If you are interested only in information regarding breeding pugs, click here.

Pugs can suffer from many genetic disorders.  They need an owner who is well informed and aware of how to recognize the symptoms of these illnesses/disorders and be willing to seek treatment right away. 

Some of these disorders have to do with the pug's head structure - their flat faces - which can cause breathing difficulties.  The pug's eyes bulge somewhat, add to that their lack of a long snout, and you can understand how easily a pug's eyes can get scratched or injured.  Here are some of the other health concerns:

• Slipped stifles (or kneecaps)

• Hip Dysplasia

• Narrow or restricted nostrils

• Elongated soft palate

• Cataracts (eye disorder)

• Dry eyes (eye disorder)

• Demodectic mange

• Encephalitis

• Progressive Retinal Atrophy (eye disorder)

• Entropion (eyelid disorder)

• Trichiasis (eyelash disorder)

Visit http://www.eyevet.org/ for more information on eye related disorders.

Pugs are Brachycephalic, along with Boxers, Boston Terriers, Bulldogs, and other breeds with the "pushed in" faces.  To read more about the conditions that can be related to Brachycephalic breeds, visit the Mar Vista Animal Medical Center web site.

You will also find information about Demodectic mange at the Mar Vista Animal Medical Center web site.

Breeding - Are you interested in a dog that you will be able to breed?  I would not suggest a pug.  Pugs have a high incidence of C-sections.  This means that having a litter of pug puppies can be quite expensive.  If your pug requires a C-section, she may not be able or willing to properly care for her puppies and this means YOU will have to do it.  You will have to be prepared to bottle feed formula to the puppies and keep them warm for at least several days.  Do you work?  Even if everything goes smoothly with the delivery, a first time mother should be watched over to make sure she is able to take care for her puppies and will not injure them or abandon them.  You may have to take time off work.  Will your employer be understanding?...Most will not.  Can you afford to take the time off work?  Of course, we all hope that the puppies will all be born healthy, but sometimes they are not.  This means more vet expense, and a sick puppy could require even more time away from work.  To make a long story short...if you think it will be all "fun and games" or a way to make a lot of money, you're wrong.

Of course, there are those out there who successfully and responsibly breed pugs.  If after reading everything above, you still feel that you are interested in breeding  pugs, I suggest that you do the following -

• Find a mentor, an experienced Pug breeder, to talk to and to support you.

• Go to dog shows and talk to even more Pug breeders and see just what a Pug that meets the AKC breed standard looks like.  If you do get into breeding, you will want to only breed Pugs that will pass along the best traits of the Pug breed.  That should be your goal...to strengthen and preserve the breed.

• Study.  Read books and more books.  Your mentor should be able to suggest reading material that will help you.

• Consider showing your pugs before breeding them.  By doing this you will "prove" your dogs quality.  You will also develop relationships with other breeders, people who can serve as a support network when you have questions about pedigrees, vets, health concerns, and the best ways to place your puppies in good homes.

• Make sure you do your research into the backgrounds of the dogs you intend to breed.  Make sure that they have a sound health history.  You do not want to breed a dog that may carry a genetic disorder that will be passed on to the puppies.  

• If one of your dogs does develop an illness that is hereditary, be responsible and spay or neuter.