Pug is a sweet “sofa” dog with a rich history that dates back to 600 years. BC. The low level of activity of an extraordinary breed should not be misleading: friendly snub-nosed pets are very fond of participating in active fun, although they have not enough energy for a long time. Future owners interested in pugs should learn more about one of the ancient breeds.
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Description and characteristics of the breed
The representatives of the breed are very friendly and are great friends, the purchase of a pug will be a real gift for the child.
Despite the unique exterior of the pet and its inherent laziness, one should not treat a snub-nosed friend as a toy. In case of danger, this seemingly harmless creature will stand up for the owner and will protect him to the last, although the pug is friendly to strangers.
The owner should pay attention to this and start training in a timely manner, as a result of which the dog will not respond to outside commands, and take goodies from the wrong hands.
Since the animal likes to spend time on the "side", the pug is ideal for people looking for a companion for easy and passive walks.It seems that the breed was specially bred for lazy people. But despite the constant drowsiness, the pug will not give up active games, especially at a young age.
Three varieties are distinguished within the framework of an officially recognized breed:
- terrier type - dogs with an elongated neck and torso;
- bulldog type - wide torso, oblique shoulder blades and barrel-like forepaws are considered distinctive characteristics;
- sharpei type - the variety includes animals with many folds that hide the irregular top line.
The most popular and acceptable today are terrier dogs.
Origin history
The history of pugs dates back to the 1st millennium BC, as evidenced by the mass of images of similar dogs dated to the era of the emergence of Buddhist civilization in the East. The exact date of origin of the breed and its progenitors are not known for certain. However, there are several versions.
Adherents of one theory believe that the birthplace of pugs is Ancient China. In support of this point of view, early manuscripts are cited, which mention miniature “square” dogs with shortened faces, who lived in noble houses, palaces and had their own servants.
Some researchers have linked breed breeding to India. Clay dogs figurines resembling modern pugs were found on the territory of this country. However, most opinions agree that China is still the birthplace of the breed.
In the XVII century, when China established trade with other countries, snub-nosed animals came to Holland, where they quickly turned into "boudoir dogs" at the royal court. The number of lovers grew every day, and soon the pug dog came to England, where it was called "Pug". It was on the shores of foggy Albion that breeding work began to improve the exterior. In 1886, the results were recorded in breed standards recognized by the ICF Commission.
Life span
The answer to the question how many pugs live is rather ambiguous.
With proper care and a measured life, the dog can live up to 15 years.
However, there are a number of factors that significantly reduce her age:
- lack of vaccinations;
- untimely diagnosis and treatment of diseases;
- improper and irregular care;
- unbalanced feeding.
If you follow all the rules for care and maintenance, the pug will live a long and happy life.
Pug breed standard
Purebred breeding pugs with a claim to the championship must comply with all pedigree standards:
- The head is wide and flattened, with a forehead covered with deep folds.
- Muzzle - shortened, flat, equal in size to the width of the frontal bone.
- The nose is black.
- Jaw - regular scissor bite.
- The eyes are large, set quite wide.
- The ears are small and soft, tight to the skull.
- The body is square, with a shortened back and a wide chest.
- The limbs are erect and muscular, with rounded paws.
- Tail - set high and adjacent to the back with a single or double curl.
- The coat is short and soft, with shine (a black pug has a firmer hairline).
- Color - fawn, silver, apricot, black. Characteristic features are a black mask, dark ears and a line along the spine.
- Growth - 25-36 cm.
- Weight - 6-10 kg.
When choosing a puppy, you should pay attention to its compliance with the above parameters of the exterior.
Puppy selection criteria
Choosing a puppy is a responsible event that you need to approach by learning the following points:
- Initially, it is necessary to determine the future purpose of the dog: if you plan to use it for breeding or participation in exhibitions, then it is better to go to the kennel with a specialist in order to avoid buying a pug with defects in the exterior.
- You should pay attention to the behavior of the puppy so that he is active, playful and does not show signs of fear.
- Before buying, an inspection of the animal is mandatory: the ears should be clean and the eyes clear.
- The purchase of purebred dogs is recommended only in specialized kennels, from trusted breeders.
Armed with all the necessary knowledge, the future owner will not be a victim of unscrupulous sellers.
The purpose and nature of the dog
The good-natured and sociable creature, although not very energetic, loves to play and have fun. In the periods between lying on the couch, the pug has bursts of activity, during which the pet runs around the house with great speed. True, such fun does not last long.
Pug will be a great friend for the elderly who love a relaxing holiday and are looking for a permanent companion. The four-legged pet is very attached to the owner and can follow him on the heels all day, not missing the moment to lie with the owner on a sofa or bed.
An inquisitive pug gets along well with children and shows patience with all their pranks. However, a snub-nosed dog, who loves to beg for pieces of goodies, does not tolerate loneliness and is not suitable for busy people who do not have time for a pet.
Maintenance, care and feeding
A pug can live both in small apartments and in large country houses. To make a dog’s life comfortable, it is necessary to equip a place for rest, which will be located in a warm, cozy corner away from heating appliances, as well as regularly walk a pug, giving him little physical exertion to maintain his tone.
Hair & Skin Care
Pugs molt throughout the year, so it is recommended to comb out the pet daily with a special brush. Instead of bathing, which is often undesirable, it is better to wipe the dog with a damp cloth. Bacteria often accumulate in the folds, and to avoid inflammatory processes, they should be regularly wiped with a cotton pad moistened with lotion.
Eye and ear care
Representatives of the ornamental breed often have inflammations of the cornea of the eyes, and this necessitates their systematic examination.
If inflammatory processes are detected, the mucosa is treated with an antibiotic.
Auricles also require regular care, including weekly cleaning with special sticks.
Tooth and Claw Care
Since the dog is intended for indoor keeping, its nails do not grind naturally. Horn formations must be shortened monthly, especially up to six months of age, in order to avoid improper limb formation.
To maintain the health of the oral cavity from an early age, the pet should be taught to brush your teeth using a special paste.
How to feed a pug
Pugs are prone to obesity, so when drawing up a ration for a pet, it is necessary to consider that:
- 75% of the food should be low-fat meat products and fish;
- 2 times a week in the menu you need to enter the yolks;
- daily the dog should be fed dairy products and vegetables.
For balanced pug feeding, premium ready-made dry feeds are also suitable.
How to train and educate a pug
The training of a pug begins from the moment it appears in a new house. The next six months is the most responsible and decisive period for which it is necessary to teach the dog all the basics of proper behavior. However, due to the stubbornness and playfulness of the pet, the training process is complicated, and sometimes it comes to a standstill due to the contradictions between the desires of the owner and the snub-nosed creature.
When training a pug, one should remember that he has a great desire to please the owner. This quality must be used in combination with consistent and hard work.If you do not skimp on praise and reward your pet for each completed command, a successful training result is guaranteed.
Pros and cons of the breed
Among the advantages of a pug stand out:
- friendliness and affectionate disposition;
- fast establishment of companionship with children;
- uniqueness of the exterior;
- lack of need for constant movement;
- rare barking.
The main disadvantages:
- stubbornness due to which poor learning is observed;
- constant molting;
- the need for quality care;
- snore.
The future owner should take into account both the advantages of the breed and its disadvantages before buying a puppy.
How much do dogs Pugs cost
The price of puppies with documents varies depending on the class:
- pet class for the home - 10 thousand rubles;
- breeding class for breeding - 13-15 thousand rubles;
- show class with a claim to the champion title - from 25 thousand rubles.
Pug is a unique representative of the decorative breed, which is great even for inexperienced dog breeders who have free time.
