Pug owners?

[GRLMGC]

I'm thinking of getting a pug someday. What are the difficulties in having one? I know they're cute and happy but I want to know what I may get myself into. Not really anytime soon since I'm in an unstable living situation, but hopefully after I graduate.

[Indiana_Dem]

1. I've had no trouble with mine.

Their puppies are susceptible to hip dysplasia (dislocated hips) and hydrocephalis (water on the brain) when they're born though. Mine had a few litters who had these problems. They say pugs are more prone to respiratory problems but mine has never had any problems and we've always smoked in our house, too. My pug is now about 13 years old and she's been diagnosed with "liver problems". She now is partially deaf and has cataracts which is quite normal in an aging dog. My pug fell off our second story deck when she was a puppy but never had any problems with it! It scare dme so much. I figured she would have arthritis later on in life from that fall--hard to know as she is so old she doesn't get around as quick anyway. We have given a baby aspirin occasionally if it looks like she's having troubles getting up and down steps. Other than that, they love to play, are happy and friendly dogs, and they love to run from you no matter what! They think it's a game. We love our pug and my whole extended family has some of her children!

[GRLMGC]

2. I was anticipating health problems

I know purebreds are susceptible to more health problems than mixed breeds.

It sounds like you have a great dog though :)

[deerhead]

3. Pugs--the ultimate life form

We've had our pugs for three years now and can't imagine life without them. They have their quirks--can be stubborn and are their own dog, but are loyal, steadfast, sweet, loving, and great cuddlers. They are not for everyone. You have to be ready to give them the time and attention they deserve. They are inside dogs and shouldn't be left outside, so you will need to give them space in your home. They can have breathing problems that require surgery as well as ear and eye issues. However, if you do your homework and buy from a reputable breeder, you will get a dog that gives you hope for the world and will make you a better person. (Refer to the post of other DUer and his cocker spaniel.)

What it boils down to is not whether pugs are worthy to be owned, it's whether the owner is worthy to have a pug. We only hope we can meet the challenge!:loveya:

[Fleshdancer]

4. I adored my pug....

Mine had a great personality, was gentle with babies and wonderful with kids. The only "issues" I ever had with him were the normal puppy stuff that you have to deal with for all breeds (chewing, etc). My parents doggie sat him one weekend for me and fell in love with him and bought their own pug. :)

Rocky never had any of the possible pug health problems that have already been discussed in this thread. Overall, I'd say he was one of the best dogs I ever had. I'll be getting another pug again someday.

[merh]

5. Pugs are great. They are loving and smart dogs.

They have terrible farts and tend to snore alot, but those little quirks are not enough to say they are not a great pet.

My pug was knocked up by a yorkie and now I am fostering 7 yugs. (there were 9, but 1 was still born and another died of sudden puppy death syndrome - he suffocated under his siblings at a week old :cry:)

If you want a great pet, get a pug!

[GRLMGC]

6. What do the puppies look like?

I'm fascinated by what mixed breeds look like. I guess they tend to get the best qualities of both breeds. I'm sorry to hear about the 2 dead puppies :(

[merh]

7. One of the girls looks like a fuzzy pug (or a gerbil)

their is another that has the yorkie nose and features, yet her hair is blonde and short like the mother's. One has short squatty legs and brindle coat that is not as short as a pugs, but not quite the coat of a yorkie, the rest are more pug like, with the pug features and coats, only they are brindle coats, mixture of gray, black, blonde and brown. They all have pug ears and it looks like their tails will all be curling like a pugs.

They are pretty darned cute. I am learing how to use my digital camera and if successful, I will download some photos later on.

:thumbsup:

[Fleshdancer]

8. I would love to see those photos! They sound adorable. n/t

[merh]

10. If I have any luck with the photos, I will start a thread about the

little Yugs and pmail you the link. They are so darned playful and cute.

[Indiana_Dem]

14. My pug was knocked up by, I think, a pekingnese

so it wasn't much of a difference in looks except the hair maybe. Her pups looked like pugs. All of her pups I know have her disposition and not the disposition of a pekingnese.

And you are correct! They let out some rank gas! It's gotten worse since she's older. Yuk!

[merh]

19. I had heard that their putin' gets worse with age! Does diet help?

I have to read up on that. How about the snoring? They are great dogs.

[tuvor]

20. Ours farts, but they aren't usually smelly.

Might be the raw food.

[Indiana_Dem]

23. Diet is probably the answer.

I'll have to ask my vet.

