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If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Pugs

139 replies

Myusernameisunique · 07/03/2018 10:44

So DH and I have been looking for a family pet for a while now. We've settled on a pug after a lot of research. I've been on touch with an amazing and very knowledgeable breeder who has recommended a breeder to us who has pups that are ready to go. She knows the breeder well and her dog was the stud for this litter so I feel like we'd be making a good choice taking on a pup from this line.
We go to visit in a few days with the possible plan of bringing him home if we decide we want to take him.
I now need to hear from you all about pugs. I would like owner experiences and want to know everything. The good, bad and the ugly! I think it will be a lot more helpful than the articles I've read online. Anything is appreciated so thank you very much in advance!

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Myusernameisunique · 08/03/2018 18:44

Thank you! I totally do appreciate everyones advice and insight please don't think I don't! I completely agree that the current popularity of these little guys has been absolutely devastating to the breed and that there needs to be more in place to stop people without the first clue from breeding dogs. I really do want a pet not a fashion accessory and that's not why o chose the breed at all. Their personalities are one of the biggest reasons, I don't want a big dog or one that needs hours of walking every day as well although I'm happy to do a few shorter walks a day with him. I'll see how it goes tomorrow and keep you all posted. I'm going in with a very open mind.

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villainousbroodmare · 08/03/2018 18:52

Breeders. It's not exactly rocket science to put two dogs in a room to have sex. Always amazed how much faith gullible owners place in the pronouncements of an entirely unqualified group of strangers of wildly varying degrees of reliability who are solely or mainly interested in making their money by selling you one of their puppies.
At least a used car salesperson is likely to have more than one make or model to show you.

BiteyShark · 08/03/2018 18:53

I think with any breed you should prepare yourself for the worst bit of them and I guess for pugs that is probably their health.

Just a word of caution, my dog (spaniel) has had his fair share of accidents and illnesses and we have spent far too many days at the vets. Having to 'nurse' a dog after operations and investigations is no fun and takes a lot of organising, time and energy. If you are unlucky and your pug does have a lot of health issues be prepared for spending a lot of time going back and forth to the vets and definitely get good insurance rather than the cheapest premium.

marchonwards · 08/03/2018 22:43

Good for you for asking and actually listening to what's being said.

I will be honest and say I made a mistake years ago buying a puppy. This was pre internet and I thought I knew what I was doing. But nobody could have told me I was making a mistake. I had 'puppy fever'. I was also 'on the rebound' from dog1 suddenly dying and I was lonely.

It was clearly from a well run puppy farm, and I was 'had'. I made the mistake of just wanting to get the dog away and make it all alright.

Never again. I was so bloody impatient. I tried to get a dog to fit in with my own schedule, and no rescue or reputable breeder would have handed me the pup at my convenience.

It was a disaster. Wrong dog, wrong time, dog was not true to breed type etc. I contacted a breed specific rescue as I couldn't cope. They said no as it wasn't a pedigree.

I gave the dog up to rescue centre in the end. What a mistake. It's been 10 years and I still regret it. Everything about it.

Adult rescues all the way since then though!

wombatron · 09/03/2018 07:19

OP just popped on to comment.

I have 2 pugs, both 9 and 10. One has had no health problems at all, the other has suffered mast cell tumours (benign and low grade) frequently in the most recent years. The one who suffers these tumours was the runt of litter, and perhaps I made a mistake in picking her as because she was so very fiesty after being cared for by the breeder and hand fed and cared for - she passed all her health checks. Mast cell tumours are not breed specific, they are common in a whole host of dog breeds.

People of MN don't like Pugs. They call them fashionable and designer but they have been around 100's and 100's of years, though like all dogs they have been changed as they have bred out. Half the problems listed here are people taking the most common ailments and applying it to all.

All dogs have problems. Great Danes, bloat. Cockers have a rage thing. Sharpei, skin problems and allergies, chihuahuas... well... snappy and nervous. Look up any breed and theirs a list of problems.

So here's my breakdown from my own experience.

Breathing: both of mine breath perfectly. They won't be going with me on a run but they breath fine and dandy and not laboured. They snore sometimes but really depends on what positing they fall asleep in. They do get hot so on days when it's above a certain temp in summer we skip our walk - no one really complains. They play, run about and do dog things with no problems.

