

The amount of food that a Pug eats is determined by various factors including metabolism, age, activity level, and body build.

A Pug pup between the age of 2 to 3 months should feed four times a day a total of 1/4 cup of dry food or 3 ounces of wet food.

A Pug puppy that is between the age of 3 to 6 months should feed 3 times a day a total of 1/3 cup of dry food or 4 ounces of wet food.

Between the age of 6 to 12 months, a Pug should feed twice a day a total of 3/4 dry food or 9 ounces of wet food.

From 1 to 8 years, should feed 2 times a day a total of 1/2 cup of dry food or 6 ounces of wet food.

From the age of 8 years, a Pug should feed twice a day a total of 1/3 cup of dry food or 4 ounces of wet food.

N/B A dog that is not spayed or neutered may eat more than the average dog. An expectant female Pug also needs to feed twice the amount of food that an adult dog would need.

Ears

A pug has dark, small, thin, and soft ears. There are two kinds of ears; button and rose. However, preferences are given to the former. A button ear is the one where the ears folds inward towards the outer corner of the eye and lies against the face of the Pug and the entire outer ear canal is covered. Whereas a rose ear similarly looks like a button ear even though it is not folded over. Furthermore, the outer ear canal is shaped by a burr that forms the rose-shaped ear.

Head

Pugs have a massive, large, and round head that is not apple-headed.

Head Shaking

A Pug instinctively shakes its head to relieve irritation, itchiness, or discomfort. Head shaking is also an effective way of clearing the ear canal of insects, dirt, or water. However, if the dog continuously shakes the head it may be a symptom of ear infection.

Tail

A Pug has a tightly curled tail over the hip. Some of the dogs have a double curl which is perfection.

Tail Problems

One of the reasons why a pug can hold its tail at a weird angle is due to enlarged anal glands that need to be expressed by a vet or a professional groomer.

Nose

A Pug is brachycephalic and has a pushed in nose that is black in color.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is Pug a Bulldog

No. It has been verified that Pugs and Bulldogs are not actually related through DNA testing. Although, they share their origin with Pekingese.

Are Pugs Aggressive

No. Pugs are strong-willed but rarely aggressive. They also make good pets for families that have kids.

Are Pugs Hypoallergenic Dogs

No. Pugs are heavy shedders. Shedding allows the spread of dander around the house which triggers allergic reactions in people who suffer from dog allergies. Apart from dander, hair, urine, saliva, and mucus also have a protein that cause inflammation in people who suffer from dog allergies.

Pugs Quick Facts

Even though brachycephalic, Pugs are not genetically related to Bulldogs and French Bulldogs.
A Pug may have a rose or button shaped ear. However, button ears are the preferred standard for the breed.
Due to their vulnerability to breathing problems, Pugs have been banned by several airlines from flying in cargos.