There are several different dog breeds out there that you can choose from when adding to your family. One of those dog breeds is the Pug. A Pug is a smaller dog that offers intelligence, loyal and a lot of affection for their owners. Below you will learn about their history, care, training, and grooming needs to see if they will fit into your family.
The pug is originally from China. They are thought to be a cross between a Pekingese and a bulldog. You will find that the pug usually grows to ten or eleven inches and they are about fourteen to sixteen pounds. You may recognize the pug from some of the movies or commercials as they have been in quite a few. The pug was actually used in Men in Black, among others. Characteristically you will find the pug has a wide face, but a short snort, a muscular body that actually makes their head look larger, and floppy ears. They usually have a black mask around the eyes and black on the ears and some on the legs. Typically this dog breed is going to be tan, but they can be silver. They have short hair making grooming fairly easy on the owner. Grooming usually needs to be done on a daily basis for the ears, eyes and face. They tend to have eye and ear infections and the slobber can get into the folds on their face and cause skin irritations so it is really important to take a soft wet cloth to their face and ears. Their coats are short haired, which makes it easy to brush or rub down with a towel once a week to remove dead or loose hair.
As for other care they do need to have a little bit of exercise daily. They don't usually take long walks, but fifteen minutes at a time with a little playtime around the house is great. They like to play with toys for the most part. They tend to be susceptible to heatstroke so don't over exert them when they are out of doors. You will find that a healthy diet usually consists of protein, and you may want to speak with a vet about heart problems they can have. They tend to have genetic issues related to heart disease and therefore may need special diets.
The pug can be a jealous dog, which means they don't do well in households with small children who require a lot of care. In fact the pug would rather have all of the attention. So it is important that they go through obedience training as well as socialization training. They can be extremely happy, friendly, and loyal dogs. The pugs are also sensitive to voice changes. This means that they tend to exhibit the emotions around them and can feel despair. The pug should never be aggressive or shy, but constantly happy. If they are not left alone for several hours each day or while you are on vacation they will definitely continue the happy life. When you train these dogs it is important that you use a gentle, but firm hand. Consistency is going to be the key to this dogs training as well. They can be a little lazy so some times you may mistake laziness for intelligence. Just keep in mind that diligence as a part of training will be most successful.
With the many dog breeds that exist it can be a hard decision to make, but you should know that pugs are wonderful in households with older generations as well as a one pet family.
The Right Dog Breed Quiz
The name, Basset Hound, derives from the word ?bas?, which means low in French. Many believe this dog is a genetic dwarf and were actually born from other litters of French hounds. It is a direct descendant of the bloodhound. This breed has been a round for a very long time. At a Paris dog show in 1863 is the first showing of this breed. It very quickly became popular in England. There was a debate that arose about which class it should remain in. The split revolved around whether keep it as a hunting dog or change it to a companion dog. American breeders were already developing a breed that would maintain the hunting dog characteristics but be a companion dog. Because of their slow pace basset hounds are very good for those who hunt while on foot. They are social and can either hunt alone or in a pack. The first time that the Westminster Kennel Club showed a basset was in 1884, The Basset Hound Club of America was created in 1935.
The AKC formerly recognized the basset hound in 1885 and classified it in the hound class. These dogs are to be between 12-15 inches in height for the male, the female is a little smaller at 11-14 inches. The females weigh a little less also. Their ideal weight is between 45-60 pounds and the male is 50-60 pounds. They have a life span that ranges from 10 to 12 years.
The body of the basset is well proportioned to be able to go over difficult terrain while following a trail. The bone is heavier in their short legs than any other dog breed. A lot of people think of these dogs as a little clumsy. The truth is their movements are very deliberate. The chest should be full and deep and the head is large yet very proportioned.
The elbows and shoulders in this breed will be close to the sides of the chest. The back is well extended and should be smooth and long. A full and round hindquarter is a must.
In normal hound fashion the tail should have a slight curve and be a continuation of the spine, no docking of the tail is necessary. There are no real specifics in color. Any generally accepted hound color is adequate. When being shown the distributions of colorings and markings hold no bearing.
The temperament of this breed is tranquil. They are well behaved, and have a gentle, devoted disposition. With this type of personality traits they are ideal for family life. The may be laid back but do not confuse it for being timid. They are a bit stubborn but are very loving with their owners and gentle with children. They can be trained to be quite obedient but if they find and interesting smell to track, getting their attention may prove to be difficult. The basset has a deep melodious bark.
Because of their low spine and short legs it is important to not allow them to get overweight. That will put to much pressure on their spines. This heavy long body may cause paralysis or lameness. Feeding them in small portions a few times a day is the best way to help alleviate bloating which is common in the breed.
They will do very well in a variety of living styles. The ideal situation is a house with a small yard so it can run and play. It will also do well in an apartment, as their indoor behavior is not rambunctious. Just make sure you are able to included regular exercise in its routine.
They are shorthaired and require regular brushing. They do shed constantly and may not be good for allergy suffers. Only shampoo them when really necessary. Make sure their nails remain trimmed. Their long ears prevent air from getting in so it is important that you clean them weekly.
Both Gerry Ronson & Lee Dobbins - are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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