Pugs are cute, loving and affectionate. They are wonderful companions and very loyal friends. But they are not for everyone. Here are some things you should know before you take home your first Pug.

Pugs are stubborn
Pugs are usually very stubborn. If they want a treat or a certain toy, they will cry about it until they get it…It’s as simple as that! Some might refer to Pugs as “needy”, but a better description would probably be “childlike”. They want what they want when they want it!

Pugs are tons of fun!
Pugs are lots of fun and they love doing silly things in order to get your attention. Most Pugs don’t even mind parading around in crazy outfits, and that’s probably why some call them ”the clowns of the animal kingdom”.

Pugs are intelligent Pugs are a lot more intelligent than they look (Thank God!) and they are fast learners when it comes to things that excite them. For instance, figuring out how to get to the cookies on the table is usually a piece of cake for any Pug. They are also fast learners when it comes to figuring out how to best get your attention. Some say that Pugs are hard to train, and sure, some Pugs might be. However, with a healthy portion of patience from you and lots of yummy treats, Pugs can learn lots of great tricks. Pugs snore Pugs make lots of weird noises, due to their small nose and flat face. Almost all Pugs snore and while some consider this to be kind of charming, others might find it annoying. To be completely honest, if you have trouble sleeping you might be better off buying some other breed.

Pugs both snort and fart
Due to their button-nose, Pugs also tend to snort a lot. But as long as your Pug breathes without any problems, the snorting is normal. Pugs also tend to pass lots of gas. Ever heard of Weapons of Mass Destruction? You will if you decide to get a Pug!

Pugs are “people dogs”
In similarity to some being “dog persons”, Pugs are “people dogs”. They love humans and the attention they get from their two-legged friends.

Pugs shred!
Don’t let a Pug’s short soft coat fool you! Pugs do shed tons of hair!

Pugs are NOT outdoorsy dogs
Pugs are really vulnerable when it comes to both heat and cold. Most dogs have a long nose which they use to cool their bodies. Pugs do not have this, which means that they basically don’t have any way of regulating their body temperature. As a result they can easily overheat. (Pugs can even succumb by being out less then half an hour on a hot and humid summer day).

Your Pug, your shadow
Pugs love to be close to the people they love, so if you like being alone sometimes or have the couch all to yourself – a Pug is definitely not for you! Pugs tend to follow “their people” everywhere and if you are sitting on the couch, your Pug probably doesn’t just want to sit next to you. If he can and if you let him, he will soon be sitting on top of you. While some people love this, others might soon find it rather annoying.

Pugs do need special care
Pugs do not really need much daily care, but with all the wrinkles a Pug’s face does need special attention. Pugs are very curious creatures and they tend to stick their tiny nose where it does not belong. As a result, dirt easily gets into the wrinkles, so cleaning them regularly is simply a must! The wrinkles also tend to attract and hold moisture, which can cause itching, irritation and sometimes even nasty infections. But don’t worry; it is easy to clean the wrinkles. Just take a soft tissue and clean them on a regular basis (some Pugs might need their wrinkles wiped daily).

Pugs are NOT great guard dogs
Looking for a dog to guard your house? Don’t get a Pug. A Pug might bark and alert you if somebody is coming, but Pugs in general are not really watch dogs. The risk of your Pug licking the burglar to death is probably bigger than the chance that he actually scares him off.

A Pug is a big dog in a small body
Even though Pugs are quite small, they are very seldom “nervous barkers”. In fact, Pugs are by and large stabile, even-tempered dogs full of playfulness, charm and dignity.

Pugs & kids
Most Pugs love kids. However, some Pugs don’t seem to know how strong they really are so they can easily knock over smaller kids in their hunt for affection. As always, you should never leave your children playing unsupervised with a dog – and this goes for Pugs too.