One of the first times I met a pug, I couldn’t help but laugh at him. He was goofy, friendly and all-around a wonderful little creature who loved the attention thrown on him. And that is really what the breed is in a nutshell.
Known as an excellent companion breed for young and old alike, the pug is a charming breed that is full of personality. Whether they are snoring on the couch or playing a fun game of fetch, these pups will fill your life with a lot of fun and laughter.
They are truly a gem amongst breeds and there is much to learn about them. So, let’s take a look at this wonderful breed. Not only will you find things to laugh about, but you may also even realize that this is the breed you’ve wanted all along.
Funny Face: The Wonderful Appearance of the Pug
Height:
Males and Females: 10 to 13 inches (25.40 to 33.02cm)
Weight:
Males and Females: 14 to 18 pounds (6.35 to 8.16kg)
Coat Colors:
Accepted Breed Standard Colors
- Black: Solid black dog
- Fawn: Ranging from light silver fawn to dark fawn
It should be noted that pugs have a black mask on their face and ears, even black pugs, however, it is harder to notice on a black dog.
Disqualified American Breed Standard Colors
Many breed clubs, including the American Kennel Club, only accept the two colors with pugs, however, they can be found in other colors.
It should be noted that many breeders debate whether these colors are purebred or the result of other breeds being crossed into the breed. In addition, there are no “rare” colors and puppy buyers should never pay extra for these colors.
Finally, some health problems have been linked to coat color but we will cover this when we look at the health of the pug.
- Silver: A grey dog with a silver color to the coat.
- White: White dog, usually without a black mask but still has a black nose
- Merle: A coat that is mottled colors in a solid or piebald coat. Merle’s can also have miscolored eyes.
- Brindle: Black with brindling of fawn or apricot
Short, stocky and thickset are three words that describe the appearance of this small breed. They should have a square appearance to their build with their height being equal to their length.
The chest should be broad and the legs should be muscular and thick. While they are a small breed, they should not appear fragile or delicate.
The head of the pug should be large with a round shape to it. It should have large, round eyes that are always dark brown in color. Light eyes or miscolored eyes are not accepted but can be seen in some of the disqualified colors.
The muzzle of the pug should be very short. In fact, the breed is a brachiocephalic breed and should have an extremely flat muzzle.
That being said, there should be a muzzle and the lower jaw should be slightly longer, extending out more, than the upper jaw.
Teeth should have a slightly undershot bite and there are often moles on the cheeks of pugs and they should have prominent wrinkles on the face. Finally, the ears of the pug should be small that are rose or button-shaped.
Pugs should have a level topline and should be a sturdy dog. The breed should have a tail that is carried over the body and is curled tightly.
The coat of the pug should be short and it should have a smooth and soft texture to it. As mentioned above, the only accepted colors are black and fawn, however, in some countries, apricot is another accepted color.