Pug: everything you need to know

Veterinary and insurance guide · Petplan Spain Team · Updated 2026

The Pug (known in Spain as the carlino) is one of the most recognisable companion dogs in the world: small, sturdy, deeply affectionate and irresistibly comic, with its wrinkled face, dark expressive eyes and tightly curled tail. Bred over centuries for one job only — to be a companion — the Pug is happiest at your side and adapts beautifully to flat living. Behind that charm, though, is a brachycephalic (flat-faced) breed with a very specific set of veterinary needs that every responsible owner should understand. In this guide we cover the Pug’s origin, temperament, the conditions we most often see in the clinic, the real veterinary costs worth planning for in Spain, and why Petplan pet insurance is the best choice for your Pug.

Origin and history of the Pug

Despite its strong association with European royalty, the Pug originated in imperial China, where flat-faced “lo-sze” dogs were prized companions of emperors and lived in the protected luxury of the imperial court. Dutch traders of the East India Company brought the breed to Europe during the 16th and 17th centuries, where it became the favourite of the House of Orange in the Netherlands — a Pug famously warned the Prince of Orange of an attack — and later a fixture of aristocratic life across Britain and France. The modern Pug, with its compact cobby body, deeply wrinkled mask and double-curled tail, was refined by British breeders in the 19th century. The FCI classifies it in Group 9 (companion and toy dogs), standard nº 253.

Physical characteristics

The Pug is a small, square, thickset dog — the breed standard describes it as multum in parvo, “a lot of dog in a small space”. Its key features are summarised below.

Temperament and character

Few breeds are as people-oriented as the Pug. It is even-tempered, affectionate and sociable, generally excellent with children, the elderly and other pets, and rarely shows aggression. Playful but not hyperactive, it is content with company and a sofa, which makes it an outstanding flat dog and companion for less active owners. The flip side is that the Pug bonds intensely and dislikes being left alone for long periods, so it can develop separation-related behaviour. It has a stubborn streak that can make training feel slow, but its strong food motivation makes reward-based training effective — just be careful not to over-treat. Owners should also remember that the Pug is highly sensitive to heat and cannot regulate its temperature well.

Common health problems in the Pug

This is the section that matters most for a Pug owner, because the breed’s anatomy carries clear, well-documented predispositions.

Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) is the defining concern. The Pug’s flat face combines narrowed nostrils (stenotic nares), an over-long soft palate, and often a narrow (hypoplastic) windpipe, producing the characteristic snorting and snoring, exercise and heat intolerance, and in severe cases collapse. Surgical widening of the nostrils and shortening of the soft palate can dramatically improve quality of life.

Eye conditions are common because the large, prominent eyes sit in shallow sockets: corneal ulcers, pigmentary keratitis, dry eye (keratoconjunctivitis sicca), entropion and, in trauma, proptosis (prolapse of the eyeball) — a genuine emergency. Pug Dog Encephalitis (necrotizing meningoencephalitis) is a breed-specific, inflammatory brain disease of young adults that causes seizures and is frequently fatal; a genetic risk marker is recognised. Spinal problems linked to the screw tail include hemivertebrae and “Pug myelopathy”, which can cause hind-limb weakness and incontinence. Add patellar luxation, hip dysplasia, skin-fold dermatitis and a strong tendency to obesity, and the picture is of a charming dog that needs attentive veterinary care.

Financially, this is significant: surgery for BOAS, ophthalmic surgery for a complicated corneal ulcer or proptosis, spinal surgery for hemivertebrae, or prolonged treatment of encephalitis can each easily run into several thousand euros.

Coat care and feeding

Grooming a Pug is simple but non-negotiable in two areas. The short double coat sheds more than people expect, so weekly brushing helps; more importantly, the facial folds must be cleaned and dried regularly to prevent skin-fold dermatitis, and the eyes should be checked daily. Nails, ears and teeth need routine attention, as dental crowding is common in such a short muzzle. On feeding, weight control is the single most valuable thing an owner can do: excess weight worsens breathing, joints and heat tolerance. Measure meals, avoid free-feeding, and use part of the daily ration for training rather than extra treats.

Exercise and stimulation

The Pug needs daily activity to stay fit and mentally satisfied, but on its own terms. Several short, gentle walks suit it far better than one long outing, and exercise should always be avoided during the heat of the day — Pugs are extremely prone to heat stroke and should never be left in hot cars or unventilated rooms. Use a harness rather than a collar to avoid pressure on the airway, provide shade and water, and add scent games and puzzle feeders for mental stimulation. Note that Pugs are poor swimmers and should be supervised near water.

Why Petplan is the best choice for your Pug

Given everything above, a Pug is exactly the kind of dog for which good insurance pays for itself. Petplan is the best choice in Spain because its cover is designed for the realities of brachycephalic companion breeds: it includes the hereditary and chronic conditions Pugs are prone to (airway, eye, spinal and skin disease), lets you choose any vet in Spain with no closed network, and renews for life without dropping conditions that appear as your dog ages. For a Pug, the average premium is around 446 EUR per year on intermediate cover — a small amount against a single airway or eye surgery.