The black Pug has taken everyone by storm with its playful demeanor and adorable features.
Today, I’ve compiled everything you need to know about black Pugs, including:
- A black Pug’s general features
- A black Pug’s life span
- Black Pug vs fawn Pug
- The health and nutrition of a black Pug
- How much does a black Pug cost
- Common health issues of a black Pug
- And so much more
Let’s take a look into the world of black Pugs!
What is a Black Pug?
Pugs are an ancient toy breed with their companionship being their most recognizable trait. Black Pugs are one of the two common color variants of the regular Pug.
While their color bears no significant difference for the Pug breed itself, it distinguishes the black Pug from its other color variant, the fawn Pug.
Black Pugs are small dogs that can adjust to any lifestyle. However, with its brachycephalic nature and short built, this adorable pup may not always be the right fit.
To understand whether the black Pug is the right choice for you, let’s take a look at their history first.
1. History Of Black Pugs
Pugs are an ancient breed with their origin tracing back as far as 206 B.C. Their origin is said to be in China as they were widely bred and popularized by them.
This toy breed is popularly known as lapdogs and companion pets.
Pugs were seen as a status symbol by emperors and other elite families that exclusively owned them.
This breed was a prized possession for all owners and was seen as a symbol of the rich.
Pugs became prevalent throughout the world after the 1500s, and today they stand as one of the most popular breed choices worldwide.
Black Pugs are rarer than any other color of Pug. Initially, their color was thought to be a genetic defect and was not primarily preferred by people.
However, Queen Victoria helped in normalizing the adorable black Pug and owned multiple of them!
2. Characteristics of Black Pugs
- Size: 12-14″ for male Pugs and 10-12″ for female Pugs
- Coat: Double layered coat
- Exercise: 40 minutes a day, 20 minutes per session
- Weight: 13 to 30 lbs for male Pugs and 13 to 18 lbs for female Pugs
- Lifespan: 12 to 15 years
- Temperament: Playful and gentle; non-violent and obedient
- Good With Children: Incredibly great while interacting with children
- Good With Pets: Need a little socialization training, peaceful with other pets nonetheless
- Breed: Toy breed
3. The Appearance of Black Pugs
Black Pugs are adorable, you can find big bulging eyes, folded small ears on their short and wrinkly flat face.
Their barrel-shaped bodies are only supported by small and short legs. Their tails are curled and fall off.
They have the characteristic skin folds of the Pug with their mask and coat blending.
- Their Coat
Black Pugs are known for their short but dense coat which might shed moderately, but you will still be surprised at how often they shed during hot seasons.
Most of them are single coated unlike their fawn variant, so they will be shedding less than fawn Pugs.
If their coat is shining, it’s often a sign that your puppy is in a very good condition, otherwise, you may need to go to a vet for further inspection.
Black Pugs often have white markings over their body called “mismarks”. These mismark are usually found on their chest.
However, it will be one or two such spots and they are not stripped all over as for the case of brindle Pugs.
- Their Weight
Black Pugs belong to the toy breed so; naturally, they are a smaller breed of dogs. Here’s a chart that will help you get a good estimate of a black Pug’s weight and height.
Pug’s Gender | Weight (lbs) | Height (inches) |
Male Pugs | 13 – 30 lbs | 12 – 14 inches |
Female Pugs | 13 – 18 lbs | 10 – 12 inches |
Is There Any Difference Between A Black Pug And A Fawn Pug?
Many are confused about whether there’s any significant difference between the black Pug and a fawn Pug. And the answer is that apart from their color there is no difference.
Both the gentle and loveable Pugs that are loved and cherished by people of all ages.
Sometimes the black Pug has white markings across its body which gives it the name black and white Pug at times; however, their dominant color remains to be black.
Hence, the only differences between the black Pug and fawn Pug can be listed as:
- Black Pugs are rarer than fawn Pugs
- Color is their only difference; fawn Pugs have a beige-yellow coat whereas black Pugs are all black
- Fawn Pugs often have a black spot on their forehead
- Fawn Pugs have a traditional black mask for their features while black Pug’s mask blends in with its coat
- Fawn Pugs shed more than black Pugs
- Black Pugs have few white spots on their coat while fawn Pugs have a trace going down their back
Behavior and Personality of Black Pugs
While Pugs are known to be one of the friendliest and most playful breeds, all different types of Pugs have their matchless quirks and personalities.
