Pug: Temperament, Size, Lifespan & Care

Pug temperament and personality

The AKC describes the Pug as having an even, stable temperament, great charm and an outgoing, loving nature, and rates it five out of five for affection, playfulness and openness to strangers. Bred purely as a companion, a Pug's main job is being close to you.

They are rated one out of five for barking, which makes them good neighbors. The flip side of all that devotion is that, as the AKC notes, a Pug will be unhappy if regularly left alone for long periods. VCA likewise says they have limited tolerance for being alone and prefer company. A harness made for Pugs, like those in our Pug harnesses, is a sensible first purchase for a dog that wants to walk right beside you.

How big do Pugs get?

The AKC lists the Pug at 10 to 13 inches tall and 14 to 18 pounds, with no separate figures by sex. It is a small but muscular, square-built dog with a large round head and wrinkled brow. Coat colors are silver or apricot-fawn with a black mask, or all black.

Weight creeps up easily on a dog that loves food and naps. Because the frame is compact, a couple of extra pounds is a large share of body weight and makes breathing harder. Use measured meals and count treats; your vet can help set a target.

Pug lifespan and common health issues

The AKC gives a Pug lifespan of 13 to 15 years. Like all flat-faced breeds, the AKC says Pugs can have breathing problems and do poorly in sunny, hot or humid weather. VCA describes brachycephalic airway syndrome as narrowed nostrils and airways that cause noisy breathing, snoring and tiring quickly, worse in heat.

The eyes are a vulnerable spot. The AKC notes corneal ulcers and dry eye, and VCA lists eye injury, skin fold infections, patellar luxation and Pug dog encephalitis among the breed's concerns. The AKC recommends hip, eye, patella and PDE DNA testing in breeding dogs. A squinting, watering or cloudy eye needs a vet the same day; labored breathing or collapse is an emergency.

Exercise needs

Given the chance, a Pug will spend much of the day on the sofa, which the AKC warns makes obesity a real possibility. But Pugs are playful and sturdy too, and daily moderate exercise, such as walks or play sessions, keeps them fit.

The AKC stresses that Pugs are not tolerant of hot weather and should not exercise hard in heat. Walk early or late on warm days, carry water, stop at the first sign of heavy panting and keep play indoors when it is hot. Avoid long runs or strenuous hikes.

Grooming and shedding

The short, smooth coat needs minimal maintenance, but the AKC is clear that it sheds, and rates shedding four out of five. Weekly brushing with a medium-bristle brush, a rubber mitt or a hound glove removes loose hair. Bathe only when needed.

The face needs more attention than the coat. VCA notes that skin folds trap moisture, so wipe and dry the nose wrinkle regularly and watch for redness or odor. Keep the eyes clean, trim nails regularly as the AKC advises, and brush the teeth, since small mouths crowd teeth.

Training a Pug

Pugs live to please, so the AKC says they are generally easy to train, but their feelings are easily hurt and harsh methods should never be used. Short, cheerful sessions with praise and small treats work well. The AKC recommends early socialization and puppy classes.

Because food motivates them so strongly, use part of the daily meal as training rewards rather than extra snacks. House training can take patience; a regular schedule and plenty of praise help. Teach the puppy to accept face and eye handling early.

Are Pugs good with kids and other pets?

Usually, yes. The AKC rates the Pug five out of five with young children and four out of five with other dogs, and VCA says they are typically good with children and usually social with other pets. Their sturdy build copes with gentle play better than many toy breeds.

Supervise all the same. Children should not grab the face or poke near the eyes, and rough play can overheat a Pug quickly. Introduce new dogs on neutral ground, and pick canine friends that will not play too roughly.

What a Pug needs at home

Useful kit includes a harness rather than a collar, which keeps pressure off the throat, a cooling mat for summer, a soft bed in a cool spot, gentle wipes for facial folds, a rubber grooming mitt and nail clippers. A slow-feeder bowl or puzzle feeder slows down fast eaters.

Keep the home cool in summer, block stairs for puppies and seniors, and keep sharp-edged furniture corners in mind at eye level. Book a vet visit soon after bringing your Pug home and ask about breathing, eye care and a healthy target weight.

This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.