The Pug, or Carlin, has origins dating back to China where it was bred to be a companion dog. It was introduced to Europe in the 17th century and became popular in Great Britain after its arrival with William III. The name "Carlin" is often attributed to the Italian comedian Carlo Antonio Bertinazzi due to the resemblance of its black mask to that worn by the artist.
✨ Breed Characteristics
- Origin: China (but widely developed in Great Britain)
- Type: Companion dog
- Hypoallergenic? No
📊 Quick Facts
- Weight:
- Male: 6-8 kg
- Female: 6-8 kg
- Height:
- Male: 30-36 cm
- Female: 30-36 cm
- Life expectancy: 12-15 years
- Exercise needs: 45 minutes to 1 hour per day
- Apartment living: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (The Pug is an excellent dog for indoor living and adapts perfectly to small spaces like apartments)
🧠 Personality (out of 5 stars)
- Intelligent: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
- Affectionate: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
- Protective: ⭐☆☆☆☆
- Playful: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Vocalizations: ⭐☆☆☆☆
- Obedient: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
- Hunter: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
- Calm: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
- Athletic: ⭐☆☆☆☆
- Independent: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
🐾 Compatibility with
- Children: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (The Pug is an excellent companion for children, it is calm and affectionate with them)
- Other animals: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (It generally gets along well with other animals, but each dog must be properly socialized)
- Strangers: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (The Pug is generally friendly with strangers)
- Apartment living: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Due to its small size and calm temperament, the Pug is very well suited for apartment living)
🧼 Maintenance & care
- Ease of maintenance: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (Although the Pug is not a particularly demanding dog in terms of physical exercise, it requires regular care)
- Maintenance cost: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (The maintenance cost is quite high due to the specific care needed, such as cleaning skin folds and monitoring respiratory issues)
- Frequency of care:
- Grooming: Grooming is not very complicated, but cleaning the skin folds is crucial to avoid infections. It is also important to brush the teeth and clean the ears regularly.
- Exercise: Although the Pug does not have excessive exercise needs, it enjoys short outings to stretch its legs. It should not be subjected to extreme weather conditions, as it is prone to respiratory problems due to its short muzzle.
💰 Budget
- Purchase price: €1100-1600
- Average annual cost (veterinary, accessories, food): €900-950
🏡 Important note
The Pug is an excellent companion dog for those who live in apartments or small spaces. It is very affectionate, calm, but also playful. It adapts well to indoor life, provided it is not exposed to extreme temperatures and its environment is kept cool and well-ventilated. It is suitable for both experienced owners and novices, as it is relatively easygoing, although its training sometimes requires a bit of patience.
