FAQ About Pugs/Guide to Buying Pugs

Pug Health Problems?

Some sources list a lot of potential health problems with pugs. We have had pugs for over 12 years, and have had very few health problems. Our pugs all enjoy good health. Pugs are generally easy to care for, at least that has been our experience. In addition, if we had a dog with health issues that could be passed on to the offspring, we would not use it for breeding. Of course our dogs all get regular shots and worming, and are fed a good healthy feed.

Pugs can have breathing problems due to their short and restricted nasal passages. This can cause them problems in cold and heat. Pugs generally tend to make some noise when they breathe at times. They sometimes snore when they sleep, and they may even sound like they have a slight case of the sniffles at times, but we haven't had any breathing problems with any of our dogs.Pugs can have eye problems because their eyes protrude. The only problem we have ever had is a scratched eye from them playing together too rough. We have heard of pugs eyes popping out, but we have never had that happen. Some pugs eyes protrude more than others, and that is something you can look for when you shop for a puppy, if it is a concern.

We have also heard of pugs having hip problems, but we have never had any problem with that, either. We have all of our puppies checked by our vet before we let them go, and that is one of the things our vet looks at.

One of the things that unfortunately happens sometimes in the dog raising business is that money becomes the deciding factor, and overrides health concerns. We will not breed a dog that has any health problems that could endanger it's health by having puppies, or if it has a problem that could be passed on to it's offspring. We’re not saying that we are better than anyone else, because we know many breeders do the same. But there are those who don't, and that's partly why some health problems occur.

We don't mean to sound like our dogs are perfect, but we can honestly say that our dogs have been generally healthy, aside from the normal dog issues like fleas, etc.

Deposits/Refunds?

We don't usually refund deposits just because someone changed their mind. Our reason for this is not that we want to take your money, but to discourage people who are not fully committed to getting a puppy. Some people will send a deposit to hold a puppy, just so it's available if they decide they really want it. In the mean while we are turning other buyers away, which is not fair to them. If a buyer decides not to take their puppy when it is ready to go, we have the time and expense of advertising the puppy again

When we receive your deposit we take your puppy off of the market, and tell other people who are looking for a puppy that it’s not available. So they have to try to find a puppy somewhere else.

We don't refuse to give a refund if someone has a major unexpected event in their lives that makes getting the puppy impossible for some reason. But that is an entirely different circumstance than just changing your mind.

Can I Get Pick of the Litter?

You are welcome to pick your puppy. In fact, you will usually get to select your puppy from the puppies that are still here when you pick yours up. It's hard to promise someone first pick of the puppies, when we don't know when everyone will get here to pick up their puppies. We don't have a problem with it, provided you are the first to get here when they are ready. We can't hold the other buyers off waiting for one buyer to get here. Also, although most of our buyers are from out of town and don't come see the puppies till they come to pick theirs up, we sometimes have local buyers, who may choose to come and pick out a puppy when they are four or five weeks old. We would be glad to let people pick their puppies in the order they placed their orders, but it doesn't always work out that way. Hope that makes sense to you.

If you are looking for a pug for breeding purposes, and want to pick your puppy for that reason, let us know. We generally sell our pugs as pets, but can sometimes provide breeding quality pugs.

Tips for pug raising?

Pugs are easy to care for. Good feed, basic training, regular shots and vaccinations, and lots of love (which they will return!) are the basic requirements. Most pugs don't have any major health issues, at least ours haven't. They are smart dogs and eager to please, so we have not found them hard to train. Housebreaking is usually the major issue with puppies, and we can give you some tips on that. Also, puppies will chew on something, so you need to provide things for them to chew on.

Puppies do have a strong urge to chew. In fact they need to chew to help develop their teeth. We have had good success with giving them an old shoe or slipper, if you have one around. Sometimes they will fall in love with a particular stuffed toy. We have also given them a bone from a roast or ham. They will love that! You want it to be a big bone, not something small that could get stuck in their mouth or throat. And if they start to get splinters off of it, you will want to take it away from them.

