Pug Temperament: What’s it Like Owning One?

So, you’re thinking of getting a new dog? The one that seems to have caught your eye is that cute little one with the squished face, but what are they like? Pugs are cute to look at, but what else are they?

What’s it like owning a pug? When you’re inviting a pug into your life, you’re inviting someone who has a big personality for such a small frame. Pugs are considered the funny clowns of the dog world. They really thrive with the companionship of humans.

Personality is just one aspect in the whole of a Pug, so keep reading in order to learn a little more about them, and what you can look forward to.

Your New Best Friend

Something that a lot of people may not know is that Pugs weren’t really bred to accomplish any particular task except for keeping humans company.

So, if you’re looking for a dog that likes to be around you and will follow you around, sit on your lap, and sleep with you, pick one of these guys up.

When you get your little “shadow” as they are called sometimes, you may notice that they can appear to be a bit stubborn. That’s just something that is part of their personality. They aren’t aggressive so they are perfect for families with kids.

If you’re not someone that is looking for a dog that is constantly hopping around and wanting to play, then the Pug really is your perfect choice.

They are usually napping, and then will get that burst of “zoomies” followed up by a nap. They don’t require that much physical activity to stay healthy and in shape.

So, having the kids go on a little walk or play around for a little bit is good enough to get the exercise that these little guys need to maintain their healthy lifestyle.

Best Family Dog

As mentioned in the previous section, Pugs are dogs that are really looking for that affection, love, and attention in a family. There’s a lot that they will do with you, and if that’s something that you’re seeking, they look into this breed.

If you’re worried about having a dog that bites a lot when they are little, or at all, the Pugs are definitely not that. The shape of their mouth makes it so that they can’t really properly bite, making them practically harmless if you’re thinking of bringing them into a home with little kids.

One thing that you will have to worry about though is the fact that when they are little they like to chew on things like most other puppies.

Although they are sturdy when they get bigger, when they are little, they are pretty fragile and should be watched over when they are playing just to make sure that nothing bad will happen.

Their personalities can change based on their surroundings. They love to play, so if they are in a high energy area, they will be more excited and play quite a bit more. If your home is more of a laid back temperament, then your Pug will reflect that, perhaps in taking naps for most of the day. They can actually sleep for 14 hours!

Despite their small size, Pugs really like to eat, and if they are left to their own devices, it’s easy for them to become overweight. That’s something that you need to be aware of when you’re bringing them into your family.

There is also a potential that your Pug could have allergies to their food, so it may take a little trial run to see what brand fits them the best.

If you’re living in an apartment or another location that may not be the biggest, Pugs are really good adapting to the spaces that they are brought to, and if you were to bring them a toy they will play with it endlessly and cherish it.

Having a spot where your Pug can always go for their own “me” time is important as well. You just want to be sure that it’s in a room that gets a lot of traffic. Pugs are not the type of dog that likes to be alone, and it will become very apparent if they feel they are lacking attention.

“Do You Hear That Breathing?”

One of the things that you may notice is that these dogs don’t exactly have a normal face. Because of their shortened muzzles, they have quite a few things that make them a little different than others.

For instance, Pugs aren’t able to tolerate high heat or humidity, in normal dogs the air will cool before entering the lungs, but that isn’t the case with Pugs. So if you’re taking them outside, you need to be sure that you’re watching them in case they start to overheat.

Pugs are definitely meant for the indoors, so don’t get this dog with the hopes that you can just let them live life out in the back yard. This is something that is really important when you’re going to consider bringing this dog into your family, simply because it’s more of an up-close dog.

Another thing that is important to know about Pugs is that they can be loud. They wheeze, snort, and snore pretty loudly. Some people really like this quality about Pugs. When someone is greeted by a Pug, they will be greeted with grunts, snorts, and weird barks.

If you’re someone that finds this sort of thing cute, then you will love to have one of these dogs. If not, then there may be another dog that you’re in search of. Seeing as how these are basically companion dogs, they will constantly be around you, potentially sleeping in your bed as well.

Getting Along With Other Pets and Children

Pugs are a bit more serious than other small dogs, but they are fairly laid back. They get along with other dogs and are sturdy enough to get along with children.

Since they are a breed that enjoys company, it’s really important that they are constantly socialized with children or even other dogs.

One of the things that is most important to remember though, is that if you’re planning on adopting a Pug, they thrive in places where they can get lots of attention.

If you’re a home that already has a few dogs or other pets, it may not be the right fit to bring in a dog such as this. Some can be skittish of bigger dogs, while others will want to be the life of the party.

Bringing your Pug to a dog park may be a fun thought, but it’s a good idea to be sure that you’re watching where they are. They aren’t really a submissive breed, they are just more curious and friendly than a few other breeds of dogs.

When you’re bringing your Pug home to children, if they are small you can already have a place set apart where your little guy can go if they are feeling overwhelmed with all the hands coming at them.

Even though they may want a break, make sure that they can still see you where you are. They need that line of sight.

Instead of placing the dog in a separate room, you can just place a dog bed in the back corner of a room or just finding a little place where they can comfortably relax without being bothered.

This is really a good choice for a family dog if you’re in search of one that will really want to be included and feel like such an integrated piece to your family, Pugs are definitely the way that you want to go. You will fall in love with the squished face, and they will fall in love with yours.

Stubborn Little Things

If you’ve ever talked to anyone about their Pug, I’m sure the fact that they are stubborn would come up in the conversation. If you’re attempting to train your Pug, it’s going to take a bit more to keep their attention.

They are very emotional dogs, so praise is very beneficial to them. This means that negative words or actions affect them as well.

In many of the cases where your little one is acting stubborn, they are just looking for attention and will do what they need to in order to get that.

They know what they want, and they want you to give it to them. They can get pretty upset if they don’t receive the affection they are giving.

They may have a stubborn streak, but they aren’t a breed that’s going to become aggressive, they are really eager to please their owners, so be aware that they are going to want to do what they can in order to make you happy.

Pugs tend to be food motivated, so be sure that you’re aware of how much food you’re giving them, and start training them out of this behavior and it will help prevent this from becoming a habit.

It can take them a little bit to house train Pugs, but with positive reinforcement of treats and praise, they will be able to catch onto it more quickly.

An interesting thing that you should probably know is that Pugs aren’t able to develop the strength to control their bowels and bladder until they are about six months old.

The big thing when you’re working with your Pug is that you’re aware of how they are and what they will respond to.

It’s very important that when you’re taking care of a puppy that you work with them the best you can within the first six months of their lives so they are aware and prepared for the future as best as they can be.

Things to be Aware Of

When you’re looking into purchasing a Pug, there are some things that you should really be aware of.

Although their faces are cute with all the wrinkles and such, those wrinkles need to be cleaned daily! They can trap dust, food, and other irritating things within them.

They have a short, double coat. This causes a lot of shedding. If you’re someone that likes to do what you can in order to control such things, by giving them regular baths with some good shampoo will help with that, as well as making sure that you have a good vacuum when you’re cleaning around your house.

Like stated earlier, these dogs will be snorting, snoring, wheezing, and snuffling–occasionally slobbering, but because they gulp air when they eat, they will most likely have some flatulence that will occur. So, be aware of that if you suddenly smell something that’s not the greatest.

Due to their small bodies and muzzles, they are definitely prone to more health problems than other dogs, so you have to be aware of that before you make the commitment to bring such a lap dog into your life. With their big eyes, they also are at risk for eye problems as well. Generally, they will live to be 14 or 15 years old.

These dogs are wonderful. They are a great addition to your family, and they will love you and your family members more than you could even dream of. They want to be included in everything that you’re doing. They want to spend their whole lives with you.

I think that’s one of the most important things to be aware of when you’re looking into purchasing a dog such as a Pug. They aren’t really a mischevious breed, especially since they really like their sleep. They honestly sound like the perfect dog for me.

As you go about bringing this dog into your life, they will be your best friend as long as you treat them with love and affection, give them enough interaction–don’t just leave them alone for a long period of time, that’s not going to help your bond at all.

Give them good toys and food. Be sure that you’re bringing them into the vet for regular checkups. That’s something that’s really important with this breed. Simply because they aren’t really built quite the way other dogs are, but the size of their heart will blow your mind. The love that you will share will be worth it. Make some memories.

Wrinkles aren’t always a bad thing, especially when they are on the face of your new four-legged best friend.

Related Questions

Do Pugs bark a lot? Just like most dogs, they are capable of barking, but they aren’t a breed that really goes around and constantly barks. They are pretty quiet. They might yip or make a yodel-like sound when they get really excited, but you shouldn’t have to worry about a loud rowdy Pug.

Can Pugs be left alone all day? Pugs are a very affectionate breed of dog. Though they might be sleeping most of the day, when they are awake, they will want your attention. If you plan on leaving them alone all day, it might not be in your best interest–or the Pugs–that you bring them into your home.

How much do Pugs cost? It really depends on where you’re getting your dog from. If you’re picking up a puppy from a newspaper add it could be upwards of $200. But if you’re looking for a purebred Pug, you’re looking at about $1500 to $2000. There are other options as well, but these are the main price points you’ll be finding.