Buying a pug - help!

Atari Jaguar · 22-12-2016 04:16AM #1

Since we met each other my wife has been asking me to buy a pug. Now shes loved them forever but her parents weren't interested in buying one - I was happy to buy her one but I've never bought a dog or any animal besides a rabbit when I was small so I've been kind of wary of going and buying one - the main concerns I have

1. How do you know a reputable breeder from a bad one?

2. What's the general (if there is one) price for a pug puppy?

3. Are males or females more friendly or does it matter?

4. What are things to look for in a seller

5. When are pugs usually bred?

6. Do they have many common health issues to be aware of?

Note to mods: I saw the sticky about puppies at Christmas - this isn't one of those I am by no means buying it for another while yet

topmanamillion · 22-12-2016 05:13AM

Atari Jaguar wrote: »

1. How do you know a reputable breeder from a bad one?

Simplest way is to ask to see the mother. If she`s well treated and in good nick you`ll know the person is reputable.
If someone offers to come to your house or meet you on the side of the road and sell it out of their boot chances are they aren't legitimate.
Also beware of people selling pugs at very low prices. Find out the market value for the type of pug you are interested in.

Atari Jaguar wrote: »

2. What's the general (if there is one) price for a pug puppy?

As with most dogs the price varies. Prices average out at around E500. Mixes will be cheaper than that. Pure breeds can be considerably more.

Atari Jaguar wrote: »

3. Are males or females more friendly or does it matter?

If they are neutered it wouldn't make any difference. Unneutered male dogs tend to be more boisterous.

Atari Jaguar wrote: »

4. What are things to look for in a seller

See point 1

Atari Jaguar wrote: »

5. When are pugs usually bred?

Generally around 2 years. I`d hope this isn't why you`re buying it. If its a pet it should be a pet, particularly as you are clearly a novice.

Atari Jaguar wrote: »

6. Do they have many common health issues to be aware of?

Yes quite a lot and require regular vet visits, regular (preferably daily) skin fold cleaning (their folds can gather dirt which leads to infections and require swabbing).
They are firmly in the "designer breed" category. The desirable traits that people like and find cute i.e bulging eyes, skin folds, small and fat etc directly increase their risk of health issues.
Pugs have a very narrow and short nasal cavity as a result of their stubbed snouts and this makes them more susceptible to breathing issues.
Their eyes are prone to injury and infection because of their bulging anatomy
Their curled tails are the perfect environment for fleas as this area becomes sweaty.

Atari Jaguar · 22-12-2016 05:24AM

No I meant is there a particular time of year they are bred not what age I have no intention of breeding pugs.

Dubl07 · 22-12-2016 05:27AM

Has your wife spent time with pugs, played with them, walked them and groomed them? Or is it that she likes their appearance?

If you're both young and active, bear in mind that a pug won't be physically capable of nice long walks. You'll also need excellent health insurance for your dog as they are prone to a lot of ailments.

PucaMama · 22-12-2016 05:34AM

Dubl07 wrote: »

Has your wife spent time with pugs, played with them, walked them and groomed them? Or is it that she likes their appearance?

If you're both young and active, bear in mind that a pug won't be physically capable of nice long walks. You'll also need excellent health insurance for your dog as they are prone to a lot of ailments.

Not every pug is incapable of long walks ours loves walks

Atari Jaguar · 22-12-2016 05:39AM

Dubl07 wrote: »

Has your wife spent time with pugs, played with them, walked them and groomed them? Or is it that she likes their appearance?

If you're both young and active, bear in mind that a pug won't be physically capable of nice long walks. You'll also need excellent health insurance for your dog as they are prone to a lot of ailments.

Not that I know of but she could've as she spent a long time volunteering in an animal rescue as well as raising two kittens from birth so she's defiantly not a noob when it comes to minding cats and dogs. Once we know the basics of properly taking care of a pug we can work towards getting one for ourselves. I won't be popping out next week to buy one like!

we're 21 and 23 respectively and we would be out often enough but not out for 5 mile walks every day. It's not a big issue to take the dog for his excersise then if we need to go shopping for groceries or something make sure he's safe and secure at home. We won't be forcing the poor thing to walk beyond his limits. What would you say is the usual amount of walking a pug could handle? I imagine not a whole lot given how small they are.

