Teacup Pug: Health, Diet, LifeSpan, Temperament...

Group: Toy

About Teacup Pug

Country of Origin, History of the breed This is an ancient breed that predates Christianity at 400 BC. Experts agree the Pug has Asian origins, and China is the earliest identified location. The pug is generally accepted as the Chinese Foo Dog, and he was highly regarded as a prized possession. He enjoyed popularity in the Tibetan Buddhist monasteries.

He gained popularity in other Asian countries like Japan and traveled to England and Europe courtesy of Dutch traders who brought them back from China. They enjoyed royal status in both England and Holland, and one of the breed members is even credited with saving the life of the Crown Prince, William. That dog and the breed became the official dog of the House of Orange for this measure.

Breed Selector Tool - is the Teacup Pug the right breed for you?

Is the Teacup Pug the right breed for you and your family?
Find out by using our Free Dog Breed Selector Tool

Check Your Teacup Pug's Temperament

Training your Teacup Pug will be fast, easy and simple, if you know whether your Dog is aggressive, docile or friendly. Use this Free Dog Personality Test to peek into how your Teacup Pug's mind works.

Teacup Pug Calorie Calculator

Do you know how many calories your Teacup Pug needs every day and how many cups of food you should be giving it every day? Click here to use our Teacup Pug Calorie Calculator.

A General Appearance of the Teacup Pug

The Pug is a sturdy little dog, and his body should be squared and compact. His tail curls tightly over his back, and he carries a short, close coat.

The Pug comes in a variety of colors: fawn, silver fawn, apricot fawn, and black. All of the dogs, except the black ones, have a clearly and well defined black mask on their face. This is a breed characteristic.

The Pug is also known for its large head, facial wrinkles, and short muzzle. This short face can cause some breathing issues as well as audible snorting and snoring.

The normal size Pug weighs an average of 14-18 pounds. A teacup Pug would be a small Pug, around 10 pounds in size. Warning: Some ‘teacup’ Pugs are actually Pugs crossbred with Chihuahuas to get a smaller size.

The teacup size of the Pug is not a recognized size class but instead refers to a Pug that is smaller than its breed standard. Teacup sized Pugs are produced in a normal litter, and a breeder cannot guarantee the dog’s adult size.

Personality

Temperament of the Dog.

The Pug is a friendly, outgoing dog. He should not be shy but should look forward to the affections of those he meets. He is jovial and playful with an even temper.

Pugs are adaptable dogs, and shyness or aggression should be uncommon. He is a favorite of families, and many people find themselves with more than one!

The Right Kind of Home

The teacup Pug should be an inside only dog. They are sensitive to heat and weather conditions. Due to his short muzzle, his breathing is compromised, and the breed is sensitive to heat exhaustion. They cannot be left outdoors for extended periods of time and cannot handle too much exercise.

The breed is generally sturdy and does well with children and in a family environment. As with all teacup sized dogs, a home with small children might not be best. The smaller the individual Pug is, the more fragile he is.

The teacup Pug is also a low maintenance dog and does not require a lot of exercise. He does well in low energy family environments, but he does enjoy being with the family.

Training

The Pug is not a natural training choice, and he will probably take longer than a lot of other breeds to train. Train in a positive format to keep him interested, and you will need to use a lot of motivation. Without motivation, he is likely to tune you out!

Activity Level

The teacup Pug is low maintenance. He cannot handle much exercise or play time at one time without resting, so he makes an ideal companion for someone that is more of a couch potato.

Pugs can easily become overweight so make sure to engage him in daily exercise at levels he can tolerate.

Health and Care

The Pug is a fairly healthy breed, but there are a few health issues that are more common like: obesity, ear infections, skin problems, dental issues, respiratory problems, encephalitis, epilepsy, hemi-vertebrae, eye problems, and orthopedic problems like hip dysplasia.

Not all Pugs will be afflicted with health problems, but the smaller the dog, the higher the likelihood.

Teacup Pugs should always be vet checked for any conditions that might contribute to the smaller size like heart problems, liver conditions, etc.

They will require more care throughout their lives as there are increased risks when using vaccinations, medication, anesthesia, etc. Always consult with your veterinarian about your dog prior to giving it anything new. A very tiny dog can quickly be adversely affected.

Grooming

The teacup Pug is a wash-and-wear kind of dog. It has a short coat that does shed, but regular brushing takes care of this.

The main upkeep with the Pug will be establishing a good dental routine, regular nail trims, and careful cleaning of ears and washing of skin folds to discourage infections.