Pugs are best described as mischievous, charming, and lovable. They are sociable and gentle companion dogs. The characteristics that define this breed include a flat nose, curly tail, and short, stocky stature. They can grow to an average height of 10-13 inches, and weigh anywhere from 14-18 pounds.
The Pug was not initially a well-known breed in the U.S.A but its popularity has been growing somewhat in the last few decades. The American Kennel Club ranks the Pug at #32 out of 194 breeds; so, it’s still pretty high up on the list.
One-Shot Expenses for Owning a Pug
If you’re looking to purchase a dog and thinking about a Pug but still somewhat hesitant, here’s a list of some of the initial expenses that you can expect to shoulder:
- Pug’s Price
Purchase Cost – On average, a Pug costs between $300 and $1,500, depending on the age of the animal, where you’re getting it from, the strength of its lineage, and where you’re located. Generally, puppies will be at the higher end of the price range compared to an adult Pug.
For a show quality Pug from a breeder, the cost will be much more and could go up to nearly $5,000.
Additionally, Pugs generally come in three coat colors – black, fawn, and silver. Fawn is the most popular color, so breeders will charge more for Pugs of that description.
Teacup Pugs – which are a recent genetic variation – are an even smaller version of the dog. These are sold for about $4,000 or more.
There is also the white Pug which has to specifically be bred to produce that color. This is considered a special variation and starts at around $2,000.
Adoption Cost – Another alternative to acquiring a Pug from a registered breeder is to adopt one. This is a great option if you haven’t yet fully made up your mind on the breed and don’t want to invest a huge sum. However, these Pugs may be mixed-breed to some degree.
Adoption fees vary from shelter to shelter but most experts agree that the price range falls around $100 to $300 on average.
- Crates & Kennels
A Pug is quite small; therefore, a 24” dog crate should be enough to keep it comfy. You can pick one up at Petco for around $40 to $150.
- Registration
An additional one-time expense which is completely optional is the registration for your Pug. Registering at the American Kennel Club provides a wide array of benefits and the prices range from $30 to $80, depending on the type of registration.
What’s Included in the Pug Price?
Buying a Pug from a registered breeder on AKC guarantees a number of beneficial freebies. Here are a few items included in the Pug price:
- Free Health Screening
- Free Microchip Implantations
- Neutering/Spaying on Request
Not all breeders include additional services with the cost of the pet though, so research thoroughly and contact them beforehand in order to make the best decision.
AKC’s marketplace features hundreds of registered breeders and many of them have pups from champion bloodlines. What this means is that one dog from the puppy’s bloodline within 3 generations has earned an AKC Conformation Championship or Grand Championship Title.
Maintenance Expenses of Pugs
- High-Quality Dog Food
A well-balanced and nutritious diet will keep your Pug strong and healthy. Consider purchasing high-quality dog food as Pugs are used to being fed well and often.
Be careful not to overfeed though. An overweight Pug can develop heart problems, can put more pressure on its joints, and shorten its lifespan.
Pugs are typically between 15 – 20 pounds and so they are recommended as needing about a cup of food a day. One would expect to pay roughly $20 to $50 a month for food costs, depending on the quality of the brand purchased.
- Grooming Kits/Pampering
Pugs love to be pampered. It’s in their genes. They expect to be given what they want and will provide you unending loyalty in return.
Trim their nails often. Long nails can cause discomfort and pain while walking or running.
They can even deform the feet and injure your Pug’s tendons if left for an extended period of time. The preferred tool of use for most groomers is a nail grinder, which slowly cuts down the nail and has less risk of hurting the dog.
You can get a grooming kit and various other accessories at Petco for around $7 to $35.
- Toys
Choose the Pug’s toys wisely. Select toys that they can chew on as Pugs begin teething between the age of 3 and 4 months.
Adult Pugs need a variety of different toys to fight boredom and help them deal with separation anxiety when you have to leave. Toys for puppies can cost anywhere from $4 to $13 and for adults, the price can jump to around $7 to $15.
Standard costs for toys and walking equipment will range between $50 to $200 yearly, combined.
- Health Maintenance
Routine check-ups by veterinary experts and annual vaccinations are both an important factor in keeping your Pug in tip-top shape. Some health issues such as worms and diabetes can bring devastating results if left unchecked for long periods of time but are easily managed if identified early on.
The AKC has a recommended list of vaccinations for your Pug’s first year if it’s a puppy. The average cost of the core vaccines is around $75 to $100.
Aside from standard medical costs of vaccinations, dewormings, and annual check-ups, there are a number of diseases that Pugs are predisposed to, which should be considered, particularly eye, joint, and skin problems.
Hip and elbow dysplasia are very commonly seen in Pugs as they can put on weight easily. What happens in this situation is that their joints become misaligned and scrape against each other.
This condition requires surgery, of which there are a number of options depending on your dog’s specific prognosis. On average you would expect to pay between $1,500 to $4,000 or more to correct this.
Legg-Calve-Perthes is another condition that Pugs can develop where the dog’s femurs begin to deteriorate, resulting in lameness. This also requires surgical correction and costs around $1,000 to $3,000 to fix.
Entropion is a genetic defect where the dog’s eyelids roll inward causing irritation. As Pugs have flat faces but bulging eyes, this can often develop. This will need a surgical intervention to prevent vision loss and can cost between $300 and $1,000 to treat.
Another common Pug ailment is fold dermatitis; a skin condition that results in irritation in between the folds of the animal’s skin. This requires medication to treat which can cost between $200 and $400. In very severe cases, surgical intervention may also be required.
