Tell me about Pugs...

[adventure_woman]

A while back I posted about bulldogs. I have told poor DH that we can't afford one right now...we don't have that much discretionary income. SO, I think we may have compromised on a pug. Tell me about them. Good/bad/etc. We have a 4 yr old, 15mth old, and 2 cats. Backyard that is not fenced in (yet...on my wish list)

 

[Princesca]

You have to be verrrry careful with pugs. A friend of mine breeds them. She says that they are seriously prone to overheating, because their nose structure doesn't allow them to breathe as well as other dogs. They are also prone to their eyeballs popping out of their heads, because their eyes are not deep set. Like all pure-bred dogs, they are more prone to genetic problems as well, like hip and joint problems, allergies, and other defects.

My personal experience with pugs is that they are also high strung. The only dog that's ever bitten me was a pug. I'm sure they're not all that way, but I also know that pug is not kept in the sort of home that would abuse a dog, either.

May I ask, is there a reason you can't adopt a shelter puppy? Depending on where you get them from, the adoption fee is also tax deductible. We got our 80-lb. mutt at an adoption agency and couldn't be happier.

 

[poohguys]

We dont have one but my friend does. They have 3 kids (age 13 to 6) and the dog hass been fine with them. I know that since the pugs have a pushed in nose they can have breathing problems. Also you have to watch taking them out when it is really hot/humid-they do not do well. Their dog will run away if it is off the leash. They also have two cats that he gets along fine with and he gets along fine with my dog.

Good luck. I have always thought they were cute

 

[zippy2]

If you get a puppy from a breeder make sure you get one from a reputable breeder not a backyard breeder. You are less likely to have health problems. You can contact the breed club. Also a rescue is a good place to get a grown dog, often they are fostered so they would have a good idea of their temperament.
Pugs do tend to be good with kids, one of the better small dogs.

 

[furb & dez]

As others have said, there are health problems to worry about, as well as overheating. Due to the facial structure, they can have breathing problems, and usually snore. In addition, you must keep their facial wrinkles clean to avoid infection. Also, due to the breathing issues, they are usually little fart monsters as well.

Pugs are the Barbies of the dog world... they love to be the center of attention and generally aren't too bright (generalization, of course), but are usually very sweet.

 

[Princesca]

Ooh yeah, I forgot the face gunk stuff.

You can probably find some good Pug 101 vids on YouTube as well.

Google "pug rescue" for your town, too. My friend the breeder says that there are often active pug rescue groups because time on the street, in the heat, can be so dangerous for them. So pug lovers are especially vigilant.

 

[momto2inKC]

We had one about 14 years ago. Like others have mentioned, they do have their health issues. Ours was attacked by a dog and had his eye ripped right out We eventually re-homed him to a good friend of ours with no kids because that became an issue with him in our home.

 

[Shanna-like-Banana]

My dad & stepmom have a Pug,

that poor thing is on her last leg, she 5? or 6 ?

Before she was 1 she had to have hip surgery.

Shes had endless health issues, many appts for breathing problems, eye infections, etc.

About a year ago they discovered she is diabetic and needs insuilin shots and special formula food. The vet says she has like 6 months, if that.

She is a very sweet girl, but she has never really seemed like much of a "pet" she has the take it or leave it personality. Which if you want a loving snuggle pup, they are not it, they are more content just doing what they want to do.

 

[Tannermommy]

We have two pugs. A fawn female (age 7) and a black male (age 5). We have have two kids age 9 and 7.

The pugs are the best dogs ever. Both are sweet, smart, and other than yearly vet visits and heartworm pills have no health issues/expenses. We do use a wet wipe every week or so to clean their sweet faces. No issues with kids or friends (and my 7 year old and her little friend dresses the male up and plays with him all day...today they were hosting a talk show and he was the featured guest!) Both are lap dogs and want to be included with the family. They have never bitten anyone or even growled. They sleep with us at the foot of the bed and yes, both snore (but no more than my hubby)! We feed them once per day with a mix of dry food and wet food that we purchase at the grocery store.

We live in Alabama so heat is a concern but no more than any other dog. We let them out for bathroom breaks and they like to go and play with the kids.

Overall, we love our pugs!! They really are great family dogs.

 

[cbg1027]

I'm not trying to sound rude, but if you can't afford a bulldog, why could you afford a pug? The cost for any dog from a reputable breeder should run fairly similar for any breed.

Also, the purchase of the dog isn't the biggest cost you'll face - it's the continued care for the dog throughout it's life. If money is an issue, can you commit to caring for a dog for 12-18 years? Who knows what kind of health issues an dog you get could have.

Any breed will come with it's own specific set of health concerns. As pp's mentioned, Pugs have breathing issues and can overheat very easily. They get a lot of eye issues as well and require daily cleaning of the folds on their face.

I would also like to encourage you to get a rescued dog. There are plenty of breed specific rescue organizations and their adoption fees typically only run around a few hundred dollars, as opposed to a dog direct from a breeder which will run $1000+.

 

[twooley2]

we have a pug we got her after she was weaned from the mother. Best dog ever. They can not get overheated or be taken on long walks that would cause that. He is smart as a whip and will play and run till he just cant take no more. He wears out quick because of his breathing as I am sure most pugs would. They like to eat everything . Ours will eat carrots, yogurt, dog food and never chews on anyones belongings. Had him for 3 yrs no health problems .We had him neutered and he settled down a lot. Ours has gotten better as he ages. They do shed a lot... warning

 

[Lorix2]

A family member of mine has a pug. He is very high strung and jumpy to the point he scratches up your legs and is very persistent. I notice they sneeze quite a bit and the fur, omigosh, I've never seen a dog shed so much. Every inch of my uncle's home is covered in fine hair. Every blanket has fur woven and embedded into it including his coach and bedding, there's no keeping up with it, even after vacuuming and sweeping. I am highly allergic to him also, but, I am allergice to most short hair and most long hair dogs anyway.

