PUG DOG Breed Profile

A Pug dog. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Description: The Pug is a small dog, considered by some to be a dwarf Mastiff. It is a solid, compact animal with the dogs measuring 12 to 14 inches and weighing up to 20 pounds. The bitches are generally two inches shorter and have a weight of 13 to 18 pounds. The Pug is well known for its short, wrinkled face and a curled tail that rests on its back. The baby Pugs are sometimes called Puglets. The Pug's coat color can be black, fawn (often with a darker facial mask), silver, or apricot. Other names for the Pug include Mops, Chinese Pug Dog, or Carlin. The Pug can live for up to 15 years.

History: Two schools of thought contend over the origin of the Pug. It is the most generally accepted that the Pug came into being in Asia and is a descendant of the Pekingese. It was mentioned in the writings of Confucius and was a favorite among the Chinese royalty and nobility. The Pug was also kept in Tibetan monasteries. It was the Dutch East India Company that brought the Pug to Europe in the 16th century. The Pug was almost instantly popular and is featured in a self-portrait of the artist Hogarth.

Temperament: The Pug is an affectionate, outgoing dog that loves to be around people. It is something of a clown and often amuses its family with its playful antics. The Pug is very good with children and enjoys playing with them. The Pug is a confident and alert dog that will keep an eye on the house, without excessive happiness. It gets along fine with other dogs and family pets.

Health Issues: Due to its short muzzle, the Pug is susceptible to the usual problems that affect brachycephalic breeds. The Pug will snore and wheeze and can suffer from "snort attacks", which are alarming but not dangerous. The Pug can suffer from hip dysplasia, and this occurs in a majority of these dogs. Be careful that your Pug does not become overweight as this can make breathing and joint problems worse. A very serious ailment is Pug Dog Encephalitis, which causes brain inflammation in young dogs. A cesarean section is often necessary to deliver the pups.

Grooming: The lighter colored Pugs, fawn and apricot, can be fairly heavy shedders, especially seasonally, and should be brushed regularly. The black Pug sheds much less and does not need to be tended to as much. The wrinkly face of the Pug needs to be kept clean and dry as infections can develop in the moist wrinkle creases.

Living Conditions: The Pug is perfect for indoor living, being equally comfortable in a house or apartment. It should have a daily walk to keep it healthy, but these should be skipped in hot weather. Because of the short face of the Pug, it must be protected from both heat and cold. It can suffer heat stroke very easily and should be kept cool during the summer. The Pug will want to be with its human family as much as possible.

By Scott Allan Lipe - Articles

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The PUG - Little Dog in Charge

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Small and spunky, the pug dates back over 2000 years. Their story is rich in history and they have been favorite subjects for many painters. They weigh between 14-18 pounds and are 10 inches to 14 inches in height. They are known as Mops in Germany and Carlin in France.

The Pug comes in many colors including black, apricot-fawn or silver. They are AKC recognized. Their short, smooth, glossy, fine coat is very easy to groom. They only need an occasional brushing and only need to be bathed with necessary. Be sure to clean the creases in their face regularly. Pugs have been known to love attention and they typically enjoy the attention that a good brushing gives them. Their curly tail, flat muzzle, and prominent eyes are three of their best-known appearance traits.

Born to be a companion dog, the Pug loves attention and being with their family. They need a family that will not leave them alone for long periods of time on a regular basis and does best in homes where someone is around most of the time. They are a lap dog and enjoy relaxing with their family, but they also have an energetic side and need plenty of play time. Be sure that you don't overexert them. They are happy-go-lucky little dogs. They do well with other pets and dogs, but early socialization is recommended. They have an *I'm in charge* attitude with their family and other pets. Due to this reason and their small size, they work best with older, well-behaved children. They will let you know if they hear an unfamiliar sound or if someone is at the door making them excellent watchdogs.

Dating back to 700 BC, the Pug originated in China. There is a debate among many groups as to which dogs were used to develop the pug. Pugs were mainly used as companion dogs for royalty and nobility. They were introduced to Europe through trade ships traveling between China and Europe. It is said that a Pug saved the life of William, Prince of Orange by alerting him that the Spaniards were approaching. Napoleon's wife used a Pug to send a secret message to him when she was in prison. Winston Churchill's wife called him by the nickname Pug. Many of you might be familiar with the famous pug Frank that appeared in the movies Men in Black and Men in Black II.

With their lovable, happy nature and need for affection and companionship, the Pug makes an excellent dog for families looking for a lap dog with a take charge attitude. They enjoy traveling or staying at home as they are happy whenever and wherever they are with their family. Their whimsical looks and nature make them hard to resist.

By Evan Richer - Article Source: EzineArticles

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PUG Dog Information Prospective Pug Dog Owners Must Know

Pugs are cute and comical, a great pet for any family but if you are thinking about adopting one, there is some Pug information that you need to be aware of.

The gene pool of the 10,000 pugs in the UK is the equivalent of only 50 individuals.
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Before adopting any pet, you need to make sure that you can provide for the comfort and safety of the pet. Pugs are not outdoor dogs, so you must be prepared to keep the pug indoors which means setting up a proper sleeping area for your new furry friend.

Also, if you are not home during the day, you will need to think about where you will keep the Pug when you are at work. Will you use a crate or let him roam free? Decide this beforehand so you can be ready with the appropriate supplies.

Pugs are sociable animals which make them good family pets, but this also means that you will need to dedicate time to spend with your pug. You can't leave your pug alone for extended lengths of time or you may find that he gets up to quite a bit of mischief.

Pug dog information pertaining to exercise is encouraging since they don't really require much. In fact, a lot of Pugs are actually quite lazy and you will probably have to do a bit of work to encourage him to go out for a walk. Be that as it may, walks are a vital part of any dogs day so you should plan for at least 20 minutes of walk time each day.

When it comes to grooming, your Pug does have some special needs. One of the most interesting features of the Pug is his wrinkly facial skin, but these same wrinkles can actually be a health hazard for your pug because they can harbor dirt and germs. Therefore, you need to take the time to clean in between these folds periodically. Although Pugs have a short coat, they do shed so frequent brushing is recommended. Just like any other dog, you will need to trim your Pugs nails, keep his ears clean and brush his teeth.

When it comes to feeding a Pug, one need to practice restraint. This is because the Pug can tend to overeat and will easily gain weight. Excess weight on any dog and on Pugs, in particular, can cause a variety of health issues so in order to keep your Pug healthy, make sure you only feed him good quality food and don't over do it!

Of course, no Pug dog information discussion would be complete without stating that your Pug should have regular Veterinarian visits and that you should bring your dog in should you notice any change in behavior.

Pugs are wonderful companions and can live 15 years or more provided they get the proper care and nutrition.

By Lee Dobbins Article Source: EzineArticles

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