There are some breeds of dog that have become famous in the networks thanks to how friendly they are. This is precisely what happens to Pug or Carlino, a small dog with a friendly face, very sociable and cheerful, who has won us all over. If you are thinking of including one of these dogs in the family, you are in luck, because it is a great breed to live with at home.
The Pug or Pugs have become very fashionable, which can also affect illegal breeding and health problems in many litters. Pedigree dogs that have passed health controls must be acquired to avoid indiscriminate breeding with dogs that are in poor condition. We tell you more about the characteristics of this friendly canine friend.
Physical characteristics
The Pug has physical characteristics that perfectly distinguish it from other breeds. It is a compact dog, small but with strong muscles, which gives it great energy. It is well proportioned and usually weighs between six and eight kilos, although there are many males that weigh more. Do not forget that you have a certain tendency to gain weight. His head is round with floppy ears and a flat snout that can make breathing difficult, a fact to take into account. The tongue curls into a short muzzle, with wrinkles around it. Their eyes stand out for being curious, round and somewhat bulging. In short, it is a dog that does not go unnoticed with very specific physical characteristics. Its tail is thin but curled on the back with a double turn. Its neck is quite thick, sometimes even somewhat wide compared to the head. This means that the collars may not be the best option, since they are constantly released, necessitating a harness due to their physical characteristics.
As for the color, it is more varied than we think. They are popular black, apricot or fawn colored Pugs, although you can also find the coat with a silver color, but it is rare. They have short, soft hair, with an insulating undercoat. Those that are not black should have a line called a mark that runs from the back of the head to the tail.
Pug personality
The Pug stands out for being a dog quite balanced and above all very cheerful. It is the ideal dog for families, with or without children, since it will bring daily joy with its actions, its gestures and its expressions. He is a dog with a great character, who loves to play, but can also be very dignified and quite stubborn depending on the circumstances. As with other dogs, education and socialization will always be necessary. They are sociable dogs by nature but have a lot of energy in general. That is why a lack of exercise or stimulation can make them unsociable with other dogs. It is important to give them discipline and moderate exercise on a daily basis, so that they develop a balanced and cheerful personality.
The health of the Pug
These dogs can have some problems, both related to diseases of the breed and due to their characteristics. As for your skin, it must be taken into account that wrinkles that they have on the face should be cleaned to prevent bacteria from building up and causing skin infections. They should be cleaned with a gas with soapy water and dried carefully.
Furthermore, the snub noses can cause breathing problems. They are dogs that cannot do very intense activities or go out in hours when it is too hot. You have to avoid these kinds of things so that they do not have respiratory problems. They are brachycephalic dogs and usually have a soft palate, which is wide and lax, falling back when they try to breathe forcefully, which makes the air have less surface area to enter, which is why they pant easily before physical activities.
La obesity is another common problem that affect this breed. It is a dog that is usually gluttonous and that will thank us all possible for us to provide it with more food. But do not be convinced by their friendly gestures, since with being overweight we will be looking for long-term problems. Once they gain weight, it is difficult for them to regain it, so you must always take care of your diet and daily exercise.
Their characteristic bulging eyes they can also lead to some problem. They are more likely to get scratches, to be affected by dirt or dust. That is why they must be cleaned frequently with gauze and serum or water. The entropion it may be another eye problem, where the eyelid is turned inward, causing it to contact the eye. Given this problem, the only thing left to do is visit the vet, since sometimes you have to operate.
Another problem that the Pug may have is that we have to emptying your anal glands. This domestic dog does not empty them on its own, since the breeds that are more adapted to outdoor life do so naturally. That is why your glands can fill up causing discomfort. They are located on the sides of the anus and can cause abscesses. One way to tell if you need it is to see if the dog is dragging its anus on the ground, indicating that it has discomfort.
Basic care
As we see the Pug is a dog that requires a lot of care for small details of their anatomy. However, it is a fairly strong and long-lived dog. With some basic care we make sure that we do not have to visit the vet. The anal glands, eyes and ears must be cleaned periodically, since they are low, they can get infections. We must also be careful with the hygiene of their skin, since they can easily have allergies or infections. The coat is short and easy to brush, so it does not present major problems if we do not have an allergy. Physical exercise, always moderate, must be controlled so that they do not gain weight.