15 Vet-Reviewed Pug Pros & Cons: Facts for First-Time Dog Owners

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The Pug is a popular breed of dog that has captured the hearts of many dog lovers worldwide with their wrinkly face, playful personality, and affectionate nature. Pugs make excellent pets for families and individuals alike. However, before deciding to bring this dog into your home, you must consider the pros and cons of living with one.

Pug Pros

1. Affectionate & Loyal

Most owners describe their Pugs as being incredibly affectionate and loyal. These dogs love to snuggle up and cuddle on the couch and are happiest when they’re close to their human companions, so they are perfect for people who can spend plenty of time with them.

2. Playful & Energetic

Despite their small size, Pugs are incredibly playful and love to run. They are always up for a game of fetch or tug of war and seem to never run out of energy, making them ideal for active people and families with children who can spend time running around with them and having fun.

3. Keen Learner

The Pug is an intelligent breed keen to engage in training. They are eager to please their owners and work well with positive reinforcement training methods like extra praise and treats. You can teach your Pug a wide range of tricks with patience and consistency. Training will also help your pet feel more secure when meeting new people and being in unfamiliar locations.

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4. Good With Other Pets

Pugs usually get along really well with other pets, including cats and other dogs. Their friendly and nonaggressive nature makes them easy to get along with, and they don’t usually go around looking for trouble, nor do they have a strong prey drive that might cause them to chase after small animals.

5. Low Grooming Needs

Pugs have short coats that need little brushing and minimal bathing, so you won’t have to spend a great deal of time looking after their coat to be kept smooth and glossy. They only require a weekly brushing for most of the year.

In spring and fall, when the shedding seasons begin, you might need to increase the brushing frequency for a few weeks because in spite of their short coat, they do shed.

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6. Great With Children

The Pug’s gentle and playful nature makes them ideal for families with small children. They enjoy playing with kids and are usually patient and tolerant of their antics, though you will still need to supervise them while they’re around kids.

7. Good for Apartment Living

Pugs can adapt well to living in small spaces like apartments because they love sleeping and snuggling on the sofa. However, this does not at all mean that they do not need exercise. Pugs need daily sessions of run and play, otherwise they will be prone to weight gain and will become frustrated.

8. Friendly With Strangers

The Pug’s friendly and outgoing personality makes them great with strangers. They’re rarely aggressive toward people, so they’re ideal for families that receive frequent visitors. Their friendly nature also means they can be brought to pet-friendly locations, such as stores and other venues that allow you to visit with your pet.

9. Moderate Exercise Requirements

Pugs don’t require lengthy and intense exercise sessions, so they can be good partners for unsporty people or those with limited mobility. They’re also ideal for older adults who cannot go for long walks.

Pug Cons

10. Health Issues

Unfortunately, Pugs are prone to a wide range of health issues, mainly due to the extreme body shape for which they have been bred. Their brachycephalic conformation (flat faces) makes them susceptible to breathing difficulties and overheating, and care must be taken not to expose them to high temperatures or humidity.

Their eyes are also very vulnerable to damage because of their face shape and shallow orbits. The wrinkles in their skin can also be a source of skin problems.

11. Stubborn

Despite being easy to train, Pugs can be stubborn and sensitive. They have a strong-willed nature that can make them difficult to deal with when they want something. New owners tend to coddle them at first, which can lead to bigger problems later and make training more difficult.

12. Prone to Weight Gain

Pugs love food and sleeping and can become overweight if they eat as much as they want or don’t get enough exercise. They also tend to constantly be underfoot, begging for treats, which can also cause weight gain. Work with your vet to establish your Pug’s dietary needs, and you will get a happy and healthy pup that will avoid problems such as obesity and joint issues.

Remember to monitor your Pug’s weight carefully and adjust their diet and exercise as needed.

13. Noisy

Pugs are not the most vocal dogs, but they can be noisy at times. They tend to whine frequently, especially when they’re not getting their way. Pugs also tend to snore, due to the shape of their nose and airways, and while it might be cute at times, it can also disturb your sleep, and more importantly, it’s an indicator that the air can’t flow in and out as it should.

Snoring should not be overlooked, and we recommend that you contact your vet if you notice your Pug gets noisy when asleep.

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14. Need Plenty of Company

Pugs like to spend time with their owners and can be very unhappy if you leave them alone for too long. To avoid problems such as separation anxiety you should train your dog to show them how to be left alone (for short periods of time, of course!).

15. Require a Financial Commitment

Any dog requires ongoing costs, but starting from the high prices Pug breeders ask for and following with the high potential for health problems in the breed, living with a Pug can require a significant budget. Frequent vet visits will help you detect any issues early, but these will also raise the cost of owning this pet.

One way you can lower those expenses is by getting pet insurance and considering the advantages of veterinary telehealth services. It's better to address health issues early on, before they become a bigger problem

Summing Up

Pugs are wonderful pets that can bring their owners a great deal of joy and companionship. However, you should consider their unique characteristics and weigh in the pros and cons of this breed before seeking one out. While affectionate, playful, friendly, and one of the best family dog breeds.

Pugs are also prone to various health issues and can be stubborn and require a significant budget to keep them healthy. However, if you are willing to put in the time and effort to keep them in perfect shape, you will make a friend who is loyal and fun to have around.

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Featured Image Credit: 220 Selfmade studio, Shutterstock