Pros and Cons of Owning a Pug

The Latin motto ‘multum in parvo‘ is considerably the best way to introduce this breed. The Pug, also known by the name ‘Vodafone Dog’ in India is one of the cutest dogs of all time. They have been a part of the royalty, starting from China to Holland for quite a long period. These dogs are full of surprises, wrapped in small luggage. Thus, spending time with them should not be very boring.

For those, who are still new on the topic; here’s a brief for you. 

• They have distinct wrinkles which is also a prominent feature of their face, accompanied by dark eyes and a round structure.
• They are highly adaptable and go best with kids. 
• They have the capability to understand the feelings of their owners, whether they are sad or happy.
• They should be socialised at an early age by exposing themselves to their outer surroundings.

You should know that living with a canine does not only involve enjoyment and cuddling. Sometimes, there are also cons to owning them. Our today’s article is all about the pros and cons of owning a pug.

Pros of owning a Pug dog breed

1. Own a lovely temperament 

One of the pros of owning a Pug is that you get to enjoy their temperament. This breed has a strong personality. Proper socializing and training will help the breed develop into a wonderful pet. Owners who have adopted a pug say, “One has to think about one’s own character/temperament/personality before getting a dog.”

Those with a merry temperament can easily indulge their pug into becoming extrovert dogs. Once they have followed your pattern, they’ll start acting like your shadow, clinging onto you 24*7. You will mostly find them sitting near your feet or following you, everywhere you go. While some may find this annoying, for most people; it is cute and adorable.

2. Loves to play

Due to their physical structure, these dogs require regular training, followed by some mental stimulation. Working out daily will release all the pent up energy, preventing the breed from developing bad behaviours. You can also take your dog on a few walks around the block to keep it happy and cheerful. They are both indoor and outdoorsy dogs and love to go out on walk and play but prefer to stay indoors when the heat gets oppressive.

They exhibit a playful temperament towards children and love the attention it gets from them. Most dogs under this breed cannot be given housetraining and obedience training due to their stubbornness. While for a few, it can be a less difficult task for all dogs is not the same.

3. Travelling with them is easy

Pugs have a symmetrical appearance and are square and lobby. Such a physical structure makes it convenient for owners to carry them around. They are quite compact which makes it easy for you to travel with them, wrapped in your arms. But, don’t consider their size to measure their weight. Mind you, an average pug weighs about 14-18 pounds.

Other dog breeds that have similar features like the pug are lighter in weight. Shih Tzu weighs 7 pounds and a Papillon weighs 9 pounds.  Those who are searching for a chubby, yet small pet can surely go for a pug. These dogs will fit perfectly on your lap and won’t be knocked over by a gust of wind!

4. They are low barkers

Barking is a feature that is common in almost every dog breed. While some do it to more than needed, others do it only to communicate. One such dog breed is the pug. They are more of a practical barker, who bark to make a point or send a message. They might also start barking at a stranger, but once he/she starts to show friendly gestures, the barking subsides. Many pug owners have also reported that their pugs start barking very late.

Sometimes, they may bark if left alone. The barking may come as a protest to take them with you. But, they won’t keep barking relentlessly or if you keep them with other pets. Pugs are social beings and get along well with other pets too!

5. Perfect for children

The easy-going and merry temperament of the breed makes them perfect for kids. ‘If pugs can’t be safe around children, then probably no dog on earth can be!’. This is also one of the pros of owning a pug. They are good for single people and senior citizens but they are best suited for families that have children.

Pugs have the ability to become fast friends with old people. Give them a bit of attention and Boom! they are your best friends. Unnecessary barking is not their thing. They will bark only if they find something unusual in the house or see a stranger. 

6. Are good for apartment dwellers

Their character of adapting to any kind of situation makes them perfect for both apartments and houses. But, these lethargic dogs are more of a sleeper than running around the house like a retriever. Thus, apartments are perfect for their living. 

Since these dogs are well-trained, you won’t have to worry about the mess they’ll make after you return home. They will neither chew up the floor nor litter around. For people who are a novice in owning a dog, the pug should be a great pet for you don’t need to have lots of knowledge on how you should train your puppy.    

7. Pugs Can be symbolised as lap dogs

Pugs are one of the ancient breeds and were bred in China in the Han Dynasty during 200A.D. Chinese emperors trained them to serve as lapdogs. Therefore, it is wrong to think that these dogs will fit as guard dogs. Instead, they would keep themselves occupied by providing you company and sitting on your lap than retrieving.

