Breeds / Small
Pug puppies
Even tempered, happy and lively disposition, with great charm, dignity and intelligence.
The facts
- Size class Small
- Country of origin China
- Adult weight 6.4 to 8.2 kg
- Adult weight in pounds 14 to 18 lb
- Adult height 25 to 33 cm
- Energy level Moderate
- Grooming Moderate
- Coat type Short smooth
- Shedding Heavy, brush often
- Typical lifespan 13 to 15 years
- Good with children Reliably good
- Good with other dogs Usually good
About the Pug
The Pug is an ancient Chinese companion breed, kept in imperial households and later carried to Europe by Dutch traders. This is a compact, thickset little dog of 6.4 to 8.2 kg standing 25 to 33 cm, with a flat face, deep wrinkles, a curled tail and a short glossy coat, and they commonly live 13 to 15 years. Pugs were bred for company and nothing else, and it shows: even tempered, comical, attached to people and generally sociable with other dogs.
Exercise should be moderate and taken in the cool parts of the day, because the flat face makes heat and humidity genuinely dangerous. The coat sheds more than its length suggests and wants a weekly brush, and the face wrinkles need wiping and drying. Pugs are quiet dogs that seldom bark. The breed's real problems come from their structure: breathing, eyes and weight. Keep portions in check, because overfeeding makes every one of those worse.
What to expect at eight weeks
At eight weeks a Pug puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A small breed puppy at eight weeks is light enough to carry everywhere, which is exactly how you get them socialised before the vaccination course finishes. They will still need four meals a day. Expect moderate energy, in short bursts separated by long naps. Grooming needs are moderate, so build the brushing habit now while the coat is still short and easy. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything they meet calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of their life.
Health worth knowing about
Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.
- Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS), graded by a vet on an exercise tolerance test
- Pug dog encephalitis (PDE), with a DNA test that flags dogs at raised risk
- Hip dysplasia, which breeding stock should be hip scored by x-ray before mating
- Hereditary eye disease screened under the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme
Your Pug puppy's first six months
- Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
- Worming and parasite schedule.
- Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Small for a Pug.
- Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 6.4 to 8.2 kg adult range.
- Puppy names and the first week checklist.
Kit sizes: crate 24 inch (24 x 18 x 20 in, 61 x 46 x 51 cm) for an adult of up to 8.2 kg; chew toys made for small breeds. Worked out the same way as the crate size calculator. PetMD bases a crate on the dog's own measurements, not weight or breed alone, so measure once the puppy is home.
Buying guides for this
Other small breeds
More on the Pug
Previous: Pudelpointer · Next: Puggle
Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.
Sources
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin
- Health notes from Pug breed information at https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/pug/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.
Photo: Abuk SABUK, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped. All photographers are listed on the photo credits page.