Toy group · China
Pug
Also called Mops, Carlin, Lo-Sze.
What makes them remarkable
Before European royal courts fell for the Pug, its ancestors were companions to Chinese emperors.
- Charming
- Mischievous
- Loving
- Even-tempered
- Playful

- Size
- Small
- Weight
- 6 to 8 kg14 to 18 lb
- Lives
- 13 to 15 years
- Energy
- Moderate
- Trains
- Moderate
- Barks
- Moderate
Training
Training a Pug
Toy breeds. Train them like a dog, not an ornament. Small dogs skip the manners work because they can be picked up.
Heat is dangerous
Start here
Cannot regulate body temperature well. Train only in cool conditions and watch for overheating.
Food Motivation
Highly food motivated but prone to obesity. Use tiny treats and measure meals carefully.
Short Sessions
Limited stamina due to breathing. Keep training sessions brief, 5 minutes maximum.
The app turns this into five to fifteen minutes a day.
Add your Pug and it builds the plan around their age, where they came from and what they already know, one step at a time.
Free to start. iPhone. No card needed.
At home
Living with one
Bred for company. Small in body, and often bigger in personality than the owner expected.
Gets on with
- ChildrenHigh
- Other dogsHigh
- StrangersHigh
- CatsHigh
Breed averages. Early socialisation and the individual dog matter more.
- Exercise
- 20-30 minutes daily maximum. Short walks in cool weather only. Indoor play preferred.
- Grooming
- Moderate maintenance. Weekly brushing. Daily facial fold cleaning essential.
- Drool
- Low
- Coat
- Short, Smooth, Double coatFawn, Black
- In a flat
- Can work, with enough exercise outside it.
Health
Things to ask a breeder or vet about
Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome
Severe
Significant breathing problems requiring careful management
Eye Problems
Moderate
Protruding eyes prone to ulcers, proptosis, and dry eye
Obesity
Moderate
Love food and prone to weight gain, worsening breathing issues
Where they come from
History
Ancient Chinese breed dating back to Han Dynasty (206 BC). Companion dogs for Chinese emperors. Brought to Europe in the 16th century and became popular with royalty.
- Frank the Pug · Alien disguised as a Pug
- Doug the Pug · Social media celebrity with millions of followers
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