Pug - a bad idea?

[StuntCubble]

I'd love a pug but they seem to have lots of health problems. Am thinking maybe a Pug cross would be better. Am not adverse to a rescue and would happily bypass the puppy bit if possible. We already have a small dog but I don't think a rescue would consider us as we have small dc's.

Also is it much harder having two dogs compared to one? And is it a bad idea to get a Pug in particular?

Thanks

I have 3 dogs and have friends and aquaintances with as many as 8 so no, it's not that much hard work if you're a dog nutter like us.

There's no reason why rescue wouldn't consider you just because you have small children (speaking as someone who assists in this area here). The bigger ones often have set in stone policies but the smaller, independent ones are often far more flexible and are able to decide on a cae by case basis depending on the family and the dog in question.

If you go for rescue, seek out one which vaccinates, assesses the dog before rehoming, neuters as standard unless a vet advises otherwise for health reasons, offers lifetime support, will take the dog back at ANY time in his life if you can't keep him AND which homechecks, which is for your benefit and that of your family as much as the dog's.

If you go for a breeder please DON'T look for a crossbreed but only seek a purebreed pup or older dog through the BREED CLUB. KC registration alone means nothing, 90% of puppy farmed dogs are now KC reg, sadly. Be prepard to wait, a good breeder will only breed when he already has homes AND a reserve list in place and will breed only to improve breed lines with all health checks upon parents and pups carried out and available in ORIGINAL format, not copies. Never touch a breeder which won't question you to within an inch of your life, who can't talk genetics til you fall asleep from boredom and who won't take a dog back at ANTY stage of his life either and bear in mind that:

A good breeder will generally show and will have bred with the intention of keeping a pup to do so.

He will only breed his bitches very rarely, will not make a profit from it and will never breed a bitch younger than age 2 or older than age 4, 5 at most.

A breeder MUST be registered with his council if he breeds more than 4 litters in any 12 month period - contact his council and ask if he is registered.

A good breeder will ONLY breed one type of dog. If he breeds more than one breed, avoid.

A good breeder will NEVER advertise on epupz, Pets4Homes, Gumtree, shop windows, free ads and similar. The aforementioned websites are full of puppy farmers and backyard breeders (backyard breeders are the type who breed to make money/because their dog is cute/because they want the kids to see pups in the home - these BYBs don't carry out all health checks, don't choose the BEST stud dog, just the cheapest or most convenient and won't be there for you if you need help or can't keep the dog in 10 years time).

A puppy farmer is a bugger for the unaware to spot these days. Many use "normal family homes as a front for their businesses and fool potential owners. Hence always go via the breed club to find a reputable breeder.

All that said, there are thousands of dogs in need of homes in rescue, many coming from family homes with a history behind them and a good rescue will assess the dog regardless. Please remember, last of all, that it's not the breed that's important, it's the dog which is right for you. Take it from the woman who, having lost her dear little 12 yo collie cross to cancer went looking for a similar sized, same sex collie cross of about 4 to 6 years of age... and came home after much searching with a ruddy huge long haired white German Shepherd boy of 9 years. Not what I was looking for in the least but, although I've owned and fostered many other dogs since, THE most perfect dog for me and for my family that I could ever have wished for and I know I'll never find quite so perfect a match again.

I'm very biased, I fight to stop dogs being killed in pounds and by uncaring owners... but, all I can say is that find the right rescue and THEY will find YOU the right dog.

Thank you Val, my only reason for a cross breed is less health implications breathing problems etc? I have read your post through though and will definitely consider a rescue. I know it's shallow but the pugs just appeal to me so much looks wise but I'm not totally set on it

PS - I advise strongly that you don't go to a "breeder" for a crossbreed as they won't health check, haven't the interest of the breed at heart, aren't breeding to improve breed lines but only for profit etc.

its not shallow. i think a lot of us have breed/colour preferences . but i also went to rescue looking for another jrt but rehomed a collie cross!

Oh god no, not shallow!

This thread goes over some of the misconceptions surrounding crossbreeds - simply put, they are no less likely to suffer from health problems.

Nothing wrong with crossbreeds per se, toboldlygo, I have one myself. there's a lot wrong with buying a crossbreed from a "breeder", who will only EVER be a backyard breeder, though, and not only encouraging such a practice whilst so many healthy dogs die in pounds and disreputable rescues across the country, but also buying a dog without any of the health checks and support that a reputable breeder or rescue will offer.

Stunt, you've mentioned your liking for the way pugs look, but have you thought about what you and your family will be doing with your dog when you have one? A pug will not be able to run around, play vigourously, do very long walks, do Cani X, etc. If your family is very active and you can picture yourselves taking dog on geocaching expeditions, long muddy walks, playing in the woods etc, then another breed, or a healthy mongrel might well be the way to go. This website here gives a lot of info about eye care for pugs, and other breed info - you should factor in plenty of time for grooming, care of eyes and ears when considering the breed.

Val - agreed (I was Hephaestus, am a serial name changer ).

Just trying to rally against the "all pedigree dogs are inbred freaks so I will buy a nice healthy pugadoodleshit from that ad in the paper" crew.

Hi there Hep/toboldly! Nice to "see* you again. :)

I quite agree with you about the misconception about these stupid "designer" crossbreeds and the idea that it's a great idea to buy one and/or purchase through the BYB's/puppy farmers' free ads. :)

OP, would you consider something like a Boston terrier? Small, squashy-faced (but not the extremes of the pug), generally active and athletic. Ignore the terrier part of the name, they were bred as companion dogs. Quite unusual in this country so you might have to go on a few waiting lists but you'd be most likely to get a good one for that reason.

What I would most advocate though is contacting a few rescues (as pointed out by Val, the smaller independent rescues are often more flexible and, in my experience, the dogs spend less time in kennels and more time being assessed in a home environment), telling them what your circumstances are and waiting for them to match a dog to you.

I recently experienced the most seamless introduction of a new dog that I've ever known in this way, he was matched to us on all counts and from day one it was like he'd always been here. :)

I don't know if you've sorted your pug issue out yet, but just seen the thread and thought i'd share my experience.

Our first pug sadly died just before his 2nd birthday. he'd had a burst blood vessel in his brain and started suffereing seizures which worsened. We rushed him to a specialist hospital where he seemed to improve for a few days, but then, sadly, suffered another seizure and died. it was the most heartbreaking time of our lives and he is still missed dearly.

We now have 2 other pugs, one approx 2 1/2 and one just turned 1.

They are amazing little dogs, but do suffer a lot of health problems. Our first pug was always at the vets for one thing or another, but, touch wood, these 2 haven't been too bad.

If you are considering a pug be prepared for many trips to the vets (and the resulting financial implications) and ongoing worry.

when choosing our pugs we were so careful of the breeders and I ended up getting on the wrong side of some because of how meticulously i inspected the pedigrees etc (but then a good breeder would understand this). you need to make sure there is not inbreeding on the pedigree.

also, as a previous poster has said, you need to consider your lifestyle. Pugs don't like too hot or too cold weather and should not be walked too far. they are very lively though, so do need some exercise (they are not an old lady's lap dog as some people think!).

Pugs should never be left on their own all day so are not suitable if you are out at work - they are very much people dogs.

Hope this helps