Overview
The Pug is an old companion breed, bred for emperors and never for work, and it shows. Pugs are sociable, comical and happy at a stroll, and they love people more than most dogs do. They also love food, which is why so many are heavier than they should be.
The flat face is the thing a walker has to plan around. Breathing is noisy at rest and laboured under effort, and the breed cannot cool itself well. Pugs do need walks, for their weight and their mood, but the walks are short, slow and in the cool.
Exercise and walking needs
Two walks of twenty minutes a day cover most adults, taken at the dog's pace with lots of sniffing. Pugs enjoy being out and meeting people; what they do not enjoy is being hurried. Watch for the dog slowing down and respect it.
Heat is the limit. On warm days walk early or late, stay in shade, carry water and be prepared to cut things short at the first sign of laboured breathing. An overweight Pug on a warm day is at real risk.
On the walk
- Breathing: Snorting is normal. Loud rasping, gums going pale or blue, or a dog that stops and will not move are emergencies: cool the dog and ring the owner.
- Pulling: Minimal, but always use a harness. The neck and eyes of a Pug should never take pressure from a collar.
- Other dogs: Friendly and curious, with no sense of its own size. Keep an eye on it around boisterous big dogs.
- Eyes: Prominent and easily scratched. Keep the dog out of brambles and long, stiff grass, and mention any redness in the report.
- Food: A Pug will eat anything it finds. Watch the ground and keep the treats small.
Tips for professional walkers
- Plan walks for the coolest part of the day in summer and never on hot pavements.
- Carry water and offer it often; Pugs do not regulate temperature well.
- Walk on a harness, never a collar alone.
- Keep routes flat and short, and let the dog potter; the sniffing is the exercise.
- Clean the face folds after a wet walk if the owner asks, and note anything you see in the eyes.
What to ask the owner
- Has the dog had airway surgery, and what has the vet said about exercise and heat?
- Is the dog on a weight plan, and what treats are allowed?
- Any eye problems or fold care routines you should follow?
- At what temperature should the walk be shortened or cancelled?