With that wrinkled mug, the Pug looks like a serious fellow. But he's a clown at heart, and he'll keep you laughing–even when he's getting into mischief.
Heritage
The Pug originated in ancient China, but Holland became its adopted homeland after traders brought them there. In 1572, a Pug named Pompey saved the life of the Prince of Orange by alerting him to an assassin; in gratitude, the Pug was named the official dog of the House of Orange. After that, they became popular with European nobility throughout the continent. A Pug even accompanied William III when he ascended the British throne in 1688.
These days Pugs are better known for their roles in movies such as "Men in Black" and "Milo and Otis." With facial expressions that seem close to human, and personalities that love to ham it up, they're natural-born stars. They have equal star power in the home, always the center of attention. They love toys, games and snuggling.
Health and Upkeep
Pugs love to eat. You may need to ration his food, and very likely, feed a low calorie diet. When dieting a dog, you must make sure he gets enough vitamins. We suggest supplementing with a good multi-vitamin, probiotics and, if the coat is dry, a fatty-acid supplement.
Like all flat-faced dogs, Pugs tend to pass gas. Adding an anti-gas pill to every meal can help make the air more breathable.
Pug coat care can be both easy and hard. Easy, because the hair is short and requires only a quick brushing to remove dead hair once a week. Hard, because the folds of skin can harbor moisture and set up an ideal location for infections. To combat this you must clean and dry any recessed skin areas, especially those around the face, between the eyes and nose, and sometimes, at the union of the tail and back. Clean the folds with an antibacterial wipe and dry thoroughly. For some Pugs, once a week will suffice; for others, once a day.
Bathe as needed. For Pugs with healthy skin, we suggest a deodorizing shampoo. If your Pug has itchy skin, an avocado oil or oatmeal shampoo can help ease the itch.
Check the ears for signs of redness, itching or debris weekly. Any time they get goopy, clean with an ear-cleanser. If the goop comes back, see your veterinarian.
Small dogs are prone to dental problems and tooth loss, so brush the teeth daily.
Clip the nails every two weeks or so using a medium-duty dog nail clipper.
Pugs are perpetual puppies, but sometimes age-related physical changes, such as arthritis, make it tough to keep going at full intensity. Besides any intervention recommended by your veterinarian, a soft cushion to lie on and glucosamine chondroitin supplements added to the diet can help soothe aching joints, and keep him as young in body as he is in spirit.
