Pugs are warm, funny, intensely companionable dogs who also happen to carry significant health burdens as a direct consequence of their physical structure. Owning one well means understanding what their body does and doesn't do naturally — and making choices that compensate for it.
Breathing: The Central Issue
Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) affects most Pugs to some degree. Narrow nostrils, elongated soft palate, and narrowed trachea combine to restrict airflow. Signs range from mild snoring to laboured breathing in warm weather or during exercise. A Pug that breathes loudly all the time is not "just how they are" — it's a dog working hard to breathe. Ask your vet to assess breathing quality at their first appointment and annually thereafter.
Practical consequences: Pugs cannot tolerate heat. A 28°C day that a Labrador handles easily can be life-threatening to a Pug who exercises. Keep walks to early morning and late evening in summer. Carry water. Never leave them in a warm car. Know the signs of heatstroke — excessive panting, drooling, collapse — and act immediately.
Eyes: Prominent and Vulnerable
Pug eyes are large and protrude beyond the orbital socket in a way that most breeds' eyes do not. This makes them vulnerable to injury, dryness, ulceration, and in severe cases — proptosis (eye popping out of the socket during trauma or vigorous restraint). Check eyes daily for redness, discharge, or cloudiness. Wipe gently with a damp cotton pad. Any injury to the eye warrants same-day vet assessment.
Skin Folds Need Daily Attention
The characteristic facial folds trap moisture and debris, creating ideal conditions for bacterial and yeast infections. Wipe between all folds daily with a dry or lightly damp cloth. Signs of infection: redness, smell, the dog scratching at their face. This is also true of the corkscrew tail — many Pugs have deep skin pockets at the tail base that require regular cleaning.
Common Health Conditions
- BOAS: As above — surgical correction (widening nostrils, trimming soft palate) significantly improves quality of life in moderate to severe cases. Worth assessing early.
- Pug Dog Encephalitis (PDE): A rare but devastating inflammatory brain disease specific to the breed. No test currently predicts it. Signs: seizures, circling, behaviour changes. Usually appears in young adult dogs.
- Obesity: Pugs love food and cannot exercise intensely enough to compensate. A fat Pug breathes worse, overheats faster, and develops joint problems. Measure food precisely. Treats should be tiny.
- Hip dysplasia and leg problems: Common, exacerbated by excess weight.
Pug Care Summary
- No exercise in heat — morning and evening only in summer.
- Clean facial folds and tail pocket daily.
- Check eyes daily; any redness or injury → vet same day.
- Keep weight lean — this single factor affects breathing, joints, and lifespan.
- Ask vet to formally assess airway at each annual check.
Track your Pug's health calendar, eye care reminders, and weight on the Woofio Pug care page.