Pug – a Noble Little Charmer with a Scrunchy Face and Big Eyes
07.10.2022 - Reading time: 4 minutes
"A life without a pug is possible. But pointless," said Loriot. And with good reason: the pug is a lively charmer and loyal companion, yet loving and affectionate. You cannot resist its scrunchy face and big eyes. But do not be fooled: pugs know how to pull out all the stops to wrap their humans around their paws.
Newsletter Pug
| Breed | Pug |
| Origin | China |
| Classification | Society and companion dog |
| Size | up to 32 centimetres shoulder height |
| Weight | 6.5 to 9 kg |
| Physique | curled tail, short, round head, slight underbite, robust, compact build |
| Eyes | slightly protruding
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| Ears | button or rose ears
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| Coat and colour | Structure short, soft, smooth; colours beige, black, apricot, white or silver with black face mask |
| Special features | Sensitive to heat and physical exertion
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| Nature | affectionate, funny, brave and agile
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| Care | daily brushing, special care for ears and skin folds necessary
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| Health | prone to respiratory and eye diseases
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The emperor's little dog
The Pug is an aristocratic dog. Its origins go back 2,000 years to China, where as an “emperor’s dog” it could only be kept by monarchs. Pugs arrived in Europe in the 16th century via Dutch traders. Here they soon became extremely popular in aristocratic circles – Queen Victoria kept a whole pack of pugs. As a fashionable animal, the droll dog quickly became en vogue in fine ladies’ circles. At the same time, the breed began to degenerate, since the pug as a live accessory in the salons was not leading a dog’s life appropriate to its species. At the end of the 19th century, interest in the pug faded; currently, however, it is experiencing a revival.
The pug - character
Small, but bold: pugs tend to have delusions of grandeur when confronted with other dogs. They plod through the world with basic confidence and react sensitively to moods. The pug does not tolerate loneliness, it wants to be involved everywhere. If it feels left behind, it shows it: it communicates with its humans with facial expressions, gestures and its sound repertoire of grunts, snorts and grumbles. Pugs are intelligent, but also headstrong and occasionally stubborn. Consistent training is indispensable from puppyhood.
The pug as a pet dog
With a shoulder height of up to 32 cm, the pug is one of the so-called mini-Molossus breed. It was not born to be a sporting or guard dog, but made a career for itself in other areas. It is an ideal social dog, especially for senior citizens. Its affection and need for physical contact predestine it for this. Due to its small size, it is well suited as a city and flat dog. The pug is also a good choice for dog beginners and gets along well with children and other pets. Pugs like water, balancing and retrieving games, but are by no means sporty. Jogging or running by a bike is not for them. They much prefer ground-based doggy pleasures such as extensive digging and romping. The pug loves to climb sofas and elevated points. However, climbing stairs is unhealthy; it is better to carry you pet than to make it walk.
Pug health and care
The care of this dog breed is demanding. The coat, mostly in the pug colours beige or black, is easy to care for. Regular brushing is necessary, however, because the pug tends to shed. The face requires extensive care: the skin folds must be kept clean and supple, and special care products are available from the vet for the ears. Regular cleaning of the eyes and nose is also a must. In addition, pay attention to a balanced diet: pugs tend to be overweight, which they cannot compensate for through exercise.
Due to its short nose, the animals have a breeding-related predisposition to respiratory diseases. Breeders today are trying to give the pug a little more “nose” again. The protruding eyes cause problems with the cornea. About one in one hundred pugs suffers from Pug Dog Encephalitis, an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system. Make sure you buy your pug from a reputable breeder and also find out about the parents! You will then probably enjoy your pug for a long time.
Important note on the cultivated breed
The “Qualzuchtgutachten” (expert report on torture breeding), drawn up in 1999 on behalf of the Federal Government and with the cooperation of the German Animal Welfare Association, recommends a breeding ban for hairless, extremely short-headed breeds (so-called brachycephalic breeds) and others in which extremes in body structure (very long back, severely bent legs, spinal changes, excessive fur growth, etc.) make a healthy life impossible.
As a responsible pet owner, who naturally attaches great importance to a healthy, unimpaired life for his four-legged friend, these indications should definitely be taken into account when deciding on a suitable breed, just as the question of excellent character traits.
Sources:
https://www.federal-veterinary-association.de/veterinary-surgeon/abusive-breeding/expert-report-on-torture-breeding.pdf
https://www.veterinary-association.de/information/background/pets/abusive-breeding/
