The pug has a lot of fans. He is adored for his funny appearance, cute face and friendly character. The breed is perfect for keeping in urban apartments due to the small size of the animal. However, before you get a pet, it is better to familiarize yourself in advance with all the pros and cons of a pug when kept at home. This will be discussed in the article.
Appearance story
Many myths and legends surround pugs. Information about where he first appeared is very contradictory. Some call China their homeland, where they lived only with wealthy people and even had their own servants. In Europe, this dog breed came about four centuries ago. Having a pug was considered a sign of good taste. It is known that these animals appeared in Russia at the end of the 19th century, and after the revolution they again disappeared. Work on breeding began only in the 80s of the last century. Russian pugs have a good reputation and are popular with foreign dog breeders.
Breed character
People have a different opinion about the pug breed. Some claim that dogs are very passive and unemotional, while others characterize them as moving and playful. Most likely, such opinions are formed due to the appearance of the animal. In fact, they are very playful and energetic dogs, especially at a young age of four. After growing up, pugs become calm. Some of them never disturb peace in the house and are in a place reserved for them, but most pugs are mobile and like to play. In addition, these are very smart animals, which is a plus of the breed, and minus pugs is excessive stubbornness.
An adult animal has such a sense of dignity that it is impossible to train new teams, and the old ones are difficult to make. And most importantly, they are always together with the owner and actively participate in all his affairs. And also their friendliness should be noted. They even become friends with cats and love small children. Pug is a small dog, but faithfully adores his family and is ready to protect them. She does not like to be alone and for this she is offended by the owners. Pugs like a clear daily routine. They are looking forward to walking, combing wool, games with the owner at a certain time. Therefore, if you do not plan to carry out any procedure on a daily basis, then it is better not to start doing it.
Characteristics of the breed - the pros and cons of a pug
The main positive qualities that small pets possess are the following:
- Ease of hair care - smooth and short, easy to clean.
- Energetic disposition - animals are always full of energy and very sociable with humans.
- Small sizes - do not require large space for housing and entertainment.
- They love children - they are friendly to their petty pranks.
- Unique appearance - a tempting appearance, a penetrating look cause emotion and predisposition.
- Devotion to the owner - all family members love and respect and are ready to protect them.
- Compliant disposition - dogs are obedient, outgoing, attentive and with a soft character.
- Unpretentiousness to food - with pleasure they use natural and ready-made food.
Now you know the main advantages in characterizing a pug. The disadvantages of the breed include:
- Health - in hot or cold weather, there are problems with the respiratory system.
- Hygiene - requires daily care for the folds on the face, which must be wiped with a damp cloth. The coat is short and smooth, but sheds.
- She does not like to walk for a long time - the dog quickly gets tired and long walks tire her.
- Poor to learn - only at an early age can a puppy be taught some manners. Forcing an adult dog to go to the toilet is problematic.
- Snoring - occurs due to the special structure of the nasopharynx and often prevents others from sleeping.
The main goal in the life of pugs is to delight the family in which they live.
Dog walking
For proper development and growth of the puppy, he needs daily walks. It is enough for an adult dog to be in the fresh air twice a day for 30–40 minutes. Animals of this nature are prone to obesity, so giving a feasible physical activity on a walk is a plus for the pug, and the minus is the fact that he quickly gets tired and overworked. In hot weather, walks should be reduced by about half and any loads should be excluded.
It is better to walk in the park, in a shady place, and have a bottle of water with you, so as not to bring the dog to dehydration. Cold weather also adversely affects the pug, he is able to catch a cold. In frosts of 20 degrees, reduce the walk to a quarter of an hour. Moreover, the dog must be dressed in warm clothes. Taking her far from home is not recommended because she is very tired and starts to get nervous.
