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Pug breed guide
The American Kennel Club calls the Pug once the mischievous companion of Chinese emperors and later the mascot of Holland's royal House of Orange, adored today by millions around the world and living to love and be loved in return.
Its motto is the Latin phrase multum in parvo, a lot in a little and a large round head, big sparkling eyes and a wrinkled brow give it human-like expressions.
Temperament
Pug owners say their breed is the ideal house dog, happy in city or country, with kids or old folks. It has an even, stable temperament, great charm and an outgoing, loving disposition.
Pugs live to please their people, so they are easy to train, but their feelings are easily hurt and harsh training methods should never be used.
Lifespan
Pugs live 13 to 15 years. The dark, appealing eyes are one of the main attractions and one of the vulnerable spots, with corneal ulcers and dry eye known to occur.
Like all flat-faced breeds, Pugs sometimes have breathing problems and do poorly in sunny, hot or humid weather and the Pug Dog Club of America's website has detailed health information.
Care
The short, smooth, glossy coat needs minimal maintenance but does shed and weekly brushing with a medium-bristle brush, rubber mitt or hound glove removes loose hair. Pugs need baths only when they get into something messy.
Given the chance, a Pug will happily spend much of the day on the sofa, which combined with a fondness for eating makes obesity a real possibility. Daily moderate exercise such as walks or play sessions keeps the breed fit.
History
The Pug is an ancient breed that may be traced back some 2,000 years. The emperors of ancient China preferred flat-faced toy dogs and the Pekingese, Shih Tzu and Pug were all developed as refined pets of the emperor, his family and the imperial court.
Pugs were a closely held treasure that outsiders could get only as a gift and the breed's career as a citizen of the world began in the 1500s, when Dutch traders returned to Europe with specimens.
AKC trait ratings
| Trait | AKC rating | Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Energy Level | 3 of 5 | Couch Potato to High Energy |
| Trainability Level | 4 of 5 | Self-Willed to Eager to Please |
| Shedding Level | 4 of 5 | No Shedding to Hair Everywhere |
| Barking Level | 1 of 5 | Only To Alert to Very Vocal |
| Adaptability Level | 5 of 5 | Lives For Routine to Highly Adaptable |
| Good With Young Children | 5 of 5 | Not Recommended to Good With Children |
| Good With Other Dogs | 4 of 5 | Not Recommended to Good With Other Dogs |
| Watchdog/Protective Nature | 3 of 5 | What's Mine Is Yours to Vigilant |