Oftentimes giving them something else to chew on will solve the problem of them chewing on no-no's. But sometimes they keep going back to something that they like to chew on that is off limits, and some discipline may be needed to break the habit. You don't need to hurt them, just get their attention and show them you are serious. Pugs are smart and learn fast. Our experience is that often if you catch them in the act and discipline them one time, in the future all you have to do is say "NO" firmly to get them to stop. It can really be comical sometimes when you catch them in the act of being naughty. They will quickly try to act innocent and start chasing their tail or doing something else as though to say, "I'm being good!"

We do not housebreak our puppies before we let them go. They have a rug at one end of their crate, and newspapers on the other end, and they naturally tend to go take care of business on the newspaper. But they are not housebroken. However, they are at the ideal age to respond to training, and to bond with their human "family".

Puppy Shipping?

We do not ship our puppies. We are not willing to put them through that trauma. If you are too far away to drive, you could fly here and get your puppy, and take him back with you on the plane. Most airlines let you do that with small puppies. It might not cost a whole lot more than shipping it. The nearest airports are in Richmond, VA and Raleigh, NC. We could meet you at the airport, so you wouldn't have the expense of car rentals, etc. We'd have to charge extra to cover the cost of the crate and the travel to the airport. We are 1 ½ to 2 hours from the nearest airports.

There are also pet courier services that will pick your puppy up and bring it to you.

Registration/Pedigree?

All of our pugs are AKC registered. We provide the AKC registration forms for you to register your puppy with AKC, if you choose to. We also have the pedigree from AKC on most of our dogs. We sell our puppies as pets, not breeding stock, unless you specifically request breeding stock.

Payment Options?

We request that you pay for your puppy with cash when you come to pick your puppy up. We will have the AKC registration papers and his health record ready for you. He will have had his first shots, and have been checked by our vet to make sure he is healthy in every way. We recommend you have your vet check him also, just for your own satisfaction.

Feed?

We start our puppies on Old Roy puppy feed. That is the dry feed that comes in a bag. We just soak it in water to soften it, and they eat it just fine. They will soon begin to eat it dry, and you can stop soaking it probably in two or three weeks. Old Roy is not a high-priced brand, but we have tried different brands of puppy feed over the years, and they seem to start eating this quicker and do real well on it. You can switch over to another brand if you want to. Just mix the two kinds of feed, and gradually increase the amount of the new feed in the mix over a period of a few days.

Picking a Pug?

We encourage you to do your research on different breeds and their characteristics, and to select a breed of dog that will be the best fit for you. We have observed that when someone has had a pug, they often look for another pug when they lose it.

We feel like the pug is a very unique breed of dog. They are very fun loving, are hardy enough to enjoy the out-of-doors, and get along great with children. They are generally a quiet dog, and don't bark at everything that moves. They will usually try to get attention from visitors, rather than barking at them. They are a smart dog, and learn quickly. They will sometimes show a will of their own, but generally are very eager to please.

The pugs are easier to care for than some breeds that have a long coat or other things that take extra care. Pugs do not generally have a lot of potential health problems. Our pugs have been free of any health problems. We always have our puppies checked by our vet before we let them go, to make sure they are genetically sound and healthy in every way.

Pugs enjoy being outdoors, but are excellent house dogs, and usually are kept indoors. They need protection from cold and hot weather. A pug can be left alone during the day, but until it is well trained you won't want to give it the run of the house all day! It will sleep a lot when it is alone and has nothing to do, and will expect (probably demand!) attention from you when you get home.

Our pugs weigh between 15 and 20 pounds full grown, and stand 11 to 12 inches tall. Our puppies are born and raised in our home, not in a kennel. We feel that we can give them better care this way, and they begin getting socialized by being in the home with us. They always get played with as they get older and more active. They are just irresistible!