Pug

Coat and looks how to spot one

short, smooth single coat

A short, soft and glossy coat that feels fine and sleek rather than wiry or woolly. The body is compact, square and muscular, with a large round head, a flat short muzzle, clear forehead wrinkles and a tail curled tightly over the hip, ideally in a double curl. Fawn-type dogs show a black face mask, black ears, a dark 'thumb mark' on the forehead and often a dark line along the spine called the trace.14

Personality what they are like

A good-humoured, steady little dog with a big personality. Pugs are playful and often comical, devoted to their family and usually gentle with children and friendly with other pets, while some are a little reserved with strangers at first. They respond best to kind, reward-based training.1456

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Low to moderate. Relaxed daily walks and short play sessions, up to about an hour a day, keep a Pug fit. Choose cooler parts of the day in warm weather and avoid strenuous exercise. Swimming is not recommended. Short training games give useful mental exercise.25

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Easy coat care: brush about once a week, more during shedding periods, as the coat does shed. Wipe and dry the facial folds regularly and keep up with nails, ears and teeth.25

Home where they are happiest

A great fit for flats and apartments as well as houses. Should live indoors with the family, kept comfortable in hot weather with shade and a cool resting place.25

Food basics what goes in the bowl

A balanced, complete small-breed dog food in measured portions. Pugs enjoy their food, so keep treats modest and adjust amounts with your vet if the dog starts gaining weight.5

Company who they like around

Bred purely as a companion, the Pug wants to be close to its people and does best in a home where it is not left alone for long. Usually gets on well with children and other pets.56

The story where it all began

Pugs come from China, where small, short-muzzled dogs were kept as prized companions at the imperial court; an early type known as the Lo-sze is often named as the Pug's ancestor. In the 1500s traders of the Dutch East India Company brought them to Europe. In the Netherlands the breed became linked with the royal House of Orange after a Pug is said to have raised the alarm and saved the Prince of Orange from assassins in 1572. Pugs came to England when William III took the throne and were soon popular across European courts, painted by artists such as William Hogarth and Goya. In the 1800s Queen Victoria bred Pugs herself, and black Pugs were introduced from the East in the late 1870s and 1880s, with Lady Brassey credited for making them fashionable. The AKC recognised the breed in 1885, and today the Pug remains a much-loved companion around the world.1237

Recognised by the official bits

FCI

Standard no. 253, Group 9 Companion and Toy Dogs, Section 11 Small Molossian type dogs; country of origin China, patronage Great Britain. Standard dated 07.09.2023.1

AKC

Recognised in 1885; shown in the Toy Group.3

AKC (standard)

Official Standard of the Pug (approved 8 April 2008, effective 3 June 2008): square, cobby build, 14-18 lb, fawn or black.4

The Royal Kennel Club

Listed in the Toy group; Breed Watch Category 3.2

Pug Dog Club of America

National breed club, founded in 1931.3

Popularity Ranked No. 38 among AKC-registered breeds in the US, unchanged from 20249