The Pug: Curious, Social and Adorable

Thinking about adopting a pug? These happy little dogs have been bred to be fantastic companions due to their cheerful dispositions and small size, and their natural curiosity has been adored for generations - for over 2,000 years, in fact! Pugs were once prized by Chinese royalty, alongside other breeds like Shih Tzus and Pekingese.

Since being brought to Europe in the 1600s, this loveable dog breed has taken the world by storm. We've seen them on our movie screens, in our neighborhoods - and you may have considered adopting a pug of your own. But how do you care for a pug, and what is living with one like? If you are thinking about adopting a pug, here are some facts about pugs you should keep in mind.

Living with a Pug

Pugs are small dogs; they will only grow to be around a foot tall and weigh somewhere between 15 and 18 pounds. They're very recognizable due to their small stature, black muzzle, wrinkled faces and short snouts. Pugs can be light colored or all black. When it comes to how pugs behave, they're a very curious breed, and they often can't help but search out new things to do!

Pugs love to eat, and owners should keep an eye on how much and how often they eat, as they generally will not self-regulate. Pugs also require regular exercise to help prevent them from becoming overweight. Specifically, pugs benefit from a little bit of light activity every day - half an hour of short walks and playtime will be great for your pug. Pugs are prone to overheating, however, so be mindful of this when your pug exercises in hot weather. Their flat faces make it more difficult for them to breathe, which can cause them to have issues when overexerted.

Coat Care and Bathing Requirements

Pugs are a short-haired dog breed, and as such, they shed a lot. Pugs benefit from weekly brushings with a medium-bristle brush or grooming mitt, but due to their short coats, they won't require professional grooming for their coats very often. You can bathe them at home every three to four weeks using a moisturizing pet shampoo. Like other dogs, they'll also need regular nail trims to avoid overgrown toenails that can cause pain in their paws.

Due to their wrinkles, pugs are prone to collecting dirt or debris in their skin folds. This dirt and debris can cause irritation and even infection, so pugs will need their skin folds to be carefully and thoroughly cleaned. Specially designed dog wrinkle wipes can be used to gently clean and remove build-up between wrinkles, nose ropes, skin folds and in and around tail pockets, which some pugs have. The wrinkle wipes from Eye Envy® not only clean away dirt, dust and debris, they also help kill the bacteria that harbor in these damp creases that do not get any airflow.

You will also have to pay special attention to your pug's face, as pugs are susceptible to developing tear stains. Invest in effective yet natural tear stain remover products to help keep your pug's face looking fresh and clean.