How long do pugs live and what does it depend on?

Pugs are neat, cute and soulful creatures that you quickly become attached to. And it is very difficult to suddenly lose such an affectionate pet. To be ready in advance to part with your pet, you need to know how many years pugs live at home. This will maximize its life span.

Pug owners should be aware that they have chosen a long-lived breed. If the average life span of a dog is 11-12 years, then the life span of a pug is limited to 12-15 years. Pugs are small dogs, as a rule, compact breeds in the canine world live longer than their large relatives. It's also important to remember that pug girls live longer than boys. The fact is that stubbornness and willfulness are characteristic of males, they often solve problems with the help of a fight. All this leads to injuries and other diseases, and these factors already affect life expectancy.

Girls have a more docile disposition, they are friendly, not aggressive, they prefer to spend more time at home.Accordingly, females have no reason to get involved in fights, so death due to an accident is unlikely, and therefore they live longer. While it is generally believed that female puppies are weaker at birth than their siblings, females can also experience complications during childbirth. Nevertheless, practice shows that females live longer than males.

If the pug dies at a young age, the following diseases are likely to be the cause.

• Congenital diseases. Pugs are not without the possibility of being born with a serious defect that can shorten their life. This, for example, can be attributed to heart ailments. It is impossible to prevent such an outcome, but if the disease is detected in time, then you can control its course and stop the attacks in a timely manner.
• Infections. Fungi and bacteria can accumulate between the folds of an animal, but they are not as dangerous as infections, which can enter the dog's body through a wound or abrasion. Therefore, any damage to the skin needs timely treatment and disinfection. The infection lies in wait for a healthy animal, which was not vaccinated on time and was taken out into the street.
• Oncology. This is a fairly common cause of the death of pugs. The most common cancers of the skin, oral cavity, testicles, mammary glands, lymphoma. To prevent the formation of diseases of the genitourinary organs, the dog can be neutered or spayed. It is believed that a spayed animal lives longer, because the dog does not have to leave his health and strength during childbirth. Moreover, pugs often give birth with complications.
• Encephalitis... Another disease that often affects pugs. It is a fatal cerebral edema. Symptoms include convulsions, lethargy, sluggishness, and loss of coordination. This ailment is terrible in that it is rather difficult to identify it in the early stages.
• Eye diseases... Perhaps the most vulnerable organ of this breed. These dogs have bulging eye sockets that seem to barely fit inside the skull. Therefore, even an insignificant eye injury, received, for example, with an ordinary blade of grass, can provoke the formation of an abscess. In this case, an expensive operation and corneal transplant will be required.
• Weak heart. These animals can die suddenly during a long run, from serious physical exertion, with a sharp drop in temperature.
• Circulation. Dogs of this breed have a non-standard build, which contributes to the impaired blood supply in the area of ​​the femoral head. This process can provoke wear and tear of the hip joint and muscle atrophy, resulting in tissue necrosis. In this case, the pug may not live up to 7 years.
• Respiratory system... Diseases of the ENT organs can also cause a deterioration in the well-being of a pug and its subsequent death. Walking in cool weather can lead to illness.
• Excess weight. These dogs do not particularly like an active lifestyle, they prefer to spend more time in the house next to the owner, eat tasty and eat a lot, and rest for a long time. All this leads to increased body weight, and hence problems with digestion, breathing, and possibly the development of diabetes.
• Poor hygiene. The owner should pay special attention to this moment. Bacteria can accumulate in the folds of the face and should be cleaned regularly. In addition, pugs have narrow ear canals, which also require frequent cleaning.

If we have dealt with the diseases, then it is worth remembering about the correct maintenance of the dog. Poor conditions, stress, illiterate grooming can significantly affect the life of a pug.From poor nutrition, diseases of the heart, blood vessels, and digestive tract organs can be aggravated. An improper walk leads to a deterioration in well-being, and if the dog is allowed to walk without a leash, it may die from an accident.

In order for a four-legged friend to stay in the house as long as possible, you need to pay special attention to the following points when maintaining it.

A pug is a breed for which both hyperactive jogging and a complete lack of physical activity are dangerous. Too hard work can not withstand the weak heart of this dog, and inactivity leads to obesity with all the ensuing consequences. Therefore, when keeping a pug, you need to observe the "golden mean". Most fit daily walks with light loads in the form of games.

This is a very important criterion when keeping a pug. Representatives of this breed are prone to rapid weight gain. When feeding, it is important to maintain the balance of BJU, as well as enrich the feed with vitamins and microelements. Therefore, most veterinarians recommend feeding pugs with premium and super premium ready-made dry food. The fact is that this product already contains all the elements necessary for the healthy development of a pet, which means that the owner does not have to count calories, proteins, fats and carbohydrates.

You cannot feed the dog at its first request. Dry food swells in the stomach, so overeating possible... It is better to familiarize yourself with the information on the feed packaging, manufacturers indicate quality products daily portion of a specific brand, taking into account the weight of the animal. An even more correct decision would be to consult a veterinarian. Let the doctor independently indicate the daily portion in grams, based on the weight, age and health of a particular dog.

It is important to monitor the pet's skin, wipe its folds, inspect for wounds and scratches after each walk, monitor the condition of the eyes and ears. From time to time, the pug needs bathing, it is also important to comb it out regularly.

In no case should the pet overheat or hypothermia be allowed. Do not place his bed next to a balcony or heating appliances. While walking in cold weather be sure to wear warm overalls on your dog.

Treat your dog for worms every 3 months and do not forget about annual vaccinations. Remember that an unvaccinated animal cannot be walked outside. Even the owner himself can bring an infection into the house on shoes. Vaccinations for a puppy begin at the age of two months, that is, until this moment the dog should only be in the house.

Pugs are very sociable companion dogs, for whom contact with a person is vital... It is important to pay a lot of attention to dogs, do not scold over trifles, play, caress, take care. It is very important for these dogs that a person feels love for them. The pug clearly feels bad attitude towards himself and always worries about this. Give your pet as much love and care as possible, then he will live in your house for as long as possible.

In the next video, you will find the features of proper pug care.