We are excited to share exclusive, expert insights from Petland Iowa City's "Positively Petland" segment, where Doug Wagner and Ron Soulsrud, long-time authorities in the pet industry, discuss the history and unique characteristics of the incredible Pug. As the seasons change and we prepare for the cool-downs of autumn, it’s a wonderful time to learn about falling for these furry friends!

The Pug was featured as the Breed of the Week, a breed that truly stands out. A long time ago, The Gazette published an article differentiating between "dog owners" and "pug owners," suggesting that Pugs are almost a different species due to their unique nature.

Pugs are known for their striking physical traits: a fine coat, a curled tail, bulky muscle, and that famously wrinkly face. Their colors are typically fawn (a light fawn), black, and increasingly, brindle is being seen.

The Pug boasts a fascinating history with two primary origins: China and the Netherlands.

The earliest breeds originated in China. Pugs were highly treasured by the ruling families and emperors of the Chinese imperial court. They were even assigned guards to protect them, allowing them to live in extravagance.

Pugs eventually made their way west. They have long been a top choice for royal families in both England and the Netherlands, even capturing the passion of Queen Victoria.

In Europe, the history of keeping pugs began in the House of Orange in the Netherlands. One pug even saved the Prince of Orange from assassins, leading the breed to become the official "pug of the house." The modern style of pugs seen today was brought to Britain from China in 1886. They arrived in America around the late 1800s or early 1900s

Loyalty and Affection: A key trait of the pug is their unwavering loyalty. They are generally suitable to keep in many houses because they will do anything to please their owners. As companion dogs, they thrive when kept close to the families they own and naturally want to be with their owners. While dogs shouldn’t be ignored, it is generally okay to leave a pug alone for about eight hours if necessary.

Pugs and Kids: Pugs typically do well with children. Their sturdy physique and natural calmness allow them to easily tolerate kids. Unlike some breeds, they are generally not known to be nippy.

Training and Alertness : Pugs can be described as stubborn, but this characteristic does not translate into aggressive behavior. This stubbornness may simply mean they are a little slower to learn. However, this difficulty can be a good thing, as once a pug learns something, they are likely to remember it forever. Their alertness also makes them good security dogs because they will bark, though they are not predominantly used for security purposes.

Environment and Exercise: Pugs are decidedly indoor dogs. They cannot tolerate extremes in temperature, meaning they do not thrive outdoors in hot and humid regions, nor can they handle cold weather. An apartment or condo is an ideal environment for them.

They do not require high-intensity exercise, though moderate activity is sufficient. Owners should be mindful of their diet, as many pugs become overweight.

Grooming and Shedding: Pugs are known to be shedding dogs. However, since they are smaller, the shedding may not be tremendously noticeable unless vacuuming is infrequent.

Health Notes: Due to their short, brachycephalic noses, pugs have difficulty breathing and are known to snore heavily.

If you want to find out if the pug is the right breed for you, head over to Petland Iowa City and pull a pug out to play!

Location and Contact: Petland Iowa City is located at 1851 Lower Muscatine Road in Iowa City.

Hours: • Sunday: Noon until 6:00 p.m. • Monday through Saturday: 10:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m.

You can call Petland Iowa City at 319-351-9451.