Strengths & Weaknesses of Pugs

Behavior

• Pugs have a natural fun-loving nature and magnetic energy that causes them to rush to their owners and continually want to play. The dogs look as though they always have a smile on their face because of how the skin folds look around their mouth. Their tongue sticks out because of their small mouths. These dogs often like to jump on laps, which you might see as a disadvantage, but you can train your pug not to do this.

Size

• Pugs have a small, square body with short, lean legs. Pure-bread pugs that haven't been mixed with other breeds weigh 14 to 18 lbs. They have large, round heads compared to their small bodies. They have big eyes that stick out, and sometimes pugs develop eye problems such as dry eyes, corneal ulcers and cataracts as they grow older. A pug's neck is short, thick, and arched with a short muzzle and lots of thick, deep wrinkles all over their faces. Some pugs have difficulty breathing because of the small, constricted size of their airways and nostrils. Pugs also have tiny ears and a small, curly tail. Pugs have small hips, so they may suffer from leg problems or hip dysplasia.

  Their small size is a strength if you want a dog that doesn't need a lot of space. Pugs may try to protect their owners, but they often fall short in this area because of their small size. Other, bigger dogs can easily overcome a pug, so this factor works against the breed. Choose another breed, if you want a guard dog.

Coat

• A pug's coat has many strengths that appeal to pet owners. The coat feels like soft velvet to the touch, and it's short and glossy rather than hard or fuzzy. It's easy to maintain their appearance because their fur doesn't grow very long. This appeals to people who don't like excess shedding. Pugs do shed, but it's easy to manage because they lose very little fur. Pugs may need to wear a sweater to keep them warm during the winter, so this is the only weakness in regard to their coat.

Markings and Color

• A pug's markings and color add to the strength of the breed. These dogs come in solid brown, black, cream, and bi-colors showcasing a combination of black, white cream, and brown. Many pugs have a cream-colored coat with black markings around their tail, legs and face. However, some pugs only have black ears and faces. Breeders work hard to produce pugs with black faces. The American Kennel Club calls this the "black mask."