He can be sweet, but I'm glad when I leave because this particular pug is very high maintenance.

 

[robin09]

We love our pug... He's had several homes before he came here. We believe he is 5 or 6, Pugsley is so wonderful.. but does have his issues... As others have said, breathing and heat... his wrinkles need to be cleanes and eye drops for his eyes. He gets along well with our cats and other dog. We've had him now for about 9 months, and we would definitely get another. Very even tempered, will snuggle.

Pugsley really doesn't bark.. I don't know if all pugs are so silent.... a little woof at times, he does lick the floors and couch, will eat paper, but hasn't eaten the furniture..

His snorting over the summer can be a bit overwhelming and because it was the first summer with him, I was concerned that he would literally have a heart attack. The cooler we kept him, the less the snorting and wheezing.

He loves riding in the car, but his snorting begins again.. I'm figuring it's panic attacks...we don't know his passed history so it is difficult to understand.

All in all we adore our pug and would highly recommend one. I trust Pugsley 99.9%... I don't think he would ever bite anyone... but you just never know...

 

[adventure_woman]

OP here. Thanks for all your input. We're doing research on the pugs, but I just wanted to hear actual experiences. My DH is very set on a 'look'. Personally, I don't care...I'm just more picky about size (I don't want a big dog..and that was one of the things about a bulldog - too big for me. A big dog to me is defined as about 40 lbs!! )

May I ask, is there a reason you can't adopt a shelter puppy? Depending on where you get them from, the adoption fee is also tax deductible. We got our 80-lb. mutt at an adoption agency and couldn't be happier.

We may very well look at a shelter too, but when I was looking for a dog 9 years ago, I didn't have very good luck looking at shelters. I was looking for a smaller dog, and there wasn't ANY that had dogs that were not huge (again - to me big dog is 40lbs+)

I'm not trying to sound rude, but if you can't afford a bulldog, why could you afford a pug? The cost for any dog from a reputable breeder should run fairly similar for any breed.

Also, the purchase of the dog isn't the biggest cost you'll face - it's the continued care for the dog throughout it's life. If money is an issue, can you commit to caring for a dog for 12-18 years? Who knows what kind of health issues an dog you get could have.

I realize this. BUT, after doing research on the bulldog, it appeared that they were almost GUARANTEED to have all kinds of health issues.

ON a different note - has anyone ever gotten the pet insurance for their dog when they were a puppy? Was it worth it?

 

[RachaelA]

OP here. Thanks for all your input. We're doing research on the pugs, but I just wanted to hear actual experiences. My DH is very set on a 'look'. Personally, I don't care...I'm just more picky about size (I don't want a big dog..and that was one of the things about a bulldog - too big for me. A big dog to me is defined as about 40 lbs!! )

We may very well look at a shelter too, but when I was looking for a dog 9 years ago, I didn't have very good luck looking at shelters. I was looking for a smaller dog, and there wasn't ANY that had dogs that were not huge (again - to me big dog is 40lbs+)

I realize this. BUT, after doing research on the bulldog, it appeared that they were almost GUARANTEED to have all kinds of health issues.

ON a different note - has anyone ever gotten the pet insurance for their dog when they were a puppy? Was it worth it?

Pugs are pretty much just as likely to have the same health problems as bulldogs. They have practically identical builds (pugs are just usually smaller).

Petfinder.com is a great site that lists rescue dogs. You may have to wait a bit to find one that fits your needs, but its better than dropping $$$ at a crappy breeder to get a dog NOW (this is a general statement. I know you never said you would).

Has your husband done any research on various dog breeds? Choosing a type of dog based on a look is a recipe for disaster.

 

[Disneychix]

I would look into some type of Pug mix- My friend has a ****zu/pug and puggles are very popular. This would cut down the chances of some of the pug health concerns and the ****zu/pug will definatly not SHED as much!

We loved our pug, Seamus. He had his share of health issues but man was he cute and even tempered! He LOVED sleeping in his crate/bed and would whine at night to be 'put to bed'!

 

[Princesca]

Hahaha I love that it censored that!

 

[natenapril]

Shedding is definitely a problem with my dad's pug, Pugsley, His hair is everywhere. My GOlden's shed but not as bad as his pug.

 

[scampagna6]

We had a fawn female pug for 15 years (she passed away this past August due to old age). She was the BEST dog ever! We got her when my oldest son was 9 months old and she has grown up with all of our 6 kids and she never once snapped at or bit anyone of them.

We all missed her so badly that in February we got 2 more pugs from a pug breeder we know. We could not decide between another fawn pug or a black one so we ended up with one of each!! They are brother and sister and they are so sweet!

Our pugs are very affectionate and love to be right with the family and they are sooo good with kids.

We have not had any health issues with any of our pugs...and as far as the snoring goes well that is part of their charm and we love it

Just be warned...they are so addicting once you have one you will never want to be without one

 

[labdogs42]

I'd look into Pug rescue for sure. Skip the pet insurance, I haven't found any that was worthwhile. Feed a good food, research what vaccines/products you need and don't need, and go from there.