Dubl07 · 22-12-2016 05:47AM

Atari Jaguar wrote: »

Not that I know of but she could've as she spent a long time volunteering in an animal rescue as well as raising two kittens from birth so she's defiantly not a noob when it comes to minding cats and dogs. Once we know the basics of properly taking care of a pug we can work towards getting one for ourselves. I won't be popping out next week to buy one like!

we're 21 and 23 respectively and we would be out often enough but not out for 5 mile walks every day. It's not a big issue to take the dog for his excersise then if we need to go shopping for groceries or something make sure he's safe and secure at home. We won't be forcing the poor thing to walk beyond his limits. What would you say is the usual amount of walking a pug could handle? I imagine not a whole lot given how small they are.

You're better informed than I thought then. My 18 year-old niece wanted a pug last year because 'cute' even though she had zero experience with dogs so we persuaded her that a bit of a wait might be best, especially since at her age she's hoping to move to college next autumn. Your OP just touched a nerve. :-)

Atari Jaguar · 22-12-2016 05:50AM

Dubl07 wrote: »

You're better informed than I thought then. My 18 year-old niece wanted a pug last year because 'cute' even though she had zero experience with dogs so we persuaded her that a bit of a wait might be best, especially since at her age she's hoping to move to college next autumn. Your OP just touched a nerve. :-)

Ah yeah I get that. I do see where she's coming from they are adorable looking yokes, we were thinking of a Labrador but we just don't have the space for a big dog like that, it would just be cruel!

SillyMangoX · 22-12-2016 09:59AM

I thought I liked pugs until I spent some time around them. I couldn't deal with the snoring out of them! Some of them can be incredibly noisy, not just with barking.
One thing I'd say though is do not let them get over weight. It puts a lot of pressure on their already compromised breathing!
And get a good brush from day one, they shed like mad.
Price wise, a lot I've seen have been from €800 into the thousands. Do some research into the health tests a pug should have and make sure you find a breeder who tests for them (not the same thing as a yearly vet check where they're deemed healthy!)
They are incredibe clowns though and I've never met one with a shred of bad personality

dashoonage · 22-12-2016 03:05PM

I cant offer anything here other than fair play for having the cop on to research this fully before committing OP. I wish there were more like you.

Nody · 22-12-2016 03:07PM

Honestly PUGs is a classic example of where you better be looking at spending above average money simply to get as healthy pug as possible (and of course all relevant health checks completed etc. as price alone is not going to tell everything)

Atari Jaguar · 22-12-2016 03:08PM

Nody wrote: »

Honestly PUGs is a classic example of where you better be looking at spending above average money simply to get as healthy pug as possible (and of course all relevant health checks completed etc. as price alone is not going to tell everything)

Money is not an object anyway so that's no issue but I don't want to be ripped off either.

Hasmunch · 22-12-2016 03:14PM

Relevant Comic
http://m.imgur.com/gallery/QXRuuDd

Cherry Blossom · 22-12-2016 03:39PM

Hasmunch wrote: »

Relevant Comic
http://m.imgur.com/gallery/QXRuuDd

Absolutely, breeding a litter of pugs regardless of what health tests have been done is a practice I personally find abhorrent. The breed is so far gone that they should be let live out their lives without ever having pups and allow the breed to slip gently into extinction.

Just my two cents.

Choc Chip · 22-12-2016 05:21PM

Hey OP, in case you don't know (and as Cherry Blossom mentioned), there is a bit of controversy about flat-faced dogs like pugs right now. The British Veterinary Association released a comment on it a while back (can't find it right now but article refers: http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-37423040). I love pugs, they're just adorable clowns, but I don't think I could buy a pug puppy right now with what has been done to the breed.

Also, don't write-off all big dogs. Labs are energetic, but a small dog like a jack russell is likely to need WAY more time and attention than a big lazy greyhound, so it's not just size you need to consider, it's the overall breed characteristics.

PucaMama · 23-12-2016 08:33PM

Op there is a current trend of people thinking that pugs are automatically unhealthy. all dog breeds with all face types have health issues. I know someone who's apparently young and healthy lab died at 18 months from heart failure. And another persons lab had serious hip problems. In my opinion it's down to people throwing any two dogs of the same breed together.

