The pug

An excellent companion dog, Pug dogs are a natural clowns and are playful, loving and outgoing.Breed history
The breed originated in China in the 1600s and quickly became a popular companion dog throughout Asia and Europe. They are one of several Chinese dogs, such as the Pekingese, that are sometimes referred to as Foo Dogs (‘lion’ dogs) because of their resemblance to Chinese guardian lions. It belongs to the toy dog breeds group Pug dogs became very popular in the courts of Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries and were one of the favourite breeds of England’s Queen Victoria in the 19th century.Today, the Pug’s bright personality and loving nature have made it one of Australia’s most popular puppy breeds.Personality•Playful and clownish •Loving •Intelligent and independent •Even-tempered Good with children?Yes - pugs love to play with their families but children must be taught to be careful with the dog's delicate, protruding eyes.Exercise needsPug dogs do not need a great deal of exercise but appreciate a daily walk and a game with a ball or toy. As they can be enthusiastic eaters, care must be taken not to overfeed and under-exercise them as they can quickly become obese.HealthWith good nutrition and adequate exercise, they can be sturdy, healthy little dogs and live well into their teens. Because they lack prominent brow ridges and their noses are short, pugs’ eyes can be easily damaged by scratches and puncture wounds.They also have a brachycephalic head (that is, a short, snub-nosed skull), so they should not be exercised in very hot or humid weather as they easily experience breathing problems in these conditions. In fact, pug dogs are particularly sensitive to the heat and should be kept indoors in an air-conditioned room in summer.They are known to be great snorers and regularly snuffle over their human companions! More seriously, like many other small, short-nosed dogs they can suffer from ‘reverse sneezing’, where the dog snorts and seems to struggle for breath. The symptoms can be relieved by gently rubbing the throat to make the dog swallow or by briefly and gently placing a finger across the dog’s nostrils. Some dogs can grow out of the condition.They are easy to over-feed - they love their food and don't know when to say 'no'! This can easily lead to obesity and all its associated health problems, such as heart conditions and diabetes.Possible health problemsPug dog encephalitis (PDE) (an inflammation of the brain specific to the breed which is inherited and for which there is no known cure)Hemivertebrae (a malformation of the spine – the Pug’s screw-tail is a harmless example of hemivertebrae but if it occurs further up the spine it can cause paralysis)Entropion eye (the eyelid folds inward causing discomfort, as the eyelashes rub against the cornea constantly)Demodectic mange (also called ‘red mange’ – the immune system of some pugs is unable to cope with an infestation of the microscopic mites that cause mange and the dog suffers from hair loss and red, scaly skin)GroomingPug dogs have a short coat that sheds profusely. Regular grooming can help to minimise shedding. The folds in the dog’s face should be wiped clean regularly to prevent infections. When grooming, remember to check the paws, ears and coat for grass seeds. Also check for any minor injuries and check the teeth to see if they need cleaning.