Read This Before You Get a Pug!

Before you adopt a PugBefore you make any important decision in your life, you should always do some research beforehand. Adding a new dog to your household is not a small decision. You’re taking on the responsibility of owning and caring for another living being. Unfortunately a lot of people forget this and end up getting a dog without knowing what they are getting themselves into.

Do your research on the breed

Different dog breeds need different things. For example, larger dogs need more exercise while smaller dogs can’t handle as much activity. So before you pick a dog breed, write down a list of what you want out of a dog.

Start by asking yourself these type of questions:

  • Do I want a large or small dog?
  • Do I want an active and energetic dog?
  • Do I want a dog that will just sit on my lap all day and watch TV with me?
  • Is the particular breed good with kids?
  • How much grooming is required for this type of dog?

Another thing you need to factor in your decision making is whether or not you can afford the dog. Food is not the only expense you will spending. Consider the cost of veterinary expenses, chew toys, food, grooming products, taxes and fees, unexpected health problems. If you own your own home, some home insurance companies add a fee for larger breeds. Can you actually afford to own a dog?

Once you figure out the breed and are sure that you can afford the dog, take inconsideration the responsibilities that come with owning a dog. Are you prepared for the housetraining, behavior training, grooming, etc? Pugs are not the easiest breed to take care of. Do you have the time to provide the Pug with everything he needs to be a healthy and happy dog?

To help you out on making the decision on whether a Pug is the right breed for you and your family, check out these articles

So to sum up here are the questions you need to ask yourself before you decide if getting a Pug is a good idea for you:

  • Is the Pug breed right for you?
  • Can you afford the dog?
  • Are you ready for the responsibilities that come with owning a dog?

Once you have answers to these questions, you’re ready to bring home a puppy. Now before you rush off to the pet store, be warned that pet stores are the last place you want to get a puppy from. Instead you should look into adopting or finding a reputable breeder.

Decide if you want to adopt a Pug or purchase one

Alright, so you’re finally ready. You did your research and found out exactly what it takes to own a Pug so now it’s time to decide where you will look for your new buddy. There are cons and pros to both, but it really just comes down to what you look for.

Rescuing a Pug

rescue a PugThe most obvious benefit is that you won’t be spending hundreds of dollars on purchasing a puppy. Most rescues shelters only charge a small fee to cover the vaccination and if you’re rescuing from a dog owner, then often times you can get the dog for free.

Not only do you end up saving yourself a lot of money but you also end up saving a dog that’s in need of a new home. A lot of the dogs that are given up rescue shelters come from owners that love their dogs but for whatever reason (money problems, moving, not enough time) can’t keep their dogs anymore. The good news is that many of them already have been housetrained.

Don’t assume that there is something wrong with the dogs that are given up for rescue. People that work there make sure that the dogs are mentally and physically ready for a new home. They care about those dogs and will go out of their way to find a good match for them.

Benefits of adopting

  • Costs a lot less
  • Most dogs have had some sort of training
  • You get to see the exact personality type of the adult Pugs
  • You are proving a home for a dog that needs one

Purchasing from a breeder

If you still want to purchase a puppy from a breeder then you will have to do a bit more research. There are lot of people that breed healthy dogs and do it because they love their dogs. Those are the breeders you need to look for.

Many times they will have a waiting list, which is both good and bad. It’s good because you know there is a demand for their puppies and they don’t overbreed their dogs just to make more money, but at the same time it could mean that you might have to wait a few months before you can get one of their puppies.

Bad breeders and puppy mills

Do your research when picking out a dog breeder. Some are not who they claim they are and are breeding their dogs just for profit. They don’t care about the wellbeing of their dogs and will do whatever it takes to save some money for a bigger profit. Many times the dogs live in horrible conditions and suffer from abuse. The puppies you get from these places are usually far from healthy. Many people don’t realize this and get fooled by the pretty looking pictures on their websites.

Spend some time talking to the breeder to learn more about how they breed their dogs. A reputable breeder would want to learn about you as well to make sure that their puppies are going to a safe home. Puppy mills don’t care what ends up to their dogs as long as they get paid and will sell their dogs to anyone without asking any questions. If they seem to have puppies available all year long, and they breed multiple popular dog breeds then most likely it’s a puppy mill.

Where to look for a Pug

By now you should be fully prepared to find the Pug of your dreams. Here are some places on where you can start looking for that dog that you always wanted.

Newspaper – I’m not sure how many people read newspapers these days anymore, but it could be worth a look at the classified ads to find a local dog breeder.

Online – Lots of breeders and rescues have their own websites now. You can also check out classifieds like craigslist, dog forums and pug clubs to find breeders.

Pet store bulletin boards – Works pretty much just like a newspaper except most pet stores allow their customers to post there for free. This is a great spot to find dogs that are given up by owners that can’t keep their dogs anymore.

Dog Clubs – if there is a Pug club near you, don’t hesitate to give them a call. Chances are they won’t have a Pug puppy available themselves, but they might recommend a breeder to you.

NEXT: If you own a Pug, you NEED to know this!

8 Responses to “Read This Before You Get a Pug!”

  1. ujjwal jain says:

    I want to adopt pug dog

  2. mohit sharma says:

    I want a pug because he is love my life….i have always take care for him…

  3. Vipul says:

    I want a pug in Mumbai

  4. David says:

    Should I get a pug if I can only take care of him before and after work (around 4:30 P.M. to 8:00 A.M.)?

    • Delaney Greer says:

      Pugs don’t do well if they’re by themselves for too long, so you should probably get someone to take care of him/her while you’re at work. Maybe you could drop your pug off on your way to work, and pick him up on your way home? Hope this helps!

  5. itajuba says:

    love dogs

  6. Conlin says:

    Love the part about praise sounds. All i have to do is change the tone of my voice and my dog listens.

  7. J says:

    Thanks for all the info on pugs, I love pugs and they are so funny. Did you do one of these on border collies?

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