Featured Breed

With their unique look and mischievous personalities, Pugs are as memorable for their hijinks as they are for their adorable smushed faces.

Pugs have been making their mark on the world for a long time. One of the oldest known dog breeds, Pugs were originally bred in Ancient China to be the companions of Chinese emperors. During the sixteenth century, Pugs were brought from China to Europe where they became the mascot for Holland’s Royal House of Orange.

England’s Queen Victoria also had Pugs — a total of 36! With their regal roots, it’s no wonder modern-day Pugs expect to be treated like royalty.

A fluffy pup

Pugs are small, stocky dogs with curly tails and smushy “pug-nosed” faces.

Pugs are small, stocky dogs with curly tails and smushy “pug-nosed” faces. They come in four recognized colors: fawn, black, silver, and apricot. Their short fur doesn’t require much grooming, though they do shed a significant amount. Their faces require some extra TLC; the facial folds or “wrinkles” on Pugs’ faces must be cleaned often — sometimes multiple times a day — to ensure bacteria don’t accumulate and cause an infection.

Pugs are certainly not low-maintenance dogs, but their charming personalities are well worth the extra care and attention they require. Pugs are playful, friendly dogs who want nothing more than to be with their humans. Pugs are excellent family dogs and do well with small children, and they also get along great with other dogs and animals.

Pugs don’t require as much exercise as larger dogs so they are ideal for people who live in cities or small apartments. Pugs are very motivated by food and are prone to overeating and obesity. It’s important to regulate how much food a Pug eats and make sure they get enough exercise. Because of their short snouts pugs can overheat easily, so exercise should be limited to times when it’s not hot outside.

Unfortunately, Pugs are prone to a host of major and minor health issues.

Major health issues include hip dysplasia, liver shunts, and Pug dog encephalitis (PDE). PDE is a rare but fatal neurologic disease unique to Pugs that causes inflammation of the brain and other neurologic deficits. Less serious health issues include elongated palate, obesity, and skin infections, particularly around a pug’s facial wrinkles.

At a glance

Covering your Pug

A Pug’s lifespan is approximately 12 to 15 years.

Pugs are prone to a wide range of major and minor health issues, so it’s likely that a Pug will need significant veterinary care at some point during its life. Pet insurance for Pugs is generally slightly more expensive than pet insurance for mixed breed dogs.

Since this breed is likely to have hereditary issues, it is important to get pet insurance for Pugs within the first 1-2 years.

Rescue a puppy

Looking to rescue a Pug? Here are some of the top Pug rescues in the country: