Those lovable lugs, pugs

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 23/02/2016 (3597 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Years ago, I had a customer that bought a pug because they thought it would be hypoallergenic and wouldn’t shed much because it was short-haired.  

An allergic family member almost landed in the hospital. If they had done just a little research, they would have avoided this almost tragic event. Pugs are cute, comical little guys, and pug owners love them to bits despite all their quirks and concerns. They are one of the most loved and recognizable breeds, and until the doodle craze, probably one of the most crossbred dogs. Because they are so different, when you cross with something like a chihuahua, a Boston terrier, or a beagle, you end up with extremely different looks, and a fun name like a chug, bug or puggle.

Sometimes these crosses are intended to eliminate some of the health and grooming concerns, other times just for the unique appearance. Health concerns for purebred pugs can include breathing issues, joint issues, and a tendency to obesity. Breathing issues come from their unique facial structure, if the nasal passages aren’t quite right, they can have difficulty breathing, and will wheeze, snort and snore more than normal. There are surgical remedies for this if it is congenital, or it can be caused by excess weight, and may go away once normal weight is attained. Joint issues, again, can either be congenital or weight related.

Because of the way pugs are shaped, their front legs take a lot of the load, and that can cause problems, especially in overweight animals, which makes it even more important to maintain a proper weight.Pugs are jolly, and almost expected to be chubby. Like Santa, it just doesn’t seem right to see a skinny pug. If you want a long and healthy life for a pug, though, attention to weight issues is the top concern. Proper diet and regular exercise can go a long way to fixing this issue. Shedding is one thing every pug owner dreads. Sometimes, I think that half the lint roller market is pug owners. But there is a solution for that too — shaving.

Yes, I said it, shaving a pug. It’s something that is catching on now. Even with the invention of the Schticky, “Pug Hair Syndrome” is something that bothers the owners of these delightful dogs to no end. And especially if you like dark clothes, everyone you meet will be able to identify you as a pug owner.

Most people have never considered this idea. One of the reasons for buying a pug is that they don’t “need” grooming, like a poodle or shih tzu would. But just because they don’t “need” it doesn’t mean it is a bad idea. During the grooming, they run the clippers backwards to lift the hairs and clip them off, leaving just a soft, felt-like coat. This lasts, depending on the dog, three to six months. Most people who do this once repeat it again and again. They love the freedom from lint pickers, sticky tape rolls, and the Schticky. It’s not like that little bit of hair shaved off was keeping them warm anyway — you’re still going to put their little custom-made coats on in the winter.  

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Pugs are comical companions, but they need to be given the proper care to live a long, healthy life.

Contact Jeff with your questions or ideas ataardvarkpets@shaw.ca or visit www.aardvarkpets.com

Jeff McFarlane
Pets Are People, Too

Jeff McFarlane is the owner of Thrive Pet Food Market. Contact him with your questions or ideas thrivepetfoodmarket@shaw.ca or visit www.thrivepetfoodmarket.com

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