Pug breed guide

Pugs pack a lot of personality into their small frame, making them popular with pet parents around the world!

Read our guide to find out more about the playful pug breed…

Pug breed history

There’s a lot of mystery surrounding the origins of the pug breed, thanks to various stories, myths, and legends about this friendly, little dog…

Many believe the pug’s story began in China, as an ancestor of the Pekingese breed. Pugs were said to have been treasured by emperors and even had their own teams of staff to take care of them!

During the 16^th century, however, traders took pugs back to the Netherlands with them, where they were an instant hit with the aristocracy – thanks to their size and charming personalities.

As of the 17^th century, pugs had made their way into the hearts of nobility in the UK, after William III and Mary II succeeded to the English throne.

Today, the pug’s playfulness and larger-than-life attitude means they’re a popular choice of canine companion for families and lone pet parents alike!  

Common characteristics of the pug breed

Please remember that the following characteristics are considered ‘average’ for pugs, and since each dog is a unique individual, your pug’s characteristics may differ. 

Average height for a pug

The majority of pugs are about 25-33cm in height (at the shoulder).

Average weight for a pug

Most pugs tend to weigh approximately 6-8kg.

Average lifespan for a pug 

Generally, a pug’s lifespan is around just 7 years, owing to the risk of life-limiting health disorders seen in this breed (like breathing problems).  

Typical pug appearance

Pugs usually have a compact, muscular frame. Their muzzle is short and wrinkly, whereas their eyes are large, round, and full of expression. They also have either ‘button ears’, that fold forwards to cover their ear openings, or ‘rose ears’, with small ear flaps that fold over and back. The pug has a high-set, curled tail, too.

Sadly, the pug’s appearance is a major cause of this breed’s poor health, due to their flat face, making it difficult for them to breathe properly (meaning they’re ‘brachycephalic’). Additionally, since the pug breed has been developed to have exaggerated features, they often end up suffering from several life-limiting health conditions.    

A pug’s coat is usually short, fine, and soft. In terms of coat colour, pugs can have black, fawn (light brown), or silver (very pale grey) coats with a dark coloured muzzle and ears.

Typical pug temperament

As well as being incredibly loyal and affectionate towards their pet parents, pugs are usually excellent around other pets, like cats, too – when safely introduced. Plus, since they tend to share such strong bonds with their families, pugs love being involved in all your activities, from pet-friendly picnics to exploring exciting, new destinations!

However, due to their family-orientated nature, pugs are known to suffer from separation anxiety if left alone for too long.

Your pug will likely need around an hour’s exercise each day, ideally broken up into a few smaller walks to avoid over-exerting them. While many pugs seem to have endless energy for playing, and following you everywhere, they should never be exercised during hot weather due to the increased risk of heat-related conditions.

If you’re already owned by a pug, you’ll know that they’re extremely clever dogs who excel at training, as long as you’ve found the right reward to motivate them! But don’t forget to provide plenty of enrichment activities for your pug at home, because they’re intelligent and their mind needs to be occupied if you want to avoid unwanted behaviours.

Pug health conditions

It’s not unusual for pedigree breeds to be prone to certain health concerns, and, unfortunately, pugs are no exception.

Here are a few health conditions commonly seen in the pug:

• BOAS (brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome).
• Skin infections (especially in the folds of skin around their face).
• Hip dysplasia.
• Eyelid problems.
• Pug Dog Encephalitis (PDE causes blindness, seizures, and mobility issues).

Remember: Keep an eye out for any health issues your pug may develop, and get your canine companion checked by a vet if you have any concerns.

Fun facts about pugs

Fact 1 – Queen Victoria was so passionate about the pug breed that she didn’t just enjoy showing them, but also kept 36 pugs of her own!

Fact 2 – A group of pugs is called a ‘grumble’.

Fact 3 – Rescued pug, Mashu, was seven years old when he played the role of ‘Frank’ in the Men in Black film, so he needed make-up to hide his grey hairs!

Fact 4 – In Latin, pugs are described as “multum in parvo”, which means “a lot in a little”.

Fact 5 – Some pug owners believe that black-coated pugs tend to be more active than pugs who have fawn-coloured coats.