Buying a Pug Puppy

What to expect from a breeder who puts Health, Welfare and Temperament first.

Stop and think before buying a flat-faced dog.

Brachycephalic (short faced) breeds frequently have serious health problems due to their body and head shape: eye problems due to large protruding eyes; skin folds causing inflammation, infection and soreness, narrow nostrils causing breathing difficulties; excess flesh in throat & narrow windpipe cause breathing & swallowing problems; spinal deformities causing pain; difficulties coping in hot weather & exercise intolerance.

Pug Puppy

Essential Documents

  1. Heath Certificates (both parents)
  2. Signed AWF Puppy Contract
  3. KC Registration Certificate (if applicable)
  4. Microchip Registration Certificate
  5. Temporary Pet Health Insurance
  6. Vaccination Certificate

A Good Breeder Will:

  1. have socialised and habituated the puppy
  2. provide a supply of food
  3. provide a blanket smelling of Mum
  4. follow the Code of Practice for Dog Breeding

Official Health Schemes

  • KC/University of Cambridge Respiratory Function Grading Scheme (RFGS)
  • assesses nostril size, respiratory noise and function

Other Diseases

No current health scheme or DNA test available.

  • Cancer
  • particularly mast cell tumours
  • Corneal ulceration
  • painful and slow-healing ulcers on surface of eyes
  • Dermatitis
  • particularly inflammation in crevices of wrinkled skin and demodicosis (skin mites)
  • Dystocia
  • problems giving birth
  • Entropion
  • inward turning eyelids, leading to pain
  • Hemivertebrae and other spinal deformities
  • can cause pressure on spinal cord and progressive disability
  • Luxating patella
  • slipping of the kneecap, can cause pain and lameness
  • Obesity
  • excess body fat (overweight)

DNA Tests Relevant to Breed

  • PDE – Pug dog encephalitis
  • progressive, fatal inflammatory disease of central nervous system

Other Tests

  • Putnam scoring for patella luxation
  • |
  • Spine X-rays and evaluation, particularly for hemivertebrae

Further Information

There are two health schemes for Pugs, the Breed Club 5 Star Health Scheme and the NationalPug Health Scheme. Both are awarded to dogs that pass the health tests listed above and a visual health assessment by a vet

Pug Health Website

Return to Breed Health Information List