Eyes: both fine. No problems in the last 10 years. They have a pigment issue which may cause problems but nothing other old dogs won't have issues with. Face flaps - one of mine rarely needs it doing. The other has deep folds which requires wiping once a week with a wipe (box lasts flipping ages and not expensive), and drying with kitchen roll after.

Teeth: they don't have many left now, but still crunch their way through a carrot each evening.

Hair: lord the hair. Furminator brush and shampoo/conditioner. It will save your sanity. Pets at home grooming parlours offer this service, I take mine every 6 weeks and wear a lot of grey when she's shedding. But regular grooming is a must. It takes 10mins once a week with the brush with regular shampoos.
Black pugs shed considerably less than fawn pugs. Fawns have an undercoat whereas black ones do not. It does come in cycles though as a PP has said.

Personality: gorgeous beautiful dogs. Wonderful around children despite not being in regular contact with them. Funny and loving, they're going to steal your heart and everyone who meets them.

Exercise: when younger they went 20mins twice a day. Now their old they aren't that interested and run for the sofa but will still go for 20mins a day and longer on weekends (45mins or so). They don't get irritable if it's bad weather and we don't go for a few days - mine don't really like the rain so I don't torture us.

Weight. The little one has 35g of food with 1/4 a pouch of wet food, (she is 6kg), the big one has 45g of dry food with 1/4 pouch of wet (he's 9kg). Twice a day. They are predisposed to gain weight and I'm very strict on them not having treats daily (hence carrot). But if you buy a good quality food they won't go hungry and with exercise they won't gain weight. ALL dogs get fat if you over feed and don't exercise. Less exercise? Less food. This really isn't a breed specific thing just common sense... but with pugs you do need to be a bit stricter as they just don't burn it off.

It is pot luck health wise with any dog you get. Take a good look around the breeders and keep in mind people will only tell you the horror stories/bad things - especially on an Internet forum where you most probably won't have a balanced view. As I've said MN hates so called 'designer' dogs, you have Pug in the title and this will naturally draw people who disagree with the breed to comment.

Enjoy visiting the puppies, they are scrumptious balls of squish! Feel free to PM if you have any questions.

wombatron · 09/03/2018 07:22

Sorry it's so long!

Veterinari · 09/03/2018 07:51

It sounds like your pugs are doing fairly well Wombatron but as a Vet I have to disagree that corneal pigmentation (due to exposure keratitis because of bulging eye) tooth loss at the age of 9/10, exercise intolerance, or snoring whilst sleeping are in any way ‘normal’

One of the big challenges in improving the health and welfare of brachycephalic breeds (and other breeds with persistent breed-related health problems) is the normalisation of chronic health problems by breeders and owners.

It might be uncomfortable to recognise it but nothing that you have described indicates normal healthy dogs Sad

wombatron · 09/03/2018 08:51

Their teeth are somewhat my fault and something that I feel terrible over. They were my first dogs and I just didn't understand dental for dogs. They have 50% left- it's not normal no of course but that's down to me partly. Not a mistake I'd make again.

The eye thing - i see some terribly bulgy eyes, luckily mine don't seem to protrude that much but I've seen some terrifying ones. For the most part mine appear to have great vision and are unaffected by the eye problems that seem to plague others.

Like I said, all dogs have their downsides in various degrees. Thoughtless and careless breeding from a puppy farms certainly doesn't help these breeds.

wombatron · 09/03/2018 08:52

And I do know plenty of dogs and other animals that snore that aren't pugs Smile

BiteyShark · 09/03/2018 09:04

The only dog I knew that snored was very overweight so not a dog you could hold up as healthy.

I don't think anyone here is being particularly negative about pugs other than pointing out their breed is susceptible to health issues and thus anyone buying one needs to understand that the chances of it not having those problems are stacked up against them.

Veterinari · 09/03/2018 10:30

I think you’re probably being hard on yourself Wombatron it’s unlikely that the dental issues are your fault. There are plenty of dogs that never have dental care and have great teeth because their conformation is good. Pugs are predisposed to eye, dental and respiratory issues simply because of how they are bred to look.

Yes all breeds have health problems to some extent but brachycephalic are massively over-represented. Additionally it’s not a race to the bottom - problems in other breeds do not justify the suffering of brachys.

MaryPoppinsPenguins · 09/03/2018 10:33

I would highly advise against a pug. They are literally the stinkiest dogs. I absolutely love (all!) dogs... but my friend had a pug and I couldn’t stand him sitting on my lap or coming near me because his teeth, his breath.. even just his coat. I felt so sorry for him. But then I met someone with 2 pugs and they smelt the same.

