12 things you should know before owning a pug
The moment I adopted a pug, my life changed.
I adopted Wilma quite quickly as I had the opportunity to save her from an undesirable situation. I instantly fell in love, but with little experience in owning such a breed there were a few surprises in store.
If you are thinking about owning a pug I would recommend doing your research beforehand & spend some time looking after one if you can. They are such an incredibly loyal, fun & loving breed - yes they are cute - but they're not an accessory. Taking on a pug is a hella' lot of responsibility. I don't know what it's like to have a child, but it's pretty much like having a child*.
*awaits outraged comment from parent*
There are some things to seriously think about before you commit to owning a pug...
1. Your social life will change
Have I told you pugs are the best thing ever & you will want to be with them ALL THE TIME? They are also loyal little things, they will follow you like a shadow & are therefore prone to separation anxiety. It is particularly unfair to leave this breed home alone for long periods, so have a think about how much time you can offer, or if you can rely on anyone for regular doggy-sitting duties.
2. Your clothes will never be the same again
Fawn pugs have a double coat, and therefore malt. A lot. The days of stepping outside in a hair-less outfit are a distant memory. Hoovering will become a daily occurrence & you will avoid taking passengers in your car for fear they will step out resembling the Abominable Snowman.
3. They eat like there's no tomorrow
For such a small breed you wouldn't think they have a lot of room for food, but they damn sure MAKE room. Aaaand it goes straight to their waistline. You will need to limit their food intake & measure quantities or they will plump out in no time. Don't give in to their pleading little eyes. They know how to play you...
4. There may be some grim grooming required
Pugs have notoriously runny eyes, more often than not there will be a nice juicy eye bogey waiting for you to wipe away/haphazardly rub onto your fresh white t-shirt.
Their facial skin folds need to be cleaned every day*. These cute little wrinkles can harbour some pretty gruesome bugs, especially as pugs submerge their entire face into the food bowl at dinner time. Their ears need a clean too, I use doggy ear wipes.
*There are a lot of techniques to clean a pug's skin fold, but having tried & tested most, I recommend holding their fold back & getting in there with a Malacetic cleansing wipe. Make sure you get right to the back of the fold & don't get it in their eyes. Dry it out thoroughly afterwards with a clean tissue. Conclude the session with a treat.
Some pugs may need frequent trips to the vets to empty their *ahem* anal glands (you can do it yourself... but...)
Their claws need trimming every now & then. This is THE WORST thing you could ever do to a pug. They infamously HATE anyone whom dare approach their precious little paws with that monstrous nail clipper & will squirm hell on earth to stop. Yeah.. good luck with that.
5. They find it difficult to breathe
Yes there are some health issues than come with the breed. Because of their shortened snout, their airways are obstructed.
Most brachycephalic breeds (flat-faced) are not as healthy as their long-nosed peers. This is a big thing to consider as pugs will most likely need BOAS surgery (nostrils widened and elongated soft palette cut back) in order for them to live a more comfortable life. If you can, select a pug with a longer nose and don’t support breeders that use unhealthy pugs!
It’s not wise to use a collar on a pug as it can add yet more obstruction to their airway. Always use a harness, and get a comfortable necktie so they can still wear their ID tag at all times.
6. There may be expensive vet visits
Pugs are also prone to eye ulcers, epilepsy, skin fold infections, kidney stones, bad teeth & even acne.
All pedigrees come with certain health problems. Make sure you get the best pet insurance cover.
7. They DO NOT like the rain
Or water for that matter. No puddles/ponds/hose pipes plz.
8. You hear them before you see them
Because of the pug's shortened snout, they can be quite noisy breathers. And they snore. Loudly. A trait I personally find endearing. There's nothing sweeter than the sound of a little piggy pug snorting in search of crumbs on the floor.
9. They aren't great at walking long distances or summer days out
If you picture yourself spending long sunny days walking for miles along the Cornish coastline, dog by your side, then a pug probably isn't the right dog for you. They try their best to keep up, but can tire easily & are more suited to frequent short walks.
A pug's breathing difficulties are heightened in hot weather & should be kept in the shade. NEVER LEAVE THEM IN A CAR. They will overheat & die.
10. They have no sense of personal space
Your face? Perfect place to sit.
11. They aren't really 'doggy' dogs
This may just be my pug (as I have seen other pugs chase balls & have a swim), but Wilma has no interest in playing in the park. It is below her. Throw a ball & she will run away from it. She reluctantly has a paddle in the sea if the weather is hot, but there will be no games of fetch & frisby is out of the question.
This is not to say that they aren't fun. When the moment takes them, pugs have a funny 5 minutes & run laps of the lounge. They are partial to a game of chase.
12. You will never be alone again
Private visit to the loo? Think again. Pugs were bred originally as lap dogs to keep Chinese emperors company & they certainly are good at it.
With all of this being said, they are an amazing breed - Wilma makes me laugh every single day & her love is truly unconditional. If you want a pug, please consider putting your name on a waiting list to adopt a rescue pug.
A lot of people are unaware that pugs are often mistreated. They are cute, but are often victims of their own beauty & exploited as money-making breeding machines. They can be kept in awful inhumane conditions.
You can adopt a pug from charities such as The Pug Dog Welfare & Rescue Association, Wales & West of England Pug Dog Club Rescue, The French & Pug Dog Foundation or Muffin Pug Rescue.
If you have any questions about pug ownership, let me know!
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About the Author
Helen Penny is a designer & pug owner based in South London.
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