The Breed That Captured My Heart

Living with pugs for the last 22 years has taught me much about this lovable breed. While I’ve had other dogs including the Brittany Spaniel, Cocker Spaniel, and Lhasa Apso, nothing quite prepared me for the pug. From the time I saw a magazine photo of a pug perched proudly on a rock decades ago to witnessing a one-pug parade strutting down my street in an Austin neighborhood in the 1990s, I was smitten.

How could this tiny, fur ball that stands maybe 12 inches from the ground project such panache? A confident goofball? Sign me up. It wasn’t until several years later that we took the plunge into the world of pug, never to leave. Short in stature with a personality that can fill a room, the pug is a species unto itself.

Characteristics of the Pug

While each pug is different, there are some common behavioral characteristics. Originally bred in China to be companion dogs for emperors, i.e., lap dogs, and kept in Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, the pug is the ultimate best friend. Follow you around the house? Affirmative. Sleep at your feet? You bet. While they will occasionally venture off to a quiet spot in the house to snooze, by and large, the pug wants to be near you.

Charming & Loveable

The moment you sit on the ground, expect the pug to climb aboard. They will sleep atop extension cords, shoes, and cardboard. Taking too long to make breakfast? You may get barked at, politely, of course. Scratch them behind the ears and listen to the “pug purr” as they melt your heart with those big eyes. When it’s time for belly rubs (and frankly, all 24 hours of the day is good belly rub time), they will eagerly roll onto their backs waiting to be lavished with attention.

What, Me Mischievous? 

One consequence of the pug’s spirit of adventure is to engage in activities that may not be in their best interest. Whether it’s harassing bees in the garden (at one point I thought a colony of Africanized bees had taken up residence in our backyard) or challenging a 12-point buck in the greenbelt, the pug’s antics will either compel you to rush to their defense or praise them with “that’s my girl.” What they lack in height, they make up in charisma..

Excellent Work Ethic

For the pug, all activities cease once someone opens that glorious appliance called the refrigerator. Rather than stating the obvious - that pugs are obsessed with food, this attribute can be characterized as just exhibiting a fabulous work ethic. If a store employee rewarded your pug with a morsel back in 2020, the pug will work tirelessly to repeat this event. Even to the point of pulling you to the cashier immediately upon entering the store.

The Antics Of Pugs

Often described as the clown of the dog world, the pug is a different kind of dog. While a pug will bark when someone rings the doorbell, they are probably not top of mind when it comes to being a guard dog. However, are they ever charming. Resting their rump on the curb, leaning against a wall with back legs hyperextended, or climbing into a flower pot is not out of the ordinary. Neither is sitting in a yard and staring off into space. Younger pugs will do “zoomies” around the room when excited, running as fast as they can in a circular fashion.

Snorts, Grunts & Sneezes

Pugs have a lot to say. If they disapprove of something and that list can be long (miscalculating the placement of the curb or they can’t find you in the house or dinner is late), they may let out a big snort. Not sharing your food? Snort. Trying to return home when walking the pug on a gorgeous day? Snort. Pugs also grunt when they find an activity is disagreeable. It is generally a continuous monologue of grunts strung together. Taking a walk on a really cold day? Grunt…grunt…grunt. On the flip side, if the pug is super excited or proud of their accomplishment, you may hear a big sneeze of approval as he or she waltzes into the kitchen for a treat.

This companion dog is sweet, amusing and adorable - a great friend. Looking back I wonder how I ever survived the major events in my life without one. Whether it is pug socks or a pug coffee cup, I am enamored of all things pug. Yes, they snore and can be, how shall we say, "eccentric", but I wouldn’t have it any other way.