Pug Care: Grooming Tips for Pugs

Pugs are very low maintenance dogs. They require minimal grooming during the week. We have a grooming routine for our grumble that we follow to keep them squeaky clean:

Fur: Pugs LOVE to be brushed. Our pugs will push each other out of the way to get under the brush for their turn. During the week we will brush our pugs fur at least once to minimize shedding. We give our pugs a bath every 4-5 weeks unless they get into something and get dirty. We use natural oatmeal shampoo which helps with the dogs coat, keeping it moisturized. You can get an oatmeal shampoo at your local pet store. Bathing any dog too often can take away oil from their skin and dry their skin out. In our experience pugs enjoy bath time. They love to get a massage and be pampered. Every 2-3 days we also take a damp washcloth that is rung out and clean the wrinkles on their face. The wrinkles get dirt stuck in them that needs to be wiped out often to avoid an infection.

Jax in the car after his spa day

Ears: Pugs have ears that fold over. This makes it easy for dirt or dust to get stuck in their ears. 2-3 times a week we wipe our pugs ears with a damp wash cloth that is rung out to keep anything from building up in there. You can also use a cotton ball. Wipe out until nothing more shows up on the rag or cotton ball. It’s important to keep pugs ears clean because debris will build up and can cause an infection that would require a visit to the vet.

Nails: We take our pugs to the groomers to get their nails trimmed every 3-4 weeks depending on their length. You could also do this at home if you have the right dog nail trimmers. You don’t want to let their nails get very long because they can start to split and crack which will hurt your pug. (Note: In my experience taking a pug to the groomer to get their nails done requires two groomers to hold them still. Ours do not enjoy this part but it is a necessity.)

Teeth: In my experience, occasionally brushing your pug’s teeth will be enough to keep their teeth in good shape. Personally our pugs get their teeth brushed when they go to the groomer. Pet stores sell dog tooth brushes and flavored dog tooth paste so that you can brush your pugs teeth at home.

Most of our pugs grooming is done at home. But every 2-3 months we take our dogs to the groomers for a spa day. Our pugs love this and they come home very soft, shiny, and smell amazing! I highly recommend taking your pug for a spa day they will love it!

Taking care of your pug and keeping them well maintained is so worth it because there is truly no love quite like #puglove!

Mia after her spa day

Vinny after his spa day

Common Pug Health Problems

Like all breeds, pug’s are prone to certain health problems. Some of the medical problems in history for pugs are hip dysplasia, eye disease, patellear luxation (the knee cap dislocates), and pug dog encephalitis (inflammatory disease). While some of those may sound extreme, there’s no reason to worry. Overall pugs are healthy dogs.

http://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/pug/care/#health

We’ve been lucky to not have any serious problems with our pugs. But there are certain health problems we’ve noticed within our grumble.

Eyes; Pugs have big eyes that stick out. This makes the dog’s eyes prone to infection, and injury. We’ve had both happen to at least one of our pugs.  The vet will prescribe eye drops to put in their eyes to get rid of the infection. Injury on the other hand can be more serious. Thankfully our pug’s eye injuries haven’t been bad, but because their eyes are so big there are many other cases with pugs that end up losing one or both of their eyes. Keeping the pug’s nails trimmed and dangerous items out of their way is necessary.

Jaxun and his big eyes, and dry snout from winter

Ears; Pugs ears need to be cleaned at least every other day if not daily. (Unless you have a mama pug who will do the work for you) Their ears flap over which makes it easy for dust or dirt to get into their ear and stay there. You can notice if your pug is having an ear problem because they will continuously scratch it. If you notice this with your pug, consult your vet. This can be a sign of infection which is painful for our pugs.

Skin; Pugs are prone to allergies and dry skin. Some pugs require medication to settle down their allergies. With our grumble we have learned to manage their coat. For our grumble we put coconut oil or extra virgin olive oil on their food at least once a week. This helps keep their skin soft and fur full from the inside out.

