The Pug, also known as Carlino or Doguillo, has its origins in China, where it was the pet of high society families. After spreading to other Eastern countries, it traveled to Europe, where it continued to build its good reputation as a companion of nobility. Would you like to know more about pugs and their care? Keep reading!
Breed Particularities
Main Characteristics
Pugs are a small breed, weighing between six and nine kilos. Their coat is short and shiny and can come in four different shades (apricot, black, silver or fawn), always maintaining a uniform color. Their body has a compact and muscular appearance, with a large head, flat snout and big round eyes. These features, along with their distinctive dark “mask”, contribute to making them so peculiar.
In terms of life expectancy, they typically live an average of about thirteen years, so you’ll be lucky to share a long time with them and give your pug the best possible care.
What Makes Them Special?
If you’re looking for a dog to share fun and relaxing moments with, the pug is an excellent choice. These dogs are characterized by being affectionate, playful, curious and self-confident. They’ll love playing with you, and will always try to find new ways to make you laugh. But they’ll also enjoy taking long naps by your side or even on your lap on the couch, as they really like being accompanied.
Specific Pug Care
Pugs aren’t a breed that requires particularly complex care, though there are a couple of things you should keep in mind:
To keep their coat shiny, brushing once a week will suffice. Regarding hygiene, it’s also important to make sure you clean their facial folds to prevent possible infections. Finally, don’t forget to check their ears and eyes periodically.
Their diet should have a balanced composition, high-end and with kibble adapted for small breeds. This will help you avoid overweight, take care of their teeth and prevent gas.
Congenital Diseases
One last aspect to consider when deciding whether to adopt a pug puppy or if you already have one and want to know how to care for them in the best way, are the possible congenital diseases that affect them.
Encephalitis
Encephalitis is an autoimmune and incurable disease that can develop in one out of every hundred puppies up to two years of age. After that age, it’s very rare for it to appear, so it’s advisable to make sure their parents are older.
Spina Bifida
The curly shape of their tail is due to that part of the spine being composed of hemivertebrae. That is, a disorder characterized by the congenital failure of a vertebra to develop completely. If this anomaly extends to the rest of the spine, your puppy could suffer from spina bifida.
Respiratory Diseases
Brachycephalic breeds (those characterized by having a wide, rounded skull and a short, flat snout), due to the morphology of their airways, are prone to developing respiratory diseases of varying severity. From snoring to difficulty swallowing or choking.
This also makes them more sensitive to temperature changes. Therefore, you shouldn’t forget to encourage them to do moderate exercise to maintain their weight. Make sure they always have fresh water available and try to keep them away from extreme temperatures.
And of course, at the slightest concern about your pug’s care, don’t hesitate to consult your trusted veterinarian. They’ll help you with everything you need so you and your pet can enjoy each other’s company to the fullest.
Request the price of your pet insurance
