Are pugs demanding dogs?

[asscherisme]

I am thinking of getting a pug. My kids are dying for a dog and I grew up with a dog and thing they would reallly enjoy it (and I would too!)

However, I need a sweet, gentle, loving, non aggresive dog. In that other post about do you trust your dog fully I shared how I was attacked by a german shepard as a child and picking a breed that I would not have to worry about my kids being attacked or bitten is imporant to me.

From what I have read, pugs would be safe with kids. my kids range in age from 6 to 14.

Plus I think pugs are ADORABLE .

I also want a smallish dog and I admit its because of my expeirnece of being attacked as a child by a dog. I will never forget how terrifying it was that I could not get the strong dog off of me. So if a dog I get for my kids turns and attacks them, my kids need to be stronger than a dog I choose.

I want a dog I can trust that can be part of my family. I am a single mom so I need to choose really carefully.

Also, how would I go about finding a quality breeder? Or even a rescue pug. If I go the rescue route, I would want the pug to be under 2 or 3 years old so we would have a long time with it. But I''m leaning towards puppy.

Also, I am thinking that instead of going it alone training, would it be a good idea to sign up for some sort of training class for the pug and me?

I have read they have breathing issues and this concerns me. However, the other positives of having a gentle loving smallish safe dog are important to me.


Also, I would love to have a dog that would like to curl up with me (or the kids) if we are relaxing and reading or watching tv. I remember with my westie growing up I always wanted her to do that and she was just too full of energy and never wanted to.

And for those of you who have pugs, would you choose it again?

I grew up with a Westie and I loved that dog! However, I don''t think its a good choice for me now because she was just so hyper!

 

[elrohwen]

From my experience, pugs are pretty easy going friendly dogs. I don't know about their desire for curling up and snuggling, but all the pugs I know are sweet. Some friends have a pug/sharpie mix who is very hyper (though a nice dog) - but of course it's hard to tell if his hyperness comes from the sharpei or the pug parent.

With kids that age, I would honestly recommend just going to a rescue and seeing what they have. With slightly older dogs (6 months +) you'll have a much better idea of temperament around kids. With a shelter dog, your kids will be able to meet the dog and make sure everybody gets along. Puppies are a *ton* of work and you never know how they are going to develop. If you're ok with any personality that's fine, but if you're looking for a specific personality, you might end up in a bad situation if the puppy decides he suddenly doesn't like kids or something. With a shelter dog, what you see is what you get, generally.

 

[NovemberBride]

I have a pug mix and while he is a very snuggly, curl up in your lap dog, he also has a lot of energy and needs a lot of exercise and attention or he will get into trouble. I don't think pugs or any other dog is always a curl up and relax dog, all dogs need some exercise each day. Along those lines, I think all dogs are demanding, so I am not sure what you mean exactly there.

Ours was a rescue, and I encourage you to explore that route. He has never shown any aggression and is very loving with our baby daughter. Puppies are fun, but they take a lot of work to train, so you may want to think about whether you have the time to devote to that or if you'd be better off with a slightly older dog.

That said, we love our pug mix and I would definitely do it again.

 

[LabRatPhD]

My FI and I have a pug - we also have a German Shepherd. Our pug, Quincy, is now 4.5 years old but we have had him since he was 12 week old puppy. We got him from a reputable breeder in New York. He was the runt of the litter but has grown to be full-sized and pretty healthy. He doesn''t have any elongated palate problems that we know of. He does snore pretty loudly and often disturbs me, so he doesn''t sleep in the room with us! He does have some labored breathing. We take him on short hikes but he gets winded pretty quickly, but always wants to keep charging on. He is pretty trim though, and we intend on keeping him that way.

Pugs are great dogs with their own little personalities. He is good around children - most children find him funny because he is a snorting little ball of energy with a curly tail and a funny face. He absolutely has a mind of his own. He''ll allow affection only when he wants it and is usually in his own little world. He is protective of us and will bark at loud noises, but is not at all yappy. Our German Shepherd, Chloe, has a completely different personality. She is a total lovebug and a lot more affectionate than Quincy. Quincy does like to snuggle with us on the couch when we are watching tv.

We did puppy training with Quincy and it helped with his learning commands. He doesn''t need the same constant mental stimulation that Chloe does. I think it is a good idea to do lessons - it can teach you a lot about your dog''s personality.

I would look into a pug rescue if you do decide to go for a pug. Our local pug rescue (we''re now in Texas) often has younger dogs and even litters of puppies, however, many times they are mixed breeds. It may be harder to find a purebred pug puppy through a rescue, but I would highly encourage you to look through a rescue first.

It sounds like a pug would be a good fit for you! When Quincy passes away (I get teary thinking about that!), we will absolutely, get another pug. We love their personalities so much!

If you have any other questions, let me know!

 

[MissMina]

My friends Pug stays with us when they go out of town. She loves to cuddle and sleep under the covers. She is very good with kids and I''ve never seen her be aggressive.
She can be hyper with her owners. She jumps on visitors runs around in circles and barks every time she sees an animal on TV. But she doesn''t do any of that when she stays with me so draw your own conclusions.

 

[audball]

I can't comment on pugs, since I don't or haven't ever owned one. A co-worker of mine has two and he hates them (his wife's idea). They are total opposite personalities despite being from the same litter. One is a biter, fearless, and eats poop, the other is a fraidy-cat, barker, and also eats poop.


Maybe consider a miniature schnauzer. We just got our new baby, Molly, and she is a doll! So quirky, fun, and SO SMART! Best of all (to us) she doesn't shed. They are family oriented pets and don't generally bond to just one person, but the whole family. They are a hardy, sturdy, yet small and healthy breed.

 

[lyra]

If you get a pug, please don''t overfeed it. I see way too many obese pugs on the street. Obese little dogs in general. It leads to health issues. They can be gassy and snorty, but that is part of their appeal I think. There are always pug mixes available for adoption around where I live. That could be a viable option for you. I love pugs. It''s great that you''re willing to do the necessary training classes too. Hope to see pics after you make your decision!