Dealing with Pug Issues
Pugs can be the most loving, loyal and lovable dogs, but because they have unique personalities, dealing with pug issues successfully is vital.
Dealing with pug issues that are particular to this breed will enable you to get the most out of this wonderful little dog. You need to be aware of certain behavioral and health topics associated with pugs before you consider getting one.
Dealing With Pug Issues – What You Need To Know
- Pugs are clingy. This can be a positive or a negative, depending on your point of view. If you need a dog that is independent and self-sufficient, this is not the dog for you. If, on the other hand, you are looking for a constant companion that will follow you around like a shadow, the pug is perfect. They are wonderful lap dogs, good with people, children and other dogs.
- Pugs love everyone. They don’t make good watchdogs but can be relied upon to be consistently loveable with everyone they meet.
- Pugs are intelligent. This too can have an upside and a down side. On the one hand they are responsive and quick to learn, but on the other hand can be willful if you do not establish yourself as the pack leader.
- Pugs are homebodies. They are primarily indoor dogs. Pugs don’t do well in very hot or very cold temperatures and humidity is not good for them.
- Pugs need maintenance. They shed a lot and have very fast growing nails that need clipping frequently. Their facial folds also need cleaning on a regular basis. Their ears need a certain amount of attention and upkeep. If you are looking for a low maintenance dog, don’t get a pug.
- Pugs like to sleep a lot. When pugs are awake, they are alert and active, but they are not high activity dogs.
- Pugs are puppies at heart. They are fun dogs and stay in the puppy stage for far longer than other breeds which makes housetraining a bit more difficult.
- Pugs are noisy. They have squashed faces which make breathing difficult so they snuffle, snore and wheeze.
Dealing With Pug Issues and Health
All dogs have their fair share of health issues but the pug seems to have a few more. They have been bred to have short faces and bulging eyes which mean respiratory problems and quite a few eye issues. These are just some of the conditions that may be experienced by pugs:
- Eye injuries. Pugs eyes protrude a lot and are prone to injury.
- Entropion. This is where the eyelid folds inwards and causes irritation and damage to the cornea.
- Pug Dog Encephalitis (PDE) A hereditary disease affecting pugs.
- Elongated soft palate and cleft palate. Both caused by breeding the pug to have a compressed head.
- Trick knee. Known as patella luxation, it affects small breeds like pugs where the knee dislocates easily.
The pug makes a delightful companion and a good friend but before you get one, consider that there is a certain amount of work involved dealing with pug issues.