Besides being lap dogs, they are very loyal dog breed. City-dwellers can own them easily for they are their best-suited companions. Not just that, their temperament allows them to get compatible with every kind of family. Further, they would love to please their owners, by whatever means necessary. 

These were some of the pros of owning a pug. But, don’t judge too fast! There are equally convincing disadvantages of owning a pug. Let’s take a look.

Cons of owning a Pug

1. Are severely affected by health issues

Pugs have a good lifespan of 12-16 years. To live such a long life, they need to stay healthy. But unfortunately, they are affected by several health problems. One of the most delicate issues of this breed is eye problems. Pugs can be affected by eye infections as a part of their genetic predisposition.    

“They are brachycephalic dogs, which means, they have a short nose, flat face that causes inherent breathing problems in them”. For this reason, owners should not exhaust the breed. Other common health issues of this breed include- Porto systematic Shunt (PSS), Elongated soft palate and Pug Dog Encephalitis. So, before you get excited about bringing a pug home, make sure you have gone through the list of cons as well.

2. Suffer from separation anxiety

Because they are so people-centric, staying alone for long hours can cause separation anxiety in them. Some other reasons for this anxiety can be frequently changing houses, the loss of a family member, or spending most of the time in the kennel or animal shelter.

This con can sometimes be very harmful to your pet. To succumb to this, you can counter-condition their anxiety. While they are stressed, they may develop certain behavioural problems and cause destruction. The best way to solve this is to ignore the destruction they have caused. Instead, you should search the ways to handle it. Try giving it more attention rather than shouting at it. This will help to improve the bond between you two. 

3. Are prone to obesity

Pugs are prone to obesity. Giving them more amounts of carbohydrates in their food can lead to bad digestion and obesity in them. Even sugary foods are harmful, leading to fat-related diseases. Owners must make sure that the food given to them is rich in proteins and minerals instead of fats.

Sometimes, separation anxiety also causes obesity. Out of boredom, they might start eating whatever they get. So, another way to prevent obesity in them is by keeping them happy and energetic. The slow metabolism and sedentary habits of the pugs mean they have even lesser chances to burn the extra fat, compared to other breeds. Thus, make sure they don’t indulge in an unhealthy diet, like eating human food.   

4. Get stubborn at times

One of the biggest cons of owning a pug is that they are highly stubborn. Being loyal to their owners is one thing, but showing acts of stubbornness can sometimes annoy one. This breed may even resist obedience and skills training as a part of their character. 

Because they are lap dogs, it’s easy to train them. But training them on demand is a difficult process. This feature in them can only be removed if they are bred properly. Since the stubbornness is not permanent, it can be omitted with good obedience training and owners will again be able to enjoy their unconditional reciprocated love. These dogs are difficult to train but certainly not impossible to housetrain them.

5. High maintenance

Pugs need a lot of general care and grooming. Firstly, the shedding of this breed can come to you as a big problem. Pugs are medium to heavy shedders. They shed almost throughout the year, with some extra shedding during springtime. This shedding is mostly due to the thin undercoat and short outer coat. Besides this, their nails also grow fast and should be trimmed off regularly.

Special attention should be given to the wrinkles of the breed where dirt and moisture get in and cause infection. Also, regular brushing and using a good quality de-shedding shampoo can remove the loose hair on skin and keep excessive shedding on check.

6. Get quickly heated

Pugs are victims of heat strokes. They can barely stand the hot weather and thus prefer staying indoors. It is also one of the cons of owning a pug. Even if you want to play with your pet outside, such factors may prohibit you from doing so.

This is another reason why they should not be made to exercise much. Too much activity can exhaust them, which in turn can cause breathing problems. This condition is also because they are brachycephalic breeds (having a flattened nostril). Thus owners who like sitting in one place are perfect for them.

7. Pugs are loud snorers

Pugs are brachycephalic. They have flat faces which often cause breathing disorders in them. This problem gets doubled while they are asleep. For this reason, you will often find your pug snoring, even louder than you. 

The snoring of pugs is somewhat similar to humans. Their soft palette relaxes, making them snore which is sometimes occasionally loud. Unfortunately, there are no permanent ways to stop their snoring. If you are still keen on owning this breed, you will have to bear their snoring forever! 

Conclusion

These were some of the pros and cons of owning a pug. But even without them, pugs are cute and adorable. They gained recognition by the American Kennel Club in 1885 and were introduced first in the civil war. 

When the ‘Hutch’ company decided to advertise them for their new ‘Vodafone’ connection, they could hardly believe the popularity it would bring. They are currently one of the most commercialised dogs, especially in Asia.

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