Flat face, short muzzle, wrinkles and folds of skin, dark, protruding eyes, small semi-drooping triangular ears, these are the first physical characteristics of the Pug that distinguish it.

Poil : short, sand-colored, brown or black.

Size (height at the withers): about 30 cm.

Weight : its ideal weight is between 6 and 8 kg.

Classification FCI : N°253.

So much controversy surrounding the origin of the Pug breed, one of the oldest in the world! It is however generally accepted nowadays that it draws its origins in the East and more precisely in China. Manuscripts dating from 600 BC thus report “flat-faced” dogs which are said to be the ancestors of the Pug. It would be merchants from the Dutch East India Company who brought it back in the holds of ships to Europe in the XNUMXth century. He was then immediately popular in the Netherlands where he conquered the royal court and was referred to throughout Europe as the “Dutch Mastiff”. According to some theories the breed is the result of a cross between the Pekingese and the Bulldog and still others consider it a descendant of the French Mastiff.

The Pug is an intelligent and happy, mischievous and mischievous dog. He adapts very well to family life in an apartment and enjoys sharing family activities. The more he is considered, the happier he is.

The Pug has health problems, many of which are directly related to the morphology of its face.

Pug meningoencephalitis: this neurological pathology (of which an autoimmune origin is suspected) results in inflammation of the hemispheres of the brain. The following clinical picture should alert: deterioration of the general state, depressive state, visual disturbances, paresis / paralysis and seizures. There is no curative treatment and taking anti-inflammatory drugs does not prevent the chronic progression of the disease which ends in coma and death. Young females seem more exposed. (1)

Respiratory pathologies: like the French Bulldog, the English Bulldog, the Pekingese…, the Pug is said to be “brachycephalic” in reference to its shortened skull and crushed nose. These dogs present respiratory and digestive disorders directly related to this morphotype. We speak of obstructive airway syndrome or brachycephalic syndrome. It includes snoring, difficulty breathing, exercise and heat intolerance, and vomiting and regurgitation. Laser surgery widens the opening of the nostrils (rhinoplasty) and shortens the soft palate (palatoplasty). (2)

Dermatological infections: the wrinkles and folds of its skin which make its success are also its weakness by making the Pug vulnerable to bacterial infections with streptococci and staphylococci which come to lodge there. He is particularly prone to pyoderma of the facial crease which is located between the nose and the eyes. Erythema, pruritus and pestilential odor emerge from it. Treatment consists of applying local antiseptics, taking antibiotics and sometimes surgical removal of the fold.

Pseudo-hermaphrodisme : the male Pug is sometimes the victim of a hereditary anomaly of his genitalia. It has all the characteristics of a male, but these are doubled by sexual signs specific to the female. Thus the affected male Pug may be provided with a vulva. This is accompanied by problems on his male organs such as testicular ectopia (abnormal position of a testicle) and hypospadias. (3)

The Pug does not present any particular educational problems and is considered an easy going animal. His master must pay special attention to his health, in particular to his respiratory problems.