Pug

Guides for your Pug

The story behind the Pug

The breed originated in China, where small flat-faced companion dogs were kept by the imperial court and by Buddhist monasteries, with related types described over a very long period. Dutch traders are generally credited with bringing examples to Europe in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, where the Pug became associated with the House of Orange and then spread among European nobility. British and continental breeders refined the modern appearance during the nineteenth century, and further imports from China after the sacking of the Summer Palace influenced type and colour. Breed clubs formed in Britain and the United States in the later nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The Pug has remained a popular companion breed internationally ever since, and contemporary breeding discussion increasingly focuses on moderating facial and body proportions to improve the dogs' comfort and function.

Originally bred for: Companion dog, court and lap dog, household companion. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.

Feeding a Pug

Portion control matters more here than food type. Use a measured complete diet, weigh meals rather than eyeballing them, and account for every treat, since even small excesses show fast on a compact frame. Flat-faced dogs often manage shallow bowls and slower eating more comfortably.

Watch for: No single ingredient sensitivity defines the breed, though wrinkled, short-coated dogs with itchy skin are sometimes investigated for food allergy alongside environmental causes. Skin fold irritation is usually hygiene-related. A vet should direct any elimination diet and rule out other explanations first.

Not sure what to put in the bowl? See our picks for the best dog food for small breeds.

Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.

Living with a Pug

Day to day, the basics matter most: how much exercise your dog needs, how often to get out for a walk, and how much sleep is normal.

For play and enrichment, browse our favorite dog toys and interactive toys for rainy days.

Gear that fits the breed makes life easier: a well-sized dog bed, a comfortable no-pull harness.

Raising a puppy? Work through crate training and the teething timeline — or see how old your dog is in human years with our dog age calculator.