Maintenance in the apartment
Pugs cannot live on the street or in the aviary at all. They feel great only in the apartment. The small size of the dog allows it to be kept even in a small room. For relaxation, the pet is allocated a quiet and warm corner, protected from drafts and not near heating batteries. It is very convenient to place the dog in the bedroom or living room, it will be convenient and comfortable for her there - this is a plus. The minus for the pug in the apartment is that he will snore loudly at night and interfere with sleep. A mattress with a removable cover and non-allergenic contents is prepared for the sunbed.
The fact is that pugs fade a lot, so covers should be washed regularly, and wet cleaning should be done constantly in the room. Given the tendency of pugs to be full, they are fed only fresh meat, and cereals are given no more than three times a week. But he can consume vegetables in unlimited quantities. Be sure to place a bowl of clean water next to the food. The dog loves to gnaw everything that comes across to her, so it is advisable to equip her with various toys.
Pug's attitude to children
Friendly pugs are good nannies for young children. They adore them and never offend. The unpleasant treatment of a small child is demolished silently, without resenting him. The dog will always warn parents that the baby is crying.
Consider the pros and cons of pugs in reviews of dog owners on their relationship with the kids:
- Children are excited about playing with animals.
- The dog gladly plays the role of a plush toy, but does not lose its dignity.
- If the child starts to play too much and become mean, the pug will move away from him.
- The task of parents is to teach children not to torment a dog.
However, leaving the baby alone with the animal without adult supervision is still not worth it.
Feeding
Pug diets can consist of natural and dry food. When choosing food, you need to focus on your abilities, but to maintain the health and vitality of the animal, you need to give high-quality food. On the one hand, they are unpretentious and able to eat any food - that's a plus. Less - the pug has a small stomach by nature, therefore it should be fed only with solid food. Its basis is lean raw meat and poultry. The diet also includes vegetables, occasionally boiled cereals. Liquid food is considered unavailable to him, but water is recommended. Moreover, you constantly need to make sure that the dog does not overeat. She does not move much and is therefore prone to obesity. Potatoes, pasta and all flour products are necessarily excluded from food.
Pug dog
Pugs have puberty when they are 6–10 months old. At this time, the nature and behavior of the dog is very changing. She ceases to obey, her appetite increases, urination becomes more frequent, and sometimes she becomes aggressive. During estrus, the animal begins to stain carpets and furniture with bloody secretions. With a limited location, the dog is nervous. For convenience, special panties are sold at the pet store for this period, but you can’t leave her dressed all day. On the pros and cons of the pug breed, owner reviews indicate that for the convenience of keeping a dog in the apartment, it is better to choose males, because males cause less problems.
Those who prefer bitches, experienced dog owners advise sterilization after the first estrus. Otherwise, estrus twice a year is accompanied by additional problems: uncontrolled behavior of the animal, unnecessary efforts to clean the apartment. Before you get a puppy you like, you should consider all the nuances of its content.
Pug: owner reviews, pros and cons
Many Pug owners share their impressions of their life in apartments. Here are some rave reviews:
- Very clever, little faithful dog. She gets along well with other pets and children. It does not emit an unpleasant odor. The animal does not make loud sounds, only a sweet sniff is heard.
- The most beautiful dog in the world! The smell emits when the coat is wet, in other cases it is not felt. He constantly goes after the owner, wanting him to do something pleasant. Always warns about the appearance of guests. The apartment does not hear barking, so the neighbors are happy.
There are also negative reviews in which the following negative aspects are noted:
- The dog is very shedding. It requires daily mopping during molting, which occurs twice a year. Fine wool cannot be cleaned with any vacuum cleaner.
- Many representatives of this breed suffer from heart attacks and epileptic seizures. In this case, it is necessary to be with them constantly, otherwise everything may end in tragedy.
Pug owners advise checking their health with a veterinarian before buying a puppy.
Conclusion
In order for a small dog to bring positive emotions, before acquiring a puppy, weigh all the pros and cons. Pug requires the owner of increased attention, financial plan costs, and also has certain disadvantages. If these difficulties do not stop, then you can become the happiest owner of this little miracle.