PucaMama · 23-12-2016 08:34PM

Hasmunch wrote: »

Relevant Comic
http://m.imgur.com/gallery/QXRuuDd

False and over exaggerated

topmanamillion · 23-12-2016 08:49PM

PucaMama wrote: »

Op there is a current trend of people thinking that pugs are automatically unhealthy. all dog breeds with all face types have health issues. I know someone who's apparently young and healthy lab died at 18 months from heart failure. And another persons lab had serious hip problems. In my opinion it's down to people throwing any two dogs of the same breed together.

Pugs are a toy breed/designer dog. Its accepted that they are more susceptible to health problems than more rugged breeds such as Collies or German Shepard's.
There`s no exaggeration that they suffer more health problems than most other dogs. Of course a person may be lucky and have a pug with little to no health problems but the odds aren't in favour of this.

https://www.rspca.org.au/campaigns/pedigree-dogs/the-pug

Second line on that page: "Pugs usually have serious breathing problems as a direct result of their exaggerated, flat face."

Dubl07 · 23-12-2016 08:52PM

PucaMama wrote: »

Op there is a current trend of people thinking that pugs are automatically unhealthy. all dog breeds with all face types have health issues. I know someone who's apparently young and healthy lab died at 18 months from heart failure. And another persons lab had serious hip problems. In my opinion it's down to people throwing any two dogs of the same breed together.

"Throwing" two dogs together is part of it, but so is the lack of enforcement around current legislation, not to mention that more legislation would be an idea if it were to be enforced.

If we want healthy, well-socialised pups, very small breeders (born and reared inside the owners' own living-accommodation, few litters per year, max ?2 bitches) seems much more logical than those who have licences for breeding many, many pups at a time.

It would be in the interests of the pedigree breed committees to fund genetic testing and in-depth health-testing of any pair of pedigree dogs prior to their being allowed to breed.

PucaMama · 23-12-2016 08:55PM

topmanamillion wrote: »

Pugs are a toy breed/designer dog. Its accepted that they are more susceptible to health problems than more rugged breeds such as Collies or German Shepard's.
There`s no exaggeration that they suffer more health problems than most other dogs. Of course a person may be lucky and have a pug with little to no health problems but the odds aren't in favour of this.

https://www.rspca.org.au/campaigns/pedigree-dogs/the-pug

Second line on that page: "Pugs usually have serious breathing problems as a direct result of their exaggerated, flat face."

I honestly don't understand how you can use German shepherd as a supposedly healthier breed. Compare show type German shepherd and show type pug. Now what do they have in common?

Commotion Ocean · 23-12-2016 09:01PM

Just rescue a damn dog from a pound if you want a companion. Dog breeding is cruel and should be banned.

Why do you want to spend hundreds on a pure bred pug, which, as many posters have pointed out is prone to disease. Get a mongrel that'll be glad to be rescued, will be a great companion, will cost only the price of a donation to the pound and will live much longer than a pure bred.

People who breed dogs and the people who supply demand are scum.

PucaMama · 23-12-2016 09:03PM

dfeo wrote: »

Just rescue a damn dog from a pound if you want a companion. Dog breeding is cruel and should be banned.

Why do you want to spend hundreds on a pure bred pug, which, as many posters have pointed out is prone to disease. Get a mongrel that'll be glad to be rescued, will be a great companion, will cost only the price of a donation to the pound and will live much longer than a pure bred.

People who breed dogs and the people who supply demand are scum.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with well bred well cared for dogs and if we had more of those we would have less in pounds. The issue is with the methods of breeders not the actual breeding.

tk123 · 23-12-2016 09:13PM

PucaMama wrote: »

There is absolutely nothing wrong with well bred well cared for dogs and if we had more of those we would have less in pounds. The issue is with the methods of breeders not the actual breeding.

+1 Well bred dogs from reputable breeders aren't what's filling up pounds and rescues for lots of reasons one being because the breeder will always take a dog back.

I wish people would get their facts straight before shoving adopt don't shop in everyone's face as it gets tiresome.:rolleyes:

Yes rescue we're not allowed name - I DO actually know when my pup came from and where her parents, grandparents, great great grandparents came from too!

