Is a Pug a Good Choice for Your Pet Dog? Pros and Cons

It is always a good idea to be objective when choosing the dog you want to become your new "best friend". A good source of information is American Kennel Club's AKC MEET THE BREEDS®: Pug. Where Pugs are concerned there are a few health issues that need to be considered, but there are more irresistible attributes that will be difficult to resist. Before making up your mind try to find someone who owns a pet Pug and see if you don't instantly fall in love with it. Below are some of good reasons to get a Pug along with some of the things that aren't so great.

Pros:

Pugs have huge personalities and love to please their owners.

They are not "yappers", as are many small breeds.

Pugs are not aggressive, but are sweet-tempered and gentle.

Pugs "show off" and will do just about anything, no matter how silly, to make you laugh.

This is one "Toy" breed that loves children.

They make great inside dogs and don't require a lot of space.

They are not delicate and while small they are quite sturdy.

They have great adaptability to their surroundings.

If you want a great lap dog, your pet Pug will be happy to oblige.

Cons:

This breed sheds. Regular combing is strongly advised to keep the shedding at a minimum.

Their short nose keeps them from regulating their temperatures, so outdoor activities need to be limited, especially in extreme heat.

They snore when they sleep or nap, which, depending on the dog's size can get rather loud.

Pugs have sweet, sad eyes which makes it hard to resist feeding them whenever they beg for food but, obesity is a problem with this breed, and can limit their mobility.

Pug puppies are excitable and somewhat over-active. Sometimes they don't become calmer until they age a couple of years.

Training can take longer than it does with some other breeds.

Pugs are known to be prone to a number of different health problems and they need to have regular vet visits to head them off.

With Pugs it may appear that there are as many bad traits as there are good ones, but if you have a chance to meet a Pug I believe you'll decide the good traits actually outweigh the bad ones by a long way. If you like to laugh and require a pet that will make you happy, a pet Pug will certainly fill the bill. They are the clowns of the dog world and appear to have a sense of humor along with being somewhat dignified.. They enjoy playing and aren't as delicate as other small dogs. You'll find that they are anxious to please and give their love. Their greatest need is to be loved in return. If you need a perfect small pet dog, the Pug will fill the bill.

Don Levy AKC MEET THE BREEDS®: Pug American Kennel Club