So you want a Puppy
Not just any Puppy
You want a Pug Puppy!
If your answer is “Yes, OMG, I want one of those cute little Pug Puppys!”
Then my question to you is “Why?”
Is it because you “think”…
Pugs are undeniably irresistible?
Pugs have the cutest squishy faces and the most expressive eyes?
Pugs don’t require much exercise and would be happy just to share the couch with you?
Pugs don’t shed?
As a pug parent I’m going to set you straight!
This is the humorous, but true story of raising a pug puppy.
Cuteness Factor: No one can deny that pugs and pug puppies are the most adorable, cutest looking, unbelievably irresistible ever! Ok, I may be biased but bear with me here 😉
I may be little, but I can be a handful at times!
Pug Cuteness Comes With Work: Pugs don’t maintain all this cuteness overload without work – work on your end. You know those folds on their little squishy faces, they require daily cleaning – yup! At the start of each day, after each meal, and at the end of the day, you will need to clean those pug folds to avoid sores and infections. And trust me on this, you will want your pug puppy accustomed to having their face and folds cleaned from day one to make your life easier.
Expressive Pug Eyes: Pugs have big eyes that protrude from their face making it extemely easy for things to poke and scratch them -Take precautions and protect those eyes!
Look into my eyes – keep them safe!
Squishy Flat Faces: Pugs are well known for their flat, squishy faces. But what’s important to know and understand is that those squishy flat faces come with health concerns that can include, but is not limited to, breathing issues and a dog that can easily overheat. Do you like to travel by plane – think twice about it with a pug, and if you do, make sure to consult with your vet before doing so. Also be aware that many airlines are now banning flat nosed breeds from flying.
Exercise: So you think a pug puppy won’t require daily exercise? Maybe you’ve been told pugs are the ultimate couch potato?
Excuse me while I *roll on floor in fits of laughter*
Below is just a sample of how my pug puppy starts her day off! And imagine if you will, what it was like before the warmer weather finally arrived and going outside for any length of time was not an option.
I am not denying that as pugs age they enjoy naps and cuddles, bin watching the next great Netflix series cuddled up next to you, BUT, for at LEAST the first year of your pug puppy’s life, you can forget, do you hear me, FORGET the following:
- Watching an entire movie or tv show in one sitting.
- Coffee lovers, this is a big one, from one coffee lover to another, listen to me! The chance of ever enjoying a full “hot” cup of coffee will become only a dream for the first year with your pug puppy!
- Are you hungry, like to eat – tough! Consider yourself extremely fortunate if you ever get a chance to finish a complete meal, never mind a hot meal. And you can set your watch by it, that at the very moment you sit down to eat your puppy will start circling looking for the best spot on your carpet to potty on. This scenario will play out many times a day as pug puppys have tiny bladders!
- Enjoy sleeping all night or sleeping in, LOL! Excuse me while I *pry open my tired eyes* that have woken each and every day at 5:00am (on a good day) to let my pug puppy out to potty – in the snow- in the rain – before the sun comes up, AND, in my pyjamas – apologies to my neighbours.
Oh yes, we were talking about pug puppys and exercise – this is something else you can expect with a pug puppy – lack of concentration due to fatigue.
There will be exercise alright, for YOU! It will be months, many months, before you will sit down, put your feet up and relax again. You will be constantly chasing after your pug puppy, sticking your hand in their mouth at least a dozen times a day removing every fluff, stick, leaf, and every other imaginable object they can stuff in their mouth, not to mention once again the constant potty patrolling.
But on a serious note, pugs, whether they are puppies or adult pug dogs, require regular exercise to keep them fit and healthy. It’s a well known fact that pugs love to eat, and they will, if allowed, easily gain weight. Don’t be fooled by those begging pug eyes and give into them for extra treats or a few extra kibble in the dinner bowl, because carrying extra weight is hard on their little bodies.
Shedding: “Pugs have short hair and don’t shed a lot.”
DO NOT LISTEN TO ANYONE THAT TELLS YOU THIS!
Excuse me while I “wipe the pug hair off of my couches before you take a seat”
Why yes, I do shed!
Pugs, like the majority of dogs shed! True, pugs have short coats, and you may not notice the fur bunnies as you would say a Golden Retreiver. And depending on the colour of your pug, you may not notice the hair as much, but, as the pet parent of a black pug and a fawn pug, I can assure you they do shed.
Pug Nail Trims
*Queue the horror music*. Now not all pugs mind having their nails trimmed, I’m sure there are three pugs out there that don’t mind it 😉 but for the rest of the pugs, when it comes to having their nail trims be prepared to hear noises emanate from your pug that you have never heard before and will soon never forget! You will swear an alien has taken over your pug when having those nails trimmed! Pugs can be so dramatic.
So you still want a Pug Puppy
Stubborn? Never!
Ok, so I’ve joked about what it’s like being a pug puppy parent, yet I barely touched on the very important subject of care, health concerns, not to mention stubbornness in pugs. But I have been truthful. Making a commitment to any pet, or particular breed of dog, you must know and understand what you are getting yourself into. Do your research. Speak to fellow pug parents. Understand the commitment that comes with having a pug, make sure a pug will be the right fit for you, your family, and the life you live. And then if you still believe a pug is for you – send me your pug pictures because I want to see them!!
May 24, 2018
Pug puppies are for sure the most adorable thing going. Right after Rottweiler puppies, of course. I don’t think we’ll be getting any puppies at our age any more, though; opting for adopting adult babies.
May 24, 2018
Congratulations on your new family member! My friends have a new pug puppy and I’m sharing this link with them. This is their first family pet, and they are loving every (tired) second.