Jaxun showing off his shiny coat

Breathing; Pugs can have a hard time breathing. Our pug Mia has more skin above her nose so sometimes it makes it harder for her to breathe. The only way to make her breathing better would be to have surgery on her nose to remove some of the skin. When pugs have a lot of activity you will notice they have a shortness of breath and take some time to recover. Try to calm your pug down and keep them from getting to excited to help manage their breathing.

Mia, with her extra pudgy nose 

Pugs are actually very easy to take care of despite their common health problems. Even if they require a little extra love, there is no love quite like #puglove!

Just a cute picture of Jaxun

Enjoy another cute pug video talking more in-depth about #pugproblems;

A Day in the Life of a Pug

Pugs are the perfect house dogs. A pug doesn’t care where you live; a one-bedroom apartment, a four-bedroom house, a farm house with a lot of land, they will fit in anywhere. However, Pugs are sensitive to extreme weather. Their ideal temperature is not too hot and not too cold, but with proper care a pug can adapt anywhere with anyone. Pugs get along with other dogs, children, elderly, etc.

They don’t require too much exercise, even though they LOVE going on walks (or W-A-L-K’S as we have to call them in our house). Moderate exercise is important to keep them at their ideal weight of 14-18 pounds.

Jax, and his Chi-Pom Sister Minnie on a walk this week

In my experience pugs are pretty easy to take care of.  A Day in the life of a Pug (in this case my pug son, Jaxun) is actually pretty simple:

Sleep; this takes up a large part of a pugs day. They are heavy sleepers, and known for snoring. If they aren’t being entertained (or begging for food) you can usually find them sleeping or just laying around.

Pug Cuddles

Laying in his sisters bed

Eat; Pugs love to ask for their parent’s human food (with the begging face pictured below), but our pugs love the food that they eat too. I think pugs are bottomless pits, I’m not sure if they are ever full. If I let him my pug would continuously eat. It’s important to make sure your pug is not eating too much.   

Jax and his begging face

Play; for their size, pugs play like a big dog. Our pugs love playing tug a war, sprinting around the yard, chasing their toy, and playing with their siblings. But, they can play rough if you let them.

Jax playing with his toy 

Stalk their owner; everywhere I go Jax is right behind me, and sometimes will even lead me to where I’m going. Pugs are extremely loyal. They will follow you around the house wherever you go. (Truthfully, they would love to go wherever you go)

Jax on the boat this past summer

If you’re a pug parent, you know that even though you have to watch your step so your pug doesn’t trip you, there is truly no love quite like #puglove. 

My boy, Jaxun

http://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/pug/care/#energy

Enjoy this cute video of pug puppies doing what they do best, being themselves:

History of Pugs Royal Past

Pugs are known (not just by their snort) but by their two colors (black or fawn), curly tail, short legs with a longer body, and a “mask” around their face. Pugs come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Below are pictures of our grumble where you can notice their differences (and of course how cute they are)

Brother, Vinchenzo

Sister, Mia

Momma Bear, Bella

My Boy, Jaxun

Pugs are categorized as charming, loving, mischievous, and even-tempered but they are so much more. In my experience our pugs are also loyal, playful, and have their own interesting personalities.  In history Pugs are one of the oldest dog breeds. They have been around since before 400 B.C. Pugs originated in China, and the first known pug pet was the pet of the Buddhist monasteries.

King Jaxun

Pugs then started showing up in Japan, and next Europe. Pugs were a favorite within royal courts, and overtime were bred to be lap dogs of royalty. It’s no surprise that pugs are still extremely loyal and loving lap dogs. If you have a pug in your home then you have experienced this kind of unconditional loyalty and love. If not, I definitely recommend adopting one! 

(http://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/pug/)

Bella and Vinchenzo

There is truly no love quite like #puglove!

Pug Fun Fact:

“Josephine, Wife of Napoleon used her pug “Fortune” to 

carry secret messages under his collar to her husband while she was imprisoned at les carmes.”

 http://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/pug/detail/