Pug

Temperament

The Pug is almost entirely focused on people. It follows its family from room to room, happily sleeps on the couch and copes poorly with long hours alone. It is usually friendly with guests and most often lives peacefully with other dogs and cats, since it has no strong prey drive or territorial instinct. It barks little, but it snores, snorts and grunts: that comes with the package. It can be stubborn and quickly gets bored with repetitive drills, yet responds well to short sessions and rewards (given in moderation, because it gains weight easily). It has a real sense of humor and often plays like a puppy well into adulthood. Don't count on it as a watchdog: it is more likely to greet a stranger with a wagging tail than a warning. It gets along well with children, as long as nobody pulls its wrinkles or makes it run around in the heat.

Energy

calmvery energetic

Affection

independentvelcro pet

With children

not idealgreat

With other pets

difficultgreat

Trainability

stubborneager to learn

For first-time owners

for experienced ownersyes

With strangers

waryoutgoing

Playfulness

dignifiedeternal puppy

Shedding

minimalheavy

Grooming

easydemanding

Being left alone

strugglescopes well

Apartment living

needs a house and yardgreat in a flat

Barking

quietvocal

With other dogs

difficultgreat

Protectiveness

lowhigh

Drooling

hardly anya lot

Cold tolerance

feels the coldexcellent

Heat tolerance

strugglescopes well

Scores of 1–5 compare the breed with other breeds of the same species, based on the sources at the bottom of the page. Every animal is different. How we score traits

Who is the Pug for?

The Pug suits people who spend a lot of time at home, live in an apartment and want a companion rather than a running buddy or a partner for mountain hikes. It does well with seniors or in a family with sensible older children. Skip this breed if you want a dog for sports, are away from home all day, or don't have a financial cushion for possible airway and eye treatment. Allergy sufferers should keep in mind that Pugs shed heavily.

Size and looks

Care and exercise

A Pug needs exercise, but in doses that match its breathing: two or three walks a day of 20–30 minutes at a relaxed pace are usually enough. In summer, go out early in the morning and late in the evening, avoid hot pavement and never leave the dog in a car. A harness works better than a collar because it doesn't press on the neck. The short coat sheds heavily all year: going over it with a rubber grooming mitt once or twice a week cuts down on hair on your clothes. Wipe and dry the facial folds regularly, and check the eyes daily for redness or squinting. Pugs have huge appetites, and every extra kilogram makes breathing harder, so weigh food on a kitchen scale and count treats as part of the daily ration. For training, choose short, upbeat sessions with rewards rather than long drills.

Health and breed-related conditions

The Pug is a brachycephalic breed, so its main problem is brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS): narrow nostrils, an elongated soft palate and tight airways make breathing hard, especially in heat and during exercise. The UK's Royal Kennel Club recommends that breeders have their dogs assessed under the Respiratory Function Grading scheme and places the Pug in Category 3 of Breed Watch, for breeds with visible conformation problems. The large, prominent eyes are easily injured and prone to ulcers. A disease typical of the breed is pug dog encephalitis (PDE), for which a DNA test exists. In a 2024 UK study, the Pug's median lifespan was 11.6 years. Look for a breeder who can show the parents' breathing test results and doesn't aim for extremely flat faces.

• brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS)Narrow nostrils, an elongated soft palate and a narrow windpipe make breathing difficult, especially in heat and during exercise.
• corneal injuries and ulcersProminent eyes in shallow sockets are easily scratched; in extreme cases the eyeball can slip out of its socket.
• pug dog encephalitis (PDE)An inflammatory brain disease typical of the breed; a DNA test is available for breeding dogs.
• skin fold dermatitisThe facial folds trap moisture, which encourages chafing and infections.
• obesityPugs gain weight easily, and extra weight makes breathing problems and overheating worse.
• Legg-Calvé-Perthes diseaseDeath of bone tissue in the head of the thighbone in young dogs, showing up as gradually worsening lameness.

This is general breed information, not a diagnosis. If something worries you, talk to your veterinarian.

Breed history

The Pug comes from China, where short-muzzled dogs were prized for centuries. It reached Europe with merchants of the Dutch East India Company, and by the 16th century it was already admired in the Netherlands, where it became a symbol of supporters of the House of Orange. When William III of Orange took the English throne, Pugs came with him to England. For a long time only fawn Pugs were known there: a black pair was brought over from the East only in 1877. In the 20th century the Pug became a classic lapdog, and in recent decades one of the most fashionable city breeds, which unfortunately encouraged breeding for ever flatter faces.

Fun facts

• In the 16th-century Netherlands, the Pug was a symbol of supporters of the House of Orange.
• The FCI standard allows four colors: silver, apricot, fawn and black.
• In fawn Pugs, a dark line running along the back from the back of the skull to the tail is a desirable feature under the standard.
• The UK's Royal Kennel Club does not register merle Pugs because of the risk of hearing and vision defects.

Frequently asked questions

This breed also appears in

• Small dog breeds
• Best dogs for apartments
• Calm dog breeds
• Dogs for first-time owners

Sources

1. 1FCI standard nr 253 – Pugfci.be
2. 2Royal Kennel Club – Pug breed informationroyalkennelclub.com
3. 3PetMD – Pugpetmd.com
4. 4McMillan et al. 2024, Longevity of companion dog breeds (Scientific Reports)pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.