May 24, 2018
Thank you for sharing! Raising a puppy IS fun, but it is also tiring 🙂
May 24, 2018
Maybe I should get a pug puppy to lose weight! A lot of your concerns occur with most puppies since they need so much more attention. I usually tell people to figure spending at least 2 hours a day exercising and playing with a young dog – maybe more with a puppy. A senior dog is fine with about an hour. Dogs, especially puppies need a lot of time. I didn’t know pugs needed their faces cleaned so often. Thanks for the great post.
May 24, 2018
Ha! You would think with all this running around I would be the size of a stick by now! Yes, any young dog needs plenty of stimulation and exercise, but it doesn’t always slow down with some breeds, even when they are older.
May 23, 2018
Puppy pug zoomies made my night. I think like with any breed, they have their stereotypes and they can definitely live up to them, but they’re still dogs with different personalities and health needs. I think it’s really important that people do their research on a breed. I think pugs are cute, but I’m not feeling the cleaning of the wrinkles everyday. But I’m ok with slobber and will willing deal with a St Bernard mix!
May 24, 2018
Research, understanding and being honest as to what you want and are willing to do is the key. And I would prefer cleaning wrinkles over St.Bernard slobber any day LOL!
May 23, 2018
I was chatting to a friend of mine the other day who has a pug and most of what you said here she was saying the same, they are adorable with their squishy noses though
May 23, 2018
Puppies (and pug puppies) are a lot of work! I’m an adult dog person. I think I could handle the meals thing but I’m kind of attached to sleeping without being woken up repeatedly!
May 24, 2018
Puppies are so much work! I guess waiting 7 years before doing it again gave me some time to rest, but also some time to forget just what it’s like 😉 Maybe an adult dog would be next 🙂
May 23, 2018
Ohhh the cuteness of a pug! I have to say that I am finding that all the funny (but true) things you said about getting a pug puppy are pretty true for my maltipom too. They don’t have the squishy faces, but tear stains, and eye gunk on that fluffy face require a lot of cleaning. And my dog doesn’t shed out, but he still sheds. I think people don’t realize when they hear “they don’t shed” that all dogs shed, some dogs hair just doesn’t shed off their body, which requires daily brushing or you end up with a mess of mats that are no fun for the dog or you to deal with and can even produce skin issues if not groomed regularly. Owning a dog is a lot of work, but I do agree having a squishy face, eye bulging, short nose breed would require extra care and precaution. Thank you for sharing your experience with being a pug owner!
May 23, 2018
I love watching the videos of her playing. She is so adorable. A lot of what you described as the characteristics of a pug can be applied to Persians.
May 24, 2018
Really?! I would be interested in knowing the similarities between a pug puppy and a Persian – could be very interesting!
May 23, 2018
Oh my I had no idea! So much work! I suspect it’s like every beauty regime isn’t it? You need to put in the hard yards to look your best. Oh and having genetic super cuteness helps too!
May 24, 2018
All this beauty comes with effort 🙂
May 23, 2018
I did not know pugs needed their folds cleaned. I like pugs, but am a big fun of cross breeds. What about puggles? A pug/beagle. That might reduce some of the fold issues and extend the nose a bit – or a lot. You never know what nature will do.
May 24, 2018
True, it’s possible that a pug beagle cross could reduce the face folds and give them a longer nose, helping with breathing and less chance of skin/fold issues.
May 23, 2018
Thanks for a humorous view on pug puppies. As a cat owner, I don’t realize the extra attention some dog breeds require. This will be a great resource for those considering adding a put to their family.
May 23, 2018
I hope that although it’s done in a humorous way, people will consider what’s involved with caring for and the health concerns of the pug breed.
May 23, 2018
Pug puppies are so cute, and I appreciate that you’ve addressed some of the serious health concerns that Pugs have. I think it is super important that if you get a Pug puppy, you make sure you are getting from an ethical breeder. Otherwise, the list of potential problems is much higher.
May 23, 2018
Most definitely! Do your research, and once you’ve decided that a pug is the right fit for you, also research your breeder!
May 23, 2018
Lol! At the start of the article, I was like “Pugs don’t shed? What planet is she from?” Hahahaha! Your comments about finishing a hot cup of coffee or a meal are great too – and the same applies to ALL babies – human or otherwise 🙂 I love that you give such good advice to people considering adorable pugs.
May 23, 2018
Very similar to when my boys were younger – no sleep, no hot meals, and as much as coffee is needed, it’s never hot!
May 23, 2018
Oh my mouses… I HAD NO IDEA! Wow. Pugs CAN require some work, huh?
Unlike us cats.
JUST KIDDIN’! We cats demand our peeps’ constant attention. ‘Cept when we don’t want it, of course. purrs
PS. I had to laugh ’bout the sheddin’ thing. I shed a lot. I actually shed everywhere. I’ve shed places no cat has ever shed before. I shed you not. But those two long-haired freaky brothers of mine? They hardly shed at all. It’s not fair. They leave no evidence of where they’ve been. MOUSES!
May 23, 2018
Oh we have cats too! And the dogs if they could, would blame all the shedding and furbunnies under the furniture on them 🙂
May 23, 2018
LOL! I have never had a pug and learned a lot! I didn’t know about having to wash the folds every day or the dangers to their eyes (though it makes sense). However, I had heard about the no shedding thing. Thanks for clearing up that myth!
May 23, 2018
You’d be surprised what you find hiding in those folds!
May 23, 2018
But now I want a pug!! In all seriousness- too bad about the new airline rules.
May 23, 2018
It is too bad, but at the same time, safety of our pets is priority