Pugs are some of the friendliest dogs there are, and love meeting new people and making friends. It’s rare to find a Pug that is shy or withdrawn. Despite their outgoing and fun-loving nature, they are gentle with children, and are well-suited to being family dogs.

While Pugs may be companion animals, content to sleep in your lap or other warm space near you, they are also quick to make people laugh. Pugs are natural comedians and clowns, a testament to their ability to charm even royalty and nobility. They’re always on the lookout for fun activities to do with their humans, and will quiver with excitement when they think it’s time to play. 

In line with this friendly and easygoing temperament, they get along well with other dogs, strangers, and children equally well. They’re not aggressive, and they don’t tend to bite. While they make decent watchdogs, they aren’t prone to barking unnecessarily. 

Pugs are a companion dog and not a working dog, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re low energy. They love to run and play, and need sufficient exercise each day to stay healthy. While they may not have the stamina to match other dogs, they can still exercise in shorter sessions throughout the day. 

Care must be taken not to let your Pug overheat, as the characteristically flat face means that they are not as efficient as other dogs at cooling down. Keep exercise sessions to cooler periods in the day, and give your Pug plenty of water so they can stay hydrated. Around 45 minutes of exercise split into 2 to 3 sessions is enough for most Pugs.

Pugs do not run very fast or very far, so do not expect them to keep up on a jog. Lower-impact or slower activities will be better for most Pugs, such as fetch or tug-of-war.

Pugs are generally easy to groom, as they have a short, smooth coat that sheds moderately throughout the year. Daily brushing is advisable to keep their shedding to a minimum, either with a medium-bristle brush or grooming glove. 

Most Pugs do not need to be bathed very often, unless they’ve gotten dirty outdoors. A bath every couple of months is usually sufficient. One area of concern is the many folds and wrinkles on the Pug’s face, as these may be a breeding ground for bacteria. Clean out these wrinkles regularly with a damp cloth or pet wipe, then dry the area with a clean towel. 

A Pug’s nails are not often worn down naturally since they do not spend a lot of time running or walking outdoors. You can trim the nails a couple of times every month to prevent the length from being uncomfortable for your Pug. Daily tooth brushing is advised to help keep your Pug’s teeth and gums healthy. 

While they aren’t known as a working breed, Pugs are still very trainable because they’re so eager to please their humans. This, combined with their tendency to be food-motivated, makes them relatively quick to pick up on training, so long as it is based around positive reinforcement. 

Pugs are very sensitive and pay close attention to the moods and emotions of their owners, so punishments and harsh feedback are not ideal for this breed. It may be counterproductive, as the dog will be slower to obey commands if their owner isn’t calm and patient. 

Pug owners will need to begin training at an early age to achieve good results. While Pugs are smart, they can also become stubborn and spoiled if left untrained for too long. Rules and structure are an important part of any dog’s home life.  

Pugs have a lifespan that is average for dogs their size, and normally have a life expectancy of 13 to 15 years. Pugs may be prone to:

• Eye problems – due to their large, bulging eyes, Pugs may be prone to a variety of eye conditions including dry eye, corneal ulcers, and progressive retinal atrophy
• Hip dysplasia – a condition where the dog’s hip joint is not perfectly formed, which may cause weakness of the rear legs
• Allergies – a reaction to allergens such as fleas or ticks, food, or other environmental factors
• Hemi-vertebrae – a condition that short-nosed breeds are prone to, where one or more of the vertebrae are malformed

Pugs are a small breed, and stand between 10 to 13 inches at the shoulder. Most Pugs will normally weigh between 11 to 18 pounds. There is little to no difference between male and female Pugs in terms of height and weight. 

The size of the Pug means that they can adapt to most homes, but they are unsuited to living full-time outdoors. They are companion dogs who thrive on contact with people, and will have to be involved in most of the household activities. 

Their relatively moderate exercise needs can be addressed even with indoor play, so a private outdoor space is not required. However, they will still enjoy walks outdoors to shared spaces, such as dog parks.