But while they may be quirky, you will soon see that these little dogs have much more going for them than just their unique cuteness.
What is it like to have a Pug as a pet?
Pugs are big snoozers and can sleep for around 14 hours a day and if you don’t have much spare time to go out on lengthy dog walks, then Pugs are ideal. They only need around 20 minutes of brisk exercise a day. But they can be greedy and prone to gaining weight, so keep an eye on their diet. While they are relatively low-maintenance dogs, their hair does need regular grooming and their famous wrinkles need regular cleaning too, so they avoid developing dermatitis. If you are a first-time dog owner, then Pugs are ideal as they don’t need extensive dog training experience. However, they can be rather stubborn so you may need extra patience.
Do Pugs make good family pets?
Pugs are great with children because of their very affectionate, playful and sociable nature and happy to simply follow you around. The shape of their mouth means that Pugs can’t really deliver an aggressive bite and because of this are considered to be one of the more child-safe breeds. They are happy and cheerful dogs and love taking part in family activities. Pugs are generally more of a lover than a fighter and will try to endear themselves to any other pets you have.
What are some fun Pug facts?
Every breed is unique, but the Pug really stands apart. With its little barrel-shaped body, expressive eyes and flat wrinkled face and a charming, quirky and intelligent personality, the Pug has become one of the most loved dog breeds. Here are some surprising Pug facts about these adorable little dogs that you may not know.
1. Just over 9,740 pugs were registered in the UK with the Kennel Club in 2018.
2. A group of pugs is called a grumble.
3. The Pug breed originated in China in 700 B.C.
4. The vertical wrinkle on a Pug’s forehead is said to resemble the Chinese character for “prince” and consequently became known as the “prince mark.”
5. Pugs were brought from China to Europe in the 16th Century and became a popular lapdog for the aristocracy.
6. Pugs became the official dog of the House of Orange when a Pug named Pompey saved the life of Holland’s William I, the Prince of Orange, in 1592.
7. In the 19th Century, Queen Victoria was very passionate about Pugs and owned several.
8. In the 16th and 17th Centuries, Pugs would ride up in the front of private carriages, dressed in jackets that matched the coachman.
9. The Latin phrase “multum in parvo”, meaning “much in little” has been used to describe Pugs because of the breed’s big personality and small stature.
10. Pugs are between 10 and 11 inches tall and weight around 14 to 18 pounds.
11. Pugs have a short and dense double coat that ranges from apricot to silver, fawn and black in colour. All but the black Pugs have a dark mask and ears with some darkening down the back.
12. Their ears feel like velvet.
13. The Pug is a favourite breed among celebrities and Hollywood stars such as actress Jessica Alba, actor Gerard Butler, singer-songwriter Billy Joel who have each owned at least one Pug.
14. Napoleon's wife had a pet Pug which may have been what inspired the French statesman and military leader to say, “I would rather have an army of Dogs led by a Pug than an army of Pugs led by a Dog.”
Get to know the Pug breed
At first glance, you may think that Pugs are a grumpy dog, but nothing could be further from the truth. As these Pug facts show, they make excellent pets, whether you enjoy the outdoors, prefer to stay at home, have children or live alone. These adorable little dogs are up for anything and make wonderful companions.
