Pug

Pugs shed year-round, so this isn’t the breed for you if you can absolutely not handle dog fur on your clothes. Other than dealing with shedding, grooming is a cinch.  

• Bathing: A bath every month is a good idea (be sure to completely dry all those skin folds!). In between baths, you’ll need to clean a Pug’s wrinkles every day with mild wipes. This removes dander, yeast, bacteria, and other accumulations, helping prevent irritation and skin infections.  
• Brushing: Daily brushing is ideal, and a FURminator brush is an excellent tool to get a Pug’s undercoat out and reduce shedding.  
• Dental care: Pugs’ teeth are a bit cramped in their lower jaw, so regular dental care is necessary to prevent serious issues. Start brushing their teeth while they’re young to get them used to the lifelong routine. Ask your vet for advice about dental chews, and have a professional clean your dog’s teeth under anesthesia yearly.  
• Ear care: Check their ears for debris every day. If there’s redness, swelling, or an odor, your pup may have an ear infection that needs vet attention. Talk to your veterinarian about how to clean your dog’s ears if they’re prone to infections.  
• Nail care: Pugs need their nails trimmed every two to three weeks. If nails get too long, it can make it painful to walk. You’ll know it’s time for a trim when you can hear their nails tapping on hard surfaces. 

Eternal optimists, Pugs are clever, food-motivated, and want to do a good job and make you proud. These qualities make them easy to train.  

Start with some basic obedience training—like sit, stay, and come—when your dog is still a young puppy (or as soon as possible if you adopt them when they’re already full-grown).  

Don’t forget socialization, too. It’s important to introduce your pup to new people and places so they’re used to novel interactions and become a well-mannered adult.  

There’s no one-size-fits-all nutrition plan for your Pug, but every dog needs a complete and balanced diet that meets AAFCO standards. Choose a diet for your dog’s life stage (puppy, adult, or senior) that’s specifically formulated for small breeds. Some brands, like Royal Canin, even make dog food just for Pug puppies and adults. 

Pugs have tremendous appetites, so you’ll need to watch their diet to make sure they’re getting appropriate nutrition without overeating. Obesity will lead to other health problems down the road, and it’s best to head them off before they start.  

Dog treats are important for motivating your Pug during training, but remember to count these calories, too. Treats should never be more than 10% of a dog’s daily calories.  

If your Pug does need to shed a few pounds (or if you just need advice about how much to feed your dog), ask your vet for advice.  

All dogs need exercise, Pugs included. But it’s important to put some guardrails in place for this special breed. 

Pugs have a flat face, a shortened snout, and tiny nostrils because of the way they’re bred. This can unfortunately lead to breathing troubles, especially when exercising, excited, or in extreme heat and humidity. 

Aim for shorter exercise sessions, broken up throughout the day. Pug dogs have pretty low energy levels to begin with, so their exercise needs are also fairly low. They typically need less than an hour of exercise each day. 

While some Pugs do enjoy dog sports like agility trials, most Pugs will revel in a short walk or indoor playtime. A Pug’s speed is only about 5 to 10 mph, so they’re more likely to enjoy more low-key games, like playing fetch with you. 

Avoid exercising your dog in heat and humidity, and be mindful of situations where your Pug might get overexcited, as they tend to overheat quickly. 

Pugs can adapt to many types of homes and will be happy wherever you live. Apartments? No problem. Small homes? Check. Country cabins? Yep. Big homes with room to meet their royal tastes? You bet!  

Pugs are good with children because they’re friendly, have fairly low energy levels, and love to play (even if only for a short time). They’re also a fine choice if you often throw get-togethers at your place, as most Pugs are delighted to greet (and charm) new people.  

Your Pug doesn’t need a big backyard or adjacent park to be happy—though they’d love to feel some grass under their feet at least some of the time, especially if you live in a city. You could try a nearby dog park to see if they enjoy meeting new friends. Make sure they’re up to date on vaccines and routine vet visits if they’re going to be around a lot of new friends at the park.   

These pups don’t love extreme temperatures, so limit their time outdoors if it’s super hot or cold. However, Pugs really do love being indoors and don’t need a ton of space, as long as you’re there too. Lucky you—you are the Pug’s ideal environment!