YorkshireLurker · 09/03/2018 10:44

I have a pug and they are the funniest, sweetest little dogs. Prepare to always have a warm lap and a faint snore in the background. Mine is in perfect health and I got him at 16 weeks as the previous buyer was allergic.

Mine doesn't care much for toys but loves a little stroll (getting on a bit now so a couple of 10 min walks round the block are ideal for him)

They are such snuggle bugs best of luck!! You'll never be without a pug now!

Myusernameisunique · 09/03/2018 10:52

@wombatron thank you so much for that. Any recommendations for doggy toothpaste, brushes and any tips for good dental hygiene?

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DorotheaHomeAlone · 09/03/2018 11:05

Please reconsider. This is not about Mumsnet 'being judgemental. The British veterinary association are running a campaign to discourage people from buying these dogs. www.bva.co.uk/news-campaigns-and-policy/newsroom/news-releases/choose-hugs-not-pugs-this-valentine-s-day,-vets-urge-card-retailers-and-consumers/ They have multiple health issues. Even the ones from KC breeders.

wombatron · 09/03/2018 11:39

@Myusernameisunique when your vet says they need a dental - consider it!!! Other than that a good balanced diet and whatever your vet recommends.

I do hope you're happy with the outcome either way. A piccie of the puppies if you go!

Myusernameisunique · 09/03/2018 12:48

@DorotheaHomeAlone no offence but if they're campaigning to stop the use of pictures of pugs on greetings cards surely they should be campaigning to stop.tbe use of any dog breed as they all have potential genetic conditions that could arise? Don't get me wrong, I think the overbreeding of these poor little dogs because they are currently fashionable is terrible and I also think responsible breeding trying to get them back to slightly longer snouts needs to be done. I've done my research though and I know the risks. I also know what to look for when I visit the pups so if anything seems off I'll run for the hills.

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Myusernameisunique · 09/03/2018 12:50

@wombatron I will defo post a pic if we decide to take him. I may also take you up on the offer of advice if I need it thank you!

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ChuffMuffin · 09/03/2018 13:01

I used to think pugs were so cute until one at a rescue I helped at had its eye come out of the socket. No cause as far as we knew, it just happened. Vet said it's because their skulls are so smushed that their eye sockets are too shallow. 😢.

MaryPoppinsPenguins · 09/03/2018 13:12

I honestly don’t know why anyone would buy one.

wombatron · 09/03/2018 14:53

@Myusernameisunique you sound like you've thoroughly read about the breed which is an excellent start. If you think they look slightly off I have no doubt you'd walk away. They are wonderful pets, they are not the lowest maintenance but caring for them is a joy and you'd be hard pushed to find a dog that doesn't need something done on a regular basis! Even low mainentence coat dogs should be brushed regularly and checked for lumps and bumps.

Pugs
DorotheaHomeAlone · 09/03/2018 15:05

Myuser That is the point. These breeds have more serious health issues at a higher rate of incidence than other breeds. www.bva.co.uk/news-campaigns-and-policy/newsroom/news-releases/top-vet-dog-tired-of-pug-health-problems-highlights-bbc-radio-4-today/ Hence the campaign from vets. Putting appearance ahead of health has severely damaged these animals ability to live healthy lives. Read the Cambridge research someone linked earlier. Those are KC dogs.

Myusernameisunique · 09/03/2018 15:51

I know all about that research @DorotheaHomeAlone as one of the breeders responsible for this litter was involved. I honestly have done my research.

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PinkFluff2 · 09/03/2018 22:05

I have two pugs. Neither have ever had any major health issues, their breathing is fine, and they can run like crazy on walks.

They are lovely but they hate being alone, they are super clingy and love cuddles all the time. So make sure that's ok with you :)

House training with both of them has been a nightmare! My first took over 2 years to become house trained, and the second still hasn't got it after over a year. Maybe it's my fault, but it doesn't feel like it.

I love them and think pugs are a great breed. They're not as lazy as they are made out to be though. They are super energetic and wild.

Myusernameisunique · 09/03/2018 22:44

Well here he is. Little Rodney. Spent 2 hours with the breeder, mum and the other pups observing them all and going through health checks, family history, pedigree etc. He's KC registered and pedigree endorsed. The love we all have for him already is unreal. He's home and settled even managed a pee on his puppy mat. He's a squishy little ball of loveliness.

Pugs
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