ToyChina

Pug

A lot of dog in a small space.

Weight: 14–18 lbs
Height: 10–13 in
Lifespan: 10–13 yrs

In short

The Pug is an ancient toy breed from China, kept for centuries purely as a companion, including by Chinese emperors, weighing 14–18 lbs and living 10–13 years. Its flat face makes heat and hard exercise genuinely dangerous, and keeping it lean is the best thing you can do for its breathing.

Is it right for you?

A great match if you…

want a funny, affectionate shadow
live in an apartment with air conditioning
prefer short walks to long runs

Think twice if you…

live somewhere hot without reliable AC
want a running or hiking partner
mind snoring and lots of shedding

The daily plan

Exercise: 30–60 min
Training: 1–2 × 5 min
Treat limit: 45–55 kcal

At a glance

TrainabilityWilling learner6.0/10

EnergyEasygoing3.0/10

Calm at homeCalm indoors10.0/10

SheddingHeavy shedder8.0/10

What sets it apart

01
Flat face
The short muzzle narrows the airway, so snoring is common and overheating can happen fast.
02
Large, prominent eyes
The eyes sit exposed and are easily scratched, so squinting or a cloudy eye needs a vet the same day.
03
Deep nose wrinkle
The fold over the nose traps moisture and needs wiping to prevent skin infections.

Size & coat

Weight	14–18 lbs
Height	10–13 in
Lifespan	10–13 yrs
Coat	Short, smooth, fine double coat in fawn or black

Side profile 10–13 in at the shoulder

Back in stock soon

Personality

Pugs are comedians who want to be wherever you are, including the bathroom. They are even-tempered, rarely aggressive and happy to nap most of the day. Expect snoring, snorting and a dog that follows you room to room.

With kids

Sturdy and patient with kids; teach children to keep hands away from the eyes.

With other pets

Usually friendly with dogs and cats.

With strangers

Friendly with almost everyone; not a guard dog.

Alone time

Prefer constant company and can become clingy or vocal when left alone.

Training

Pugs want to please but have a stubborn streak, and food is their main motivator. Short, upbeat sessions work better than long drills.

How often

1–2 sessions a day of about 5 minutes each.
Socialize early (8–16 weeks)

Between 8 and 16 weeks, focus on handling the face, eyes, wrinkles and nails, plus wearing a harness, since collars put pressure on the airway.
Self-control

Teach a calm wait at doors and a settle on a mat; housetraining takes patience, so use a strict schedule.
What it works for

Pugs work for food, so use small, high-value pieces and keep treats within 10% of daily calories, because they gain weight easily. Count training treats as part of the day's food.

Exercise

Short, easy walks and indoor play are enough. The goal is fitness and weight control, not endurance.

Exercise a day 30–60 min

CouchModerateAthlete

Good outlets

Short walks in cool weather
Gentle indoor fetch
Easy play with friendly dogs

Brain work

Trick training
Snuffle mats and food puzzles
Find-it scent games

Best home

Apartment friendly; needs air conditioning in hot weather.

Watch for Heatstroke is a real danger, so skip exercise in heat or humidity and stop if breathing gets loud or labored.

Feeding

Adult maintenance for a typical Pug (14–18 lbs) lands around 450–550 kcal a day. Feed to body condition, not the bag's chart alone, and keep treats inside the 10% rule.

Puppy (to 12 mo)

Daily calories: 550–675 kcal
Protein: 26–30%
Fat: 16–20%
Treat limit, all treats: 55–70 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: about 3 pieces a day

Adult Maintenance

Daily calories: 450–550 kcal
Protein: 24–28%
Fat: 14–18%
Treat limit, all treats: 45–55 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 2–3 pieces a day

Active / Working

Daily calories: 625–750 kcal
Protein: 26–30%
Fat: 18–22%
Treat limit, all treats: 65–75 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 3–4 pieces a day

Senior

Daily calories: 400–475 kcal
Protein: 24–28%
Fat: 12–16%
Treat limit, all treats: 40–50 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: about 2 pieces a day

Compare every life stage

Life stage	Daily calories	Protein	Fat	Treat limit (all treats)	Saylor's liver, suggested / day
Puppy (to 12 mo)	550–675 kcal	26–30%	16–20%	55–70 kcal	about 3 pieces
Adult Maintenance	450–550 kcal	24–28%	14–18%	45–55 kcal	2–3 pieces
Active / Working	625–750 kcal	26–30%	18–22%	65–75 kcal	3–4 pieces
Senior	400–475 kcal	24–28%	12–16%	40–50 kcal	about 2 pieces

The treat limit is the 10% rule for every treat combined. Saylor's liver is suggested at about 2% of daily calories, as a small topper: liver is very rich in vitamin A, so it should not become a staple. Check with your vet if your dog has a health condition or a special diet.

Health & grooming

Pugs are prone to breathing problems (brachycephalic airway syndrome), eye injuries, skin fold infections, hip dysplasia and Pug Dog Encephalitis. Keeping them lean helps their breathing most.

Watch for	Ask the breeder or vet for	When
Hip dysplasia	OFA hip evaluation	Once, in breeding dogs (ask the breeder)
Luxating patella	OFA patella exam	Once, in breeding dogs (ask the breeder)
Inherited eye disease	CAER eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist	Yearly in breeding dogs (ask the breeder)
Pug Dog Encephalitis (NME)	PDE DNA test	Once, in parents (ask the breeder)

Official health tests for breeding dogs

The OFA's CHIC program asks Pug breeders to test for these. Ask to see the results before you buy a puppy.

Kneecap (patella) check
Eye exam (ophthalmologist)
Pug Dog Encephalitis

Also recommended

Hip evaluation
Elbow evaluation
Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency (PKD)
Serum Bile Acid Test
Spine evaluation
Tracheal Hypoplasia
Heart exam

See the full list on OFA.org

Grooming Heavy year-round for a short coat, peaking in spring

Brush 1–2 times a week with a rubber curry or deshedding brush. Wipe and dry the nose wrinkle daily. Trim nails every 2–3 weeks, check ears weekly and brush teeth several times a week.

History

Ancient

Imperial companions

Short-faced dogs like the Pug were kept by Chinese emperors.
1500s–1600s

To Europe

Dutch traders brought Pugs to Europe, where they became favorites of the House of Orange.
1800s–today

Modern companion

Queen Victoria kept Pugs, and the AKC recognized the breed in 1885.

Questions owners ask

Are Pugs easy to train?

Moderately. They are eager and food-motivated but stubborn, and housetraining can take a while. Short, positive sessions work best.

Are Pugs good with kids and other pets?

Yes. They are sturdy, patient and friendly with kids and pets. Teach children to be careful around the eyes.

How much exercise does a Pug need?

Plan on 30–60 minutes a day of easy walks and play, in cool weather only.

Do Pugs shed?

Yes, a lot for a short coat. Brush 1–2 times a week and clean the nose wrinkle daily.

What health problems do Pugs have, and how long do they live?

They typically live 10–13 years. Breathing problems, eye injuries, skin fold infections, hip dysplasia and Pug Dog Encephalitis are the main concerns.

Is a Pug good for apartments or first-time owners?

Yes. Their size, calm energy and friendly nature suit apartments and new owners, as long as you can keep them cool and lean.

Freeze Dried Beef Liver Dog Treats

Back in stock soon

We're restocking. When it's back, a Pug needs only 2–3 pieces a day, well inside the 45–55 kcal treat limit.

See the product

Where the Pug ranks

Health tests follow the OFA's CHIC program. The treat limit is 10% of daily calories for all treats combined. Every dog is different, so use this as a starting point and ask your vet about yours.