Yes! Mine snores constantly while asleep and my visitors just laugh and laugh when they hear her! :D

[matcom]

9. mine is fine

not terribly bright (cept he DOES pee standing up!)

they DO shed and they DO bark but he is loveable as hell

[GRLMGC]

11. That's cute

:)

[Indiana_Dem]

16. aww! mine's a black pug. nt

[tuvor]

18. He's gorgeous.

Here's mine. (Don't mind the clutter.)

[Indiana_Dem]

27. Ah! That looks like mine, only a little younger!

Mine has gray now and a white patch on the chest. Probably not a full-blood, I don't know. My step-daughter brought her home one day and I have no idea where she came from.

One time, we were giving away the half-pug, half-pekinese pups away and an Asian couple came to take a puppy. They would not take any of them with white on them because they said they were bad luck! They wanted a solid colored one only or the fawn/tan/black ones.

[Guaranteed]

12. I miss my Baby so much...

She was really the sweetest little dog you'll ever see. The pug's only purpose in life is to sit in laps and snuggle. They're great.

But, they do have a lot of health problems. Baby had to be put down when she was only about 11 years old. She had glaucoma, severe back and bowel problems, and a blood problem.

[GRLMGC]

13. I'm so sorry

I can't imagine the loss.

[Guaranteed]

15. It was really rough.

She had a really good life, though, doing just what she wanted. Snuggling. :)

[tuvor]

17. Number One: Go to a reputable breeder!

Ask, ask, ask and get complete answers! And make sure they ask you plenty of questions, indicating that they care where the animal is going!

Even then, though, you might have problems.

Ours was show-quality from a great breeder, until we saw that he had a soft palate far too big for his head. It needed to be reduced via a major operation. Otherwise he would have suffocated by the time he was four. (He's now about six.) Fortunately the contract with our breeder meant she had to pay for half.

If possible, find a vet who knows pugs. (Any chance you're in the Vancouver BC area?)

Finally, a personal recommendation: Feed your pug, and all of your dogs, raw meat. Long story short, it's far more natural than kibble, and the benefits offset any slight increase over the cost of kibble.

[GRLMGC]

21. Thanks for the advice

I know its a long way off but I still want to know all I can about pugs :)

[tuvor]

22. Other ideas. Check the web (duh), talk to owners, check out their dogs.

Good luck!
:hi:

[radwriter0555]

24. They are never truly housebroken.

Enjoy.

[GRLMGC]

25. oh man

that kinda sucks. Oh well

[matcom]

26. mine is

100%

[GRLMGC]

28. My roommate has one

She loves him. She used to have a Boston Terrier but she died. My roommate was really torn up by that one.

[Indiana_Dem]

29. I've never had any trouble at all with mine.

Mine never went in the house or chewed on anything! We used to have a cat for 18 years (passed on--RIP) and I think my pig thinks she's a cat. They had lots of fun playing together.

[Pithlet]

30. Aside from potential health problems, they're great.

They're very energetic, fun, and loving. They're my favorite breed. As long as you realize that you may end up shelling out some bucks to the vet when they get older, I'd say go for it. My mom has two elderly pugs, and says she's running a "grizzled old pug hospice". But, she thinks they're totally worth it :)

[Be Brave]

31. I have a pug.

I adopted him from the pound. Here are things that I've learned from mine, and I'm sure you've heard about some of them:

* A pug is probably the only breed with it's own motto: multum in parvo, meaning a lot of dog in a small body, or something like that. My pug is about 28 pounds (he's a bigger pug), but is quite STRONG and muscular. He is also quite surprisingly agile.

* A pug is quite smart, and so has a tendency to have a mind of his own.

* A pug is toy dog, and so does not want to be without his human. He hates to be alone.

* A pug has a short muzzle. So during hot weather, he gets exhausted easily when out for walks. You should be careful about this as this is a serious matter.

* A pug's eyes are quite prominent and so are susceptible to injury. When I adopted my pug, he only had one eye. The other was surgically removed, but he still looks handsome. :)

* A beige-colored pug sheds. My pug sheds heavily right before fall and right after winter. In between, it's only light shedding. A black-colored pug, since it has no undercoat, does not shed as much.

* If you read articles from other websites, they might say that it is hard to housebreak a pug. Pay them no attention. Mine is housebroken. He just had to settle down in his new environment.

* A pug is one of the cleanest breeds.

* A pug sits funny, so be ready to laugh!