Doug's Pugs
Pugs, while they are easy to care for , do have a few special requirements you need to consider.
- Heat- This is the number one issue your must be aware of. as pugs are brachycephalic (have a pushed in face) so they have very short nasal passages and sinus cavities. these passages are where dogs exchange heat from there bodies as when your dog pants. We sweat and our dogs pant. Less area means less heat exchange. So in other words your Pug can over heat very easily. On hot humid days a Pug can overheat in less than 30 minutes, get heat stroke in 40 minutes and have brain damage soon after. As a rule of thumb on days over 80-85 degree Fahrenheit, do not leave your Pug outside for more than 20 minutes, and limit your walks to about the same time.
- Coat- The Pug has a short coat that is easy to care for. However an occasional brushing will be welcomed by your buddy. I sit on our deck and pull out the brush and all four will line up for there turn. Brushing will remove loose fur and help limit shedding, dislodges dirt from the skin and distributes natural oils up the shafts of the hairs, plus it obviously feels real good judging by the reaction of my grumble.
- Cleanliness- Again the Pug is a easy dog to care for, however due to there unique features some attention is in order. Although we bath our pugs every 7-10 days (depending on season) be aware of the creases in their faces. Three of our pugs will bury their face into the food bowls and they all love to dig in the soft earth and mud. so pay attention to the folds in the face and use a wet q-tip to clean the creases every few days. Dirt in these folds will cause irratation and infections if neglected. Also the eyes develop mucas that will build up in the corners of the eye. a soft tissue and strategic dabs will solve the issue, although my pugs usually clean their faces on a daily basis.
- Feeding- Pugs are not to finicky on food but a well rounded diet of a high quality dry food with added meat protein from chicken, beaf or pork has done well for our grumble. Name brand quality treats round out the mess for our group. Click the Link Above for My Pug Food Recipe. Some items to steer clear of *** cheese/ dairy products***, it seems pugs can not process the calcium and develop bladder stones on a regular basis, **raw hide. small stringy pieces can do unmentionable things to there small digestive systems, * any soft or splintering bones, these can be deadly in the digestive tract. Chocolate and sweets- a defiant no! these treats can cause all kinds of health problems for all dogs. Some vegetables are good for your dogs. Our younger Pugs love raw carrots. Also apples and other fruits are ok in moderation, but stay away from grapes, raisins, cranberries and the like.
- Teething- As with all dogs your pug will go through a teething stage as a pup. They will look to chew on whatever is available. If your furniture is all they can find you will have some odd looking distressed pieces. We have found deer antlers to be the best chew toy for our pugs. Some of the better nylon chews are good too.
- Exercise- Pugs like all dogs need excercise. But remember do not allow them to overheat. Again the face that captures your heart is a curse to our little friend. On tempurate days (below 80 degrees) you can let them run around outside, but make sure they have plenty of water and a shady place to escape the sun.
- Socialize- Pugs play very well with each other and do well with most breeds. Keep in mind that even though they are tough for their size they are also very mild mannered and have had all the agression bred out of them over the centuries. At dog parks or around other dogs keep an eye out for your pug. He may be tough but he will not stand a chance against some of the more agressive breeds.