So, you want to get your own Pug? Well, good for you for doing research first! There are lots of things to consider before you get a Pug (or any dog/pet). Pugs have lots of health problems, need regular walks (at least a couple of times a day), need attention and they will shed their coat constantly and you will get dead Pug hair everywhere in your house.
Do you want a puppy pug? Or an adult pug?
This is one of the most important decisions you will have to make when it comes to selecting a Pug. Although the puppies look a lot cuter, first time puppy owners have no idea how much work and effort is required to look after a puppy.
They will need constant looking after, trips to the toilet (and they will use your house as a toilet until you have trained them).
1 Pug … or more?
If you read our guide on puppies vs adults, you might now be thinking that one puppy is too much! But, if you are going to get a Pug puppy then getting two at the same time might actually make your life easier. Puppies need company, and what better company than its own brother or sister?
They will play with each other, which is especially handy if no one will be at home during the day.
Of course having more than one dog means a lot more work, more food to dish up for them, higher vet’s bills and more mess to clean up after them.
Do you already have a dog?
If you already have a dog, it can cause some problems if you now bring a new dog into the house. Generally younger dogs (under 4 or 5 years) are better able to adapt to having a new dog in their house.
Colour – Black or Fawn (Cream)
The fawn/cream colour appears to be the more popular Pug breed, but surprisingly the black colour is the dominant gene. The colour makes no difference on their temperament or personality.
Male or Female Pug?
Some dog experts agree that there is no general distinction between male and female Pugs, and some experts agree that there are some significant differences. Of course, just like humans, every dog is different and it is impossible to really be sure what a dog’s personality will be like. There are several things you have to be aware of though, so we recommend you read our guide:Read our guide on Male vs Female Pugs – Pros and Cons!
Show dog?
If you plan to show your Pug at dog shows then you will need to have registered your Pug with a kennel club in your country. Check out your local kennel club (UK, USA) for information. If you decide that you will want to show (or breed) your Pug then that will have a big impact on what dog you get (and where you get it from).
Where to get a Pug from?
There are three main options when buying a Pug (or any dog, in fact):
- A dog shelter/adoption organisation. This is the highly recommended choice. Pugs are often treated really well (they are an expensive breed to start with), but living circumstances change and people have to give up their pets, so they are often well trained and well behaved. They are rarer than other breeds in dog shelters, but if you look on the internet (or Facebook) for local groups/organisations that specialise in rehoming Pugs, you should find them. Defintely make an effort to contact your local shelter and Pug rehome organisation (you would be surprised how many of them there are!) before you think about getting a Pug another way.
- Breeders. There are lots of them, and a quick Google for “Pug Breeders +YOUR-CITY” will turn up quite a few results. They care for their animals, and as Pugs are a pedigree breed you will have their full family history. But we still recommend going with a dog shelter, so you can give a new life to a poor little dog! If you want to show or breed your Pug then you will have to get it from a breeder. But if your new Pug is meant to be ‘just’ a pet, this won’t affect anything!
- Pet Shops. We do not recommend buying a puppy from a pet shop. Some pet shops treat their animals with complete care, but most just don’t have the time to be able to care for their animals before putting them in a cage for customers to walk past and peer into.
Want a more in depth look at your options? See our full guide on how to get a pet pug here.
When to get a Pug?
If you are getting an adult (or from a shelter), it doesn’t really make a difference. But if you are getting a puppy it is important to get it at the right age. You should take a puppy from a breeder at between 10 and 12 weeks old.
If you get a puppy that is younger than 10 weeks it can be hard to house train them and they will get stressed at being away from their mother so quickly.
What A Healthy Pug Should Look Like
Generally you should be able to tell if a Pug is healthy or not. If it doesn’t look quite right, get it checked out at a vets. Any reputable breeder/pet shop/adoption shelter won’t mind you getting it checked over from a vets.Check out our full list of unhealthy signs to look for in a Pug at our Healthy & Unhealthy Pug Signs page
Things To Check and Ask Before You Take a Pug Home
If you are buying from a breeder, these questions are extra important. Some apply only if you are getting a puppy!
- Does the breeder breed other breeds of dog?
- What breeds are they?
- How many other dogs do they have?
- How many puppies were in the litter?
- How old is it now/how old will it be when taken from its mother?
- What vet do they use?
- What vaccinations has the dog had? Who carried out the vaccinations?
- Can they produce health certificates for the dog (and its mother if it is a puppy)
You should also consider asking what happens if your new dog dies soon after you bought the dog, and agree on what the process would be if you agree on a refund (this would apply only to pet shops/breeders, not dog shelters!).
Before getting a new Pug, what do you need to make sure you have in your home?
You are going to have to make sure you a prepared to have a dog in your life. And that includes buying him or her a whole bunch of stuff! They include:
- Dog food
- Food bowl
- Water bowl
- Collars
- Harness / leash
- A crate
- A dog bed
- Dog toys
- and so on!
And you must make sure your house is dog proof!For the full list of things you need, head our checklist of things to get before you get a Pug
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