The Pug Big Dog Owners Complete Guide

Welcome to the Pug Big Dog Owners Complete Guide! Pugs are a popular breed for many reasons, but they do require some special care. Pugs are a relatively small breed, but they can be prone to obesity if not properly exercised.

Pugs have a short, easy-to-maintain coat that requires regular brushing. This breed is known for its flat face, which can make breathing more difficult, especially in hot or humid climates.

Pugs are members of the toy breed, despite their stocky build. They weigh between 14 and 18 pounds and can be 10 - 11 inches tall.

Their bodies are square-like, with substantial legs, whereas their heads are big and round, with a short muzzle, and deep forehead wrinkles. Their eyes are dark, shiny, and somewhat protruding, which makes them prone to trauma.

Pugs have a short but dense double coat that comes in different colors: silver, black, fawn, and apricot. All Pugs have a black face mask, except for the black ones.

Their short coat is actually a double coat, and they shed like crazy, especially during the summer months. This is something to keep in mind if you're considering bringing a pug into your home.

Pugs come in two standard colors with a few tonal variations: fawn with a black mask or all-black. The fawn or tan coat color can range from a warm apricot to a cool and rarely seen silver.

Their heads feature their signature short, flat, black muzzle covered with deep wrinkles. Their prominent eyes dominate their comical, wrinkly face and showcase a range of emotions.

Here are the standard colors of a pug's coat:

A true purebred Pug won't have markings other than the possible sable pattern in fawn varieties. You'll also notice equally distributed fur and strong, straight legs.

Pugs have short, smooth, and glossy coats that require minimal maintenance. They shed, so you'll need to brush your dog once or twice a week to remove loose hair.

Their grooming needs are simple, but don't neglect their nail care - regular trims are a must. You should also keep their facial wrinkles clean with a gentle wiping using a wet cloth daily.

Pugs don't need frequent bathing, but if they get dirty or smelly, a bath is in order.

Grooming is a crucial aspect of your pug's overall health and well-being. Pugs have short, smooth, and glossy coats that require minimal maintenance, but they do shed, so regular brushing is necessary.

You'll need to brush your pug once or twice a week to remove loose hair. This will help keep their coat looking its best and prevent matting.

Pugs don't need frequent bathing, but their nails should be trimmed on a regular basis. This will help prevent overgrowth and keep your pug comfortable.

Their facial wrinkles can be prone to dirt and moisture, so gentle wiping with a wet cloth daily is a good idea. This will help keep them clean and prevent infections.

Additional reading: Why Is My Dog's Chest so Big?

Pugs are prone to developing dry eye, where the tear glands produce insufficient quantities of the dog's own tears. This means that your dog might need medications for life such as lubricating eye drops and is at risk of suffering from chronic infections and corneal ulcers.

Their prominent eyes can get easily injured and must be kept moist.

Pugs are also prone to entropion, which causes their eyelids to roll inward.

Pugs typically reach their full adult size by the time they turn 9 months of age.

Bone growth in Pugs is established by the time they're about a year old, but they may still put on muscle mass and bulk up over the next year.

Certain factors can influence overall growth in Pugs, such as genetics or nutrition.

Pugs develop quicker than medium to large breeds due to their small breed size.

Always ensure you're feeding your Pug the exact measurements for their age and weight to support healthy growth.

If you suspect a growth disorder, you can run further testing to determine the issue and find a remedy.

Pugs can be somewhat picky eaters, so it's not uncommon for them to turn up their noses at dry kibble.

However, dry kibble is better for your dog because it's more nutritious and less likely to cause loose stools. Too much-wet food can lead to digestive issues.

Some pet owners choose to feed their dogs a combination of quality dry dog food and wet dog food, while others stick to one or the other.

No matter what diet you choose, make sure it's complete and free from artificial ingredients and heavy preservatives.

Related reading: Is Canidae Dog Food Good for Dogs