Choc Chip · 23-12-2016 09:24PM

Yeah, but it doesn't have to be one against the other.
I've no problem with properly bred dogs, but that doesn't excuse the fact that the vast majority aren't well bred. There are puppy-farm bred pups everywhere I look (as evidenced by their breeds, where they come from and the time of year they arrive). The big problem is the number of puppy farm dogs, rather than the number of properly bred dogs.
That's totally different from the issue of pugs as a breed. I, personally, wouldn't have a brachiocephalic breed. That's my opinion. I also disagree with what they've done to the show GSD. That's totally separate to the breeder v rescue argument that (please) we wont get into on this thread.

Knine · 23-12-2016 09:27PM

dfeo wrote: »

Just rescue a damn dog from a pound if you want a companion. Dog breeding is cruel and should be banned.

Why do you want to spend hundreds on a pure bred pug, which, as many posters have pointed out is prone to disease. Get a mongrel that'll be glad to be rescued, will be a great companion, will cost only the price of a donation to the pound and will live much longer than a pure bred.

People who breed dogs and the people who supply demand are scum.

I think you need to educate yourself. If breeding was banned & we only had mongrels then we would have no decent Service dogs, no decent Police or Search Dogs, no sheep herding dogs, Sled Dogs, Drug Sniffer dogs, Gun dogs, Working Terrier dogs, Live stock guarding dogs - I could go on & on. You obviously have failed to notice that the best of these are pure breeds.

Many of our native Irish Breeds would go extinct, along with other very vunerable breeds.

Oh I am one of those scumbags you talk of & secondly my mongrel died aged 3 from heart failure. Pedigree issues are documented & researched so you hear about them a lot more often, mongrels not so much. The pedigree dogs I have regularly live until their late teens.

DBB · 23-12-2016 09:28PM

dfeo wrote: »

Just rescue a damn dog from a pound if you want a companion. Dog breeding is cruel and should be banned.

Why do you want to spend hundreds on a pure bred pug, which, as many posters have pointed out is prone to disease. Get a mongrel that'll be glad to be rescued, will be a great companion, will cost only the price of a donation to the pound and will live much longer than a pure bred.

People who breed dogs and the people who supply demand are scum.

Please rein it in. This is not a rescue forum and people who choose to purchase a pedigree dog will not be treated any differently than those who choose to rescue.
The op is asking how to do things right. That is an excellent first step.
Do not reply to this post on thread.
Thanks,
DBB

topmanamillion · 23-12-2016 10:04PM

PucaMama wrote: »

I honestly don't understand how you can use German shepherd as a supposedly healthier breed. Compare show type German shepherd and show type pug. Now what do they have in common?

I never said anything about show type dogs. Its an entirely different area. Think a thoroughbred horse and a Shetland pony.
Collies and German Sheppard's are classed as rugged or working dogs.
While there are illnesses specific to every breed there is no comparison between the ruggedness of a German Sheppard and that of a Pug.

muddypaws · 23-12-2016 10:17PM

topmanamillion wrote: »

I never said anything about show type dogs. Its an entirely different area. Think a thoroughbred horse and a Shetland pony.
Collies and German Sheppard's are classed as rugged or working dogs.
While there are illnesses specific to every breed there is no comparison between the ruggedness of a German Sheppard and that of a Pug.

Seriously? Have you seen the roach backed show GSDs?

PucaMama · 23-12-2016 10:44PM

topmanamillion wrote: »

I never said anything about show type dogs. Its an entirely different area. Think a thoroughbred horse and a Shetland pony.
Collies and German Sheppard's are classed as rugged or working dogs.
While there are illnesses specific to every breed there is no comparison between the ruggedness of a German Sheppard and that of a Pug.

The issues gsds have go way beyond the show ring but that's where they started. Look at all the pets with the awful sloped backs. Belgian malinois are starting to replace them as police dogs.

Also it's working dogs, no rugged in the name.

Atari Jaguar · 23-12-2016 11:00PM

dfeo wrote: »

Just rescue a damn dog from a pound if you want a companion. Dog breeding is cruel and should be banned.

Why do you want to spend hundreds on a pure bred pug, which, as many posters have pointed out is prone to disease. Get a mongrel that'll be glad to be rescued, will be a great companion, will cost only the price of a donation to the pound and will live much longer than a pure bred.

People who breed dogs and the people who supply demand are scum.

Get a grip :rolleyes:

tk123 · 24-12-2016 07:27PM

There you are OP :pac: - http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-4057892/Dog-lover-spends-20-000-30-pet-pugs-year.html?ito=social-facebook

Buying a pug - help!

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