Black Pugs are an unconditionally loyal and exceptionally affectionate breed; with male Pugs being more laid back and female Pugs having a more hyper and energetic presence.
Let’s take a look at their behavior and temperament.
1. Behavior Of Black Pugs
- Lazy Pups
While Black Pugs are renowned for being the calm and gentle breed, their laid back behavior can often result in laziness.
If black Pugs could, they would sleep all day long, even with disturbances. So you will constantly be on your feet trying to get their daily dose of exercise in.
- Short lived energy bursts
Even though black Pugs generally tend to be lazy and laid-back, they often get spontaneous bursts of playful energy and will make your day with their short-lived hyperactive quirks.
- Chewing
While they are calm and gentle, you will need to put in the dedication to train them to be more obedient. They tend to chew on things when they’re lonely or frustrated.
- Begging for food
Pugs could be hungry all day long, they tend to beg for food whenever they get a chance. I know how difficult it is to reject your puppy.
However, you’d better keep caution with their food intake as they get fat easily which will cause a lot of health issues.
2. Temperament Of Black Pugs
Black Pugs will do anything to gain your love and affection. They’re always eager to please their owner, which is a common trait for this friendly and observant breed.
Characteristics of the Pug | Rating |
Friendliness | ★★★★☆ |
Confidence | ★★★☆☆ |
Protective Nature | ★★★☆☆ |
Preying Instinct | ★★★☆☆ |
Socialization Skills | ★★★★☆ |
- Friendly Pup
Black Pugs are very affectionate and get along with anyone. From children and family to any other animal, Black Pugs are always warm and welcoming.
- Easily Adapt To Environments
They adapt easily and quickly to any environment, making them one of the most family-friendly dogs to exist.
- Stubbornness Streak
These loving pups can have an infamous streak of being stubborn, so it will require a lot of patience on your end when you’re training them.
Our advice would be to use treats as motivation for this food-loving breed.
- Seek your love and attention
Black Pugs love being the center of their owner’s attention, so be ready for them following you around the house at any given moment.
Their naive nature allows them to grow attached to their owners very quickly. All they will ever need is your attention and loads of belly rubs!
- Do not like being alone
But if you leave them alone for long enough, they’ll undoubtedly pull some mischievous acts around the house.
Black Pugs crave feelings included in your life as much as they can.
This means they may want to cuddle up next you while you sleep or follow you wherever you go.
Health and Nutrition Of Black Pugs
All Pugs have diverse health and nutritional requirements according to their gene pool and their lifestyle.
While these requirements are different for every Pug, we’ve compiled all health and nutrition-related information you would require before getting a Black Pug.
1. Health of Black Pugs
Pugs are susceptible to various diseases and health conditions due to their brachycephalic nature.
While the Black Pug doesn’t suffer from any inherent conditions, it is prone to the same health issues as any Pug.
We have listed these common health issues ahead.
2. Nutrition of Black Pugs
Pugs are food-loving animals and will jump at any sight of food.
Their foodie nature is one of the reasons behind them developing diabetes or be obese.
Hence it would be best if you devised a diet plan for your black Pug with due diligence.
A Pug caloric intake can be determined by the fact that each pound the Pug weighs accounts for 50 calories in puppies and 40 calories for adult Pugs.
When Pugs age, they may need fewer calories as they might not be as active as younger Pugs.
Your Pug’s age and weight are vital factors when determining the nutritional requirements for it. To define the amount of food per day, you consider the Pug’s weight and age.
Here’s a chart that will guide you.
Age | Quantity | Frequency |
8 to 12 weeks | ¼ to ½ cup | 4 times a day |
3 to 6 months | ¼ to ⅓ cup | 3 times a day |
8 to 12 months | ⅓ cup to ½ cup | 2 times a day |
over 12 months | ½ to 1 cup | 1 to 2 times a week |
You can opt for reputable dog food brands that are preservative-free and packed with essential nutrients or prepare home-cooked meals to meet your Pug’s nