Pug puppy experiences please

[cafesociety]

I've been thinking of getting another dog and a neighbour has pug puppies who are gorgeous. I'm very tempted as retired and home most of the time but no experience of the breed or how they are as puppies [regarding house training etc]. Your thoughts/experiences?

[adaline]

Poor things can't breathe

[AvocadosBeforeMortgages]

There are massive health and welfare problems around their squashed faces (brachycephalic being the technical term). Many cannot breathe properly and require expensive corrective surgery. It has been likened to trying to breathe through a straw. They also have lots of other health problems - eyes in particular. Insurance is correspondingly high.

I find it incredibly sad that they never seem to be able to keep up with my little terrier in the park - they just don't have the stamina so keep on playing as he does.

Personally I wouldn't touch the breed with a bargepole, purely for health and welfare reasons.

[whiskyremorse]

They look so cute but a friend has had pedigree pugs for a few years and they have all died by the age of 5 due to heart defects so woth the research before you break your heart (literally) on the breed

[DownAndUnder]

OP if you’re really interested in a pug I’ve seen some on dogs trust and many tears before.

[DeadButDelicious]

Full disclosure, I have/had 2 rescue pugs. The first one died almost 2 years ago at the age of 5 from PDE (pug dog encephalitis, now more commonly known as NME, necrotising meningoencephalitis, an auto immune condition that attacks and kills the brain) and my second, who we adopted 6 months ago, is 4 and had been used for breeding, she is in mostly good health but it's took its toll, she was in the early stages of pyo when we got her, her spay was done as an emergency, she's also lost 5 teeth.

Pugs are not 'easy' dogs. They have a list of potential health conditions, problems with breathing, problems with eyes, problems with their spines, they cannot really be left alone, they are companion dogs, they need company. Toilet training is often difficult. They are stubborn as mules. They shed. A lot. Especially the fawn ones.

If you want a puppy then there are things you really need to know about the history of the parents, have they been tested for PDE/NME? Have they been tested for hemivertibra? Hip displasia? Are they showing any signs of BOAS (brachycephalic obstructed airways syndrome)? How are there eyes? Are they closely related? Have you thought about insurance? Because you will need it. Lifetime cover is not cheap and bad insurance is about as good as no insurance.

If you really want a pug and everything that comes along with them, please, please, please consider rescuing one. They have become so popular and so many are being given up to rescue.

[DeadButDelicious]

I've just seen that you are retired and home a lot, you could be an ideal candidate for a rescue pug. It's so rewarding, they really are special little dogs. My current rescue is a smashing little dog. I wouldn't be without her.