Are you thinking of getting a pug puppy?

Important things that you should consider...

Once in a while, we may be surprised by rescuing a pug that turns out to be pregnant. When that happens, we will usually look for adopters to take on the puppies once they have been born and are ready to go on to their forever homes. What if you’ve absolutely set your heart on bringing a puppy into your life and you’re unable to find one at a rescue? Probably the best thing to do would be to find a reputable breeder. If you choose this route, it’s important to look for one that is accredited, to avoid inheriting any complications that you may not be prepared for. There are many breeders to be found advertising puppies that may not be as ethical as they may seem, so be sure to do your research and choose wisely.

When you meet a prospective puppy for the first time, it’s often a case of ‘love at first sight’ and all reason and caution may well go out of the window. Try to avoid falling into this state and be sure to ask all the relevant questions before making any lasting commitments!

Questions to ask a breeder

If a breeder is responsible and experienced, they should be happy to answer questions such as the following:

How long have you been involved with the breed?

Do you show?

Are the parents KC registered?

Is the puppy KC registered?

Can I meet the parents?

Generally, what health issues can pugs suffer from?

Pug Health Issues

Pugs can suffer from all kinds of health issues, so ensuring the parents of your prospective puppy are in good health and from good lineage is very important. In recent years, more and more pug puppies (along with other breeds of dogs) are being imported from puppy farms in places such as Ireland and Eastern Europe. Many of these puppies arrive in poor health and carry hereditary health issues. Hereditary issues for the pug include hemivertebrae, encephalitis (PDE), degenerative myelopathy (CDRM), primary lens luxation and pyruvate kinase deficiency (PKD). If a breeder is responsible and experienced, they should be happy to answer questions, such as the following:

Are any of these conditions found in your lines?

Are the parents fully health tested and can you show me proof?

What support do you as a breeder offer?

How many dogs do you have?

How and where are they kept?

How often do you breed?

How many litters has the mother had?

What are my obligations as a purchaser?

Does this breed need any special care or attention?

Temperament wise, how would you describe your dogs and your lines in general?

How do you socialise your puppies?

Socialising

Taking on a pug puppy is a big commitment and you should do extensive research before going ahead. There are proper and improper ways to socialise dogs, so this is an important area to consider. Asking further questions of the breeder will help you to determine their credibility:

How do you recommend I socialise my puppy when he/she is home?

What are the positives and negatives of the breed?

What are the good things about the parents?

What are the bad things?

Be thorough...

This will help you to avoid potential problems in the future. Don’t be afraid to ask if you can check the breeder’s affix with the Kennel Club to ensure it’s legitimate. Also check the parents’ pedigrees. You should see the mother and puppies together in all cases. If the father does not live with the breeder, you may also like to check up/contact its owner, and ask the same questions.

Please note that all of the advice here is of a general nature, you should always be sure to do your own research before making any decisions.