Pugs are clowns at heart, known for their silly antics, but they still manage to maintain a sense of dignity. They are known as a lap dog and enjoy lounging around in the company of their human companion, and enjoy daily exercise in the form of a walk. An inside dog, they should never be left out-of-doors for any extended period of time.

The Pug is of Chinese origin. They were prized possessions of the Emperors of China and lived in a most luxurious atmosphere and at times were even guarded by soldiers. The Dutch traders brought the Pugs from the east to Holland and to England where the pug was enjoyed by many Monarchs of Europe.

The American Kennel Club first recognized the breed in 1885. The Pug Dog Club of America was founded in 1931 and recognized by the AKC that same year.

Being a purebred dog, the pug does come with some high maintenance medical issues. Typical medical problems include ear infections, eye problems, mast cell tumors, and skin infections.

Some pugs can suffer from a collapsing trachea or elongated palate making it difficult for them to breathe, especially in hot weather. During the hotter months of the year, it is best to keep your pug in a cool room and avoid walks during the hottest part of the day as they can easily become overheated.

Pug owners in hot climates, besides running the air conditioner, can purchase items such as a cooling body wrap and cooling mat to keep their pug from overheating.

Although the pug comes in a small package, their shedding can be extreme. Be prepared to vacuum or sweep your floors almost daily during the summer when shedding is at its worst and several times a week during the cooler months. Invest in a good lint brush as your clothing will be covered in pug hair also (a minor inconvenience for those of us who love our pugs).

The pug loves food and can easily become overweight if over-indulged with snacks or larger than necessary meal portions. Talk to your vet about your pug’s appropriate weight.

Since the pug is susceptible to skin infections, a healthy diet is a must. Choosing a high quality food for your pug will pay off in a healthier dog with fewer visits to the vet (that means no grocery store dog food!). Read your food labels carefully and choose a dog food with more natural ingredients.

Your pug should visit the vet at least once a year for a physical. A blood test at age six is a good idea and can catch many potential health problems allowing early treatment with the appropriate diet or medication.

Pugs make excellent traveling companions and many pug owners take their pugs with them on vacation. Sharing their human’s bed is the preferred sleeping arrangement for the pug, although for those who would find this a difficult arrangement, a dog bed next to the bed will be tolerated.

If considering a pug breed, try adopting from a local pug rescue. You can find a pug rescue near you at http://www.rescuers.com.

Copyright 2006 Carol Stack

Pug owners are like most dog owners, they’d like to have photos of their pet. It can be fun to upload cute pictures of your pet to sites online that welcome photos of pets, or of Pugs particularly, and see what photos others have posted of their Pugs. There are many sites online specifically for that purpose.

Pugs happen to be particularly cute with their little size, wrinkled face, and soulful eyes, and so it seems natural to want to photograph them. They also have plenty of personality, like when they do clever things to try to get attention from their owners or others. It’s natural to want to take pictures of all the cuteness. With some preparation ahead of time, the Pug owner will have much more of a chance of success. The natural traits of the Pug, like their short attention span, will have less of a chance of wrecking the photo session and frustrating the pet owner.

Consider carefully your setting. Be sure your Pug doesn’t get lost in the background. A lighter colored Pug looks great in front of green foliage, a black Pug better in front of something light, perhaps a homemade backdrop. Above all, avoid a busy scene that would take attention away from your prime focus, the Pug. If you plan to take the photos outside, early morning or late afternoon are the best times. Also, be close to your dog, and down at his level. The photo will not come out as well if the dog is a small spot in the middle of the frame, shot from high above. Being close will give you much better details, including the expression on your Pug’s face and in his eyes. Being down on his level will help him focus on you.

Have a squeaky toy or food handy to help maintain his attention. You know your pet, use what will keep him alert but not tempt him to jump up and run over to you. Be patient and work with your dog’s personality, and remember it isn’t realistic to expect a hyper puppy to sit for long. Having a helper can make photo shoots easier.

Getting good Pug pictures can be simple if you remember the basics. Choose your background wisely, so that your Pug will stand out and not just be swallowed up against it (use a dark background for light Pug, light background for dark Pug, neither color in front of anything too busy). Get down to Pug level so that you are right in front, and get in close. You will get better shots that way, with the light in your Pug’s eyes and a glisten to his fur. You will end up with photos of your Pug that you can be proud to show to others. You will enjoy telling them how you took the pictures yourself.

Be sure to also take some of your Pug while he is asleep, not only is that simply adorable but those are also Pug-proof and simple! If you follow these hints, you should end up with photos you love, and you will look forward to taking more photos as your Pug grows and does new cute things.

pug puppies