Dog Adoption: Consider the Pug

an Overview of the Advantages and Disadvantages to Pug Adoption

Each year, millions of American families consider dog adoption. As part of a growing debate, breeders continue to facilitate the birth of full blood canine litters each year only to leave millions of dogs in rescue shelters, unadopted by families who choose to adopt a fully bred dog instead. Of these canine full breeds, many families consider dog adoption through a breeder due to the readily available dog health and familial history. Both dog breeders as well as family's simply looking to involve in pet adoption, the Pug has long been one such top selected canine breed.

Of Chinese decent, Pugs are a uniquely full bred dog with a long royal history. From China to England, the Pug has always been regarded as a somewhat arrogant creature, confident in his position of life. A very happy and "go lucky" dog, the Pug has found a place in dog society among the elite. While the disposition is playful, the Pug can also be arrogant and demanding requiring a great deal of time and attention for play. With these two extremes, the Pug provides for many days of enjoyment and, as a general rule, is considered well tempered.

When considering the adoption of a Pug, there are unique physical characteristics which mark this breed of dog as original and full blood. Such canine markings include a large, round shaped head with dark, round eyes with a black nose, square and blunt to the face. The Pug, when full grown, will weigh no more than 18 to 20 pounds with a frame that is square and stately accompanied by black, soft, thin ears.

Caring for a Pug is rather simple in that the Pug rarely suffers from life threatening or costly health complications. With a short and glossy coat, the Pug requires bathing once every six months so as to remove dead skin, oil and debris which has coated into the skin. However, brushing the coat, on a regular basis, is recommended. For families who reside in areas with humid or extremely hot temperatures, special care should be taken to allow the Pug to avoid such climate extremes. With a nose that is short and blunt, the Pug may find great difficulty in regulating body temperature.