1. How long have you been in the breed?
I got my first pug in 1991. I didn't do a lot of research
and ended up with a very poor quality pug, with many health
issues. By the age of one, he was at the vets on a
regular basis. I spent hundreds, if not thousands on
medical bills, not to mention what this little guy endured
physically from being a sickly dog. After my experience
with him, I did a lot of research on the breed and was able to
purchase a well-bred pug that was the joy of my life. I
was hooked!
2. Do you show?
I started showing my pugs in 2000. I have both AKC
champion titles on my pugs as well as International
titles. '
3. Are you a member of any dog clubs?
Yes, I am a member of the Pug Dog Club of America (PDCA) and
the Northern California Pug Club (NCPC).
4. What is the procedure for adopting one of your pugs?
I place my pugs on a first-come basis. If I don't have
any puppies available, I have a waiting list and will contact
you when there is a puppy available. All puppies sold as
companion pets are sold on a limited AKC registration.
5. Do you take deposits?
No, I don't take deposits. I don't want anyone to feel
obligated because of the money.
6. How often do you have puppies?
I only have a couple litters a year, depending on the time of
year. I do not breed puppies for Christmas.
7. How do pugs get along with other animals?
I
have never had a problem with my pugs and other dogs. As far as cats, if a pug puppy is trained to leave a
cat alone, they should be able to live together in harmony.
One concern, is a cat scratching the eye/s of your pug. Since pugs have a surface eye and are prone to injury
its very important to monitor your pug around any cats.
8. What is the difference between a male and a
female?
The personality of a pug depends on how much time and
attention is given to a puppy while maturing. If a puppy
is left unattended and is not socialized, it will most likely
develop behavioral problems and not have a warm, loving
disposition. Some people associate a male as having bad
behaviors such as hiking and humping. If a male is
neutered before six months of age, this behavior should NOT be
an issue! A female that hasn't been spayed will also
hike and urinate. To put it simply, whatever a dog owner
puts into their animal in love and training is what they will
get out, be it a male or female.
9. Would you consider a pug a good family pet?
Yes, but not for families with very young children that could
harm a small puppy. I would not hesitate to place an
adult pug with young children because they make great
companions and are not as easily injured by small
children.
10. Is it best to get two puppies or start with one?
I don't recommend
starting with two puppies. Puppies are very demanding and require lots of time and
attention. Obedience
and potty training one puppy is difficult; training two
is even harder. I
find that when people purchase two puppies, after the thrill
is gone and the work starts, many people place one of the
puppies in another home. Two puppies left to entertain each other will bond with
the other puppy as opposed to bonding with their humans. People also tend to "ignore" them, since they
are content with each other. I recommend getting one puppy trained and then add a
second.
11. Do black pugs shed more than fawns:
Both black and fawn pugs shed the same as they both have an
undercoat. They will shed more during a temperature
change, i.e., winter cold to summer heat. A female
coming into heat may also tend to shed her coat due to hormone
changes.
12. What is the average lifespan of a pug?
The average lifespan of a pug is 12 to 14 years. Diet
and exercise are determining factors on the longevity of your
pug. Yearly vet exams to check for any health issues are
also recommended.
13. What is the average size of a pug?
The Pug Dog Club of America breed standard is 14 to 18 pounds,
although some pugs may weigh more due to heavier bone and
muscle mass.
14. What possible health problems run in the pug
breed?
Dermatitis - inflammation and
subsequent infection of the skin.
Elongated soft palate - the soft
palate is abnormally long and causes breathing disorders.
Entropion - an abnormal rolling in
of the eyelid.
Hypothyroidism
- a common endocrine
disease where the body produces an abnormally low amount of
thyroid hormones. An
autoimmune destruction of the thyroid gland which affects
more than 50 dog breeds.
Legg-perthes disease - a disease
where the blood vessels feeding the femoral head, (top part
of the thigh bone) shrink, leading to starvation and death
of the femoral head (the ball of the ball-and-socket joint
of the hip). Also
called legg-calve-perthes disease.
Pigmentary keratitis -- an
inflammatory condition of the cornea characterized by
abnormal pigmentation.
Collapsed trachea -- a condition
where the cartilage rings that make up the trachea are
malformed and tend to collapse easily.
Dystocia -- complications of the
birth process (difficult birth).
Epilepsy--a disease characterized by convulsions (seizures) and/or
disturbances of consciousness.
Hip Dysplasia -- a developmental
malformation or subluxation of the hip joints.
Patella luxation -- a condition where the knee
caps slide in and out of place.
15. Are pugs hard to housetrain?
As a pug matures, so does the ability to hold their business
until they are let outdoors. I highly recommend
crate training your pug. This forces them to hold their
business until they are let outside.
16. Can I leave my pug outside while I'm at work?
I don't recommend it! Pugs are indoor dogs. They
do not tolerate the heat or extreme cold. Many pugs have
died from being left outside due to the weather. When
putting a puppy outdoors, be sure they have a safe area to
play. There are many poisonous plants that are also a
concern.
17. How often should a pug be groomed?
I bathe my pugs at least once a month. Teeth should be
brushed every other day to prevent plaque from forming.
Nails should be clipped once a week. I clean their nose
wrinkles everyday with a baby wipe.
18. How much exercise do pugs require?
They are all different. Some pugs have more energy than
others. It is important they get daily exercise -- just
make sure it is in the cool hours of the day.
19. What is the difference between
"limited" AKC registration and a "full"
AKC registration?
Limited AKC registration means a dog/bitch CANNOT be used for
breeding and entry in dog events is restricted. Full AKC
registration has no limitations.
20. What are the best training methods for
pugs? At what age should training start?
Clicker training is a very positive way to start training your
new pug puppy right away. Treats are a great motivator
for pugs. Once your puppy is fully vaccinated (around
four months of age), you can start obedience
training.
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