A Pug is Not for You If…

May 2, 2016|Kristy Beck|

Pugs are a special breed of dog. And really takes someone special to give them the best possible life they deserve. If you are considering getting a pug because you think they are just too adorable and don’t know much about the breed, then this post is for you. So a pug is not for you if….

You want a lazy dog who sleeps all day

Most people think all pugs do are sleep and eat. But they are quite the opposite. They are very active little dogs. They may not be able to play for hours on end but when they do play, they are so full of energy and excitable. Most pugs don’t start to slow down until they are about 5 years of age.

You like to have a spotless home

Pugs aren’t dogs you can leave outside all day long. They don’t cope well in the heat and they can really feel the cold too so they are indoor dogs. If you like having a spotlessly clean house then a pug is not for you cause the shed hair like there is no tomorrow. You can vacuum the whole house and by the time you’ve finished, the first room has pug hair floating around already. If you like to have a spotless home then a poodle is the breed for you as it doesn’t shed hair.

You don’t have extra money for vet bills

Pugs can be a very expensive breed as they can quite often require more than just their annual check up visit to the vet. Some of the most common health problems that stack up the vet bills include breathing problems that may require surgery and bulging eyes that easily scratch and require medical treatment or at worse, eye removal. They also are prone to dental problems as they have more teeth than their small mouth can hold. All of this can add up quickly and become too expensive. So if you don’t have pet insurance and/or savings, then a pug is not for you as you may not be able to afford to give them the care they need.

You like to have your personal space

If you are the type of personal who likes to have plenty of alone time then a pug is not for you cause they will follow you everywhere and want to be with you every second of the day. No place is sacred when you have a pug. They will follow you to the toilet, they will sit outside the bath tub or shower and they will frantically look for you if they don’t know where you are.

You don’t spend much time at home

If you work long hours, go out all weekend and take lots of extended trips then a pug is not for you. Pugs were bred to be lap dogs for Chinese Emperors so naturally they seek human companionship and don’t do too well being left on their own for hours on end. And because pugs are food crazy and like routine, being home for feeding time is important. You can’t leave them food to graze on all day either cause they will demolish in one sitting.

You don’t have time and patience for training

Pugs can be so hard to train especially when it comes to toilet training. You need to have the time and patience to teach them the correct ways of doing things. If you lack the time to train them, then you will have a naughty pug.

You have a weak stomach

Pugs can be gross. If you have a weak stomach then a pug is not for you. Pugs are known to have anal gland issues and can need regular expressing to keep them healthy. Not everyone has the stomach to do this. You also need to be a responsible dog owner and clean up after your dog on walks and outings. So if you have a weak stomach, a smelly poop clean up can be difficult but necessary.

A pug is a lot like having a 2 year old toddler. They require a lot of attention and special care. They are a dog for life, not a dog until you can’t afford them, take care of them or bored of them. If you can’t commit to caring for a pug, if you tick off one or more of these, then a pug is not for you.

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Kristy Beck

Owner & Content Producer at The Pug Diary

Kristy is the founder and editor of The Pug Diary, a photographer and pug mum extraordinaire to Ref + Serina. Kristy has combined her passion for photography with the love of pugs to bring you all of her knowledge of pugs and more to you through The Pug Diary.