Pug
八哥犬
Updated 2026-09-09
At a glance
The Pug is a small, square, wrinkle-faced companion from ancient China whose motto is 'multum in parvo' — a lot of dog in a small space. Pugs are even-tempered, playful and outgoing, live to please and adapt to any home with minimal exercise, but they gain weight easily and, as a flat-faced breed, do poorly in heat and humidity and can have breathing and eye problems.
Facts
| Size | Small |
|---|---|
| Height | 25–33cm |
| Weight | 6.4–8.2kg |
| Life expectancy | 13–15years |
| Breed group | AKC: toy FCI: 9 |
| Role | Toy |
| Coat | Short coat |
| Shedding | 4/ 5 |
| Exercise | 30–90min/day |
| Can be left alone | up to 4 hours |
| Companionship need | 4/ 5 |
| Trainability | 4/ 5 |
| Barking | 1/ 5 |
| Good with children | 5/ 5 |
| Good with other dogs | 4/ 5 |
| Heat tolerance | 1/ 5 |
| Cold tolerance | 1/ 5 |
Health
This page is general information compiled from published sources. It is not veterinary, legal or purchase advice. Dogs vary within a breed — talk to a vet or a reputable breeder about the dog in front of you.
Health notes are not veterinary advice. Conditions listed are those reported for the breed, not a diagnosis of any dog. Always consult a veterinarian.
Hip dysplasia
Commonly reported in the breed; breeders screen hips by X-ray. Ask your vet about hip screening and about keeping your dog lean and fit.
Patellar luxation
Patellar luxation (slipping kneecaps) is commonly reported in small breeds; breeders screen for it. Ask your vet if your dog skips or holds up a hind leg.
Brachycephalic airway syndrome
As a flat-faced breed, breathing difficulties and heat intolerance are commonly reported. Ask your vet to assess breathing, keep exercise gentle in hot, humid weather and use a harness rather than a collar.
Pug dog encephalitis
Necrotising meningoencephalitis (Pug dog encephalitis) is reported in the breed; a DNA risk test exists. Ask your vet promptly about seizures or behaviour change.
Cherry eye / eyelid problems
Eyelid and tear-film problems (cherry eye, entropion, dry eye) are reported in the breed. Ask your vet if the eyes look red, sore or weepy.
Behaviour
Even-tempered charmer
The CKC describes the Pug as even-tempered, displaying playfulness, dignity and an outgoing, lovable disposition; the AKC says Pugs live to please their people and are generally easy to train, with a stable temperament and great charm.
Minimal exercise — but not none
The CKC says the Pug gets by with a minimal amount of exercise but should still exercise regularly to avoid gaining too much weight; the AKC warns that the breed's love of the sofa and of food makes obesity a real possibility, and that Pugs should stay indoors in hot or humid weather.
Energy and exercise
Energy level is rated 3/5 (moderate) on the AKC breed-trait chart. The Royal Kennel Club puts its exercise need at "up to 1 hour per day".
Training and barking
AKC trait chart: trainability 4/5, barking level 1/5. Individual dogs vary; early socialisation and reward-based training are recommended for every breed.
Official guidance
Summaries of official documents are ours; the source is linked. Breed standards, laws and licensing rules change — check the issuing body for the current version.
American Kennel Club — Pug
Breed overview, breed-trait chart, history, official standard summary and health notes from the AKC and the national parent club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
Canadian Kennel Club — Pug (Toy Dogs)
Origin, temperament, activity level, height/weight, coat and grooming as described by the Canadian Kennel Club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
The Royal Kennel Club — Pug
Breed characteristics (size small, exercise up to 1 hour per day, lifespan over 10 years).
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
FCI nomenclature — Pug (standard no. 253, group 9)
FCI breed nomenclature entry with the official breed standard PDF in English, French, German and Spanish.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
What owners say
Owner advice is quoted from public community posts and reflects those owners' opinions, not PocketPaw's position. It is unverified and not a substitute for professional advice. Each item links to where it was said.
“The parent club says that like all brachycephalic breeds Pugs are sensitive to heat and humidity, most are house dogs not used to being outside in the heat, and owners should keep them cool and offer plenty of water; it also notes Pugs are food-motivated and prone to obesity, and recommends hip, eye, patella and PDE DNA screening for breeding stock.”
— Pug Dog Club of America — About the Pug / health via breed clubWorldwide2026-09-09
Sources
- [1]Pug — Dog Breed Information — American Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [2]Pug — Choosing a Breed — Canadian Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [3]Pug — Breeds A to Z — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [4]Pug — FCI standard no. 253 — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [5]How do I help my dog adjust to spending time alone? — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [6]Incidence and risk factors for heat-related illness (heatstroke) in UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016 (Hall, Carter & O'Neill, Scientific Reports 10:9128) — Nature / Scientific Reports (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [7]About the Pug — Pug Dog Club of America — Pug Dog Club of America — About the Pug / health (Accessed 2026-09-09)
Still have questions?
Ask owners on the PawMunity forum — every breed has its own board.
Breed data compiled by PocketPaw from the sources credited on each entry. Text and layout © 2026 NextPath Solutions Limited. Please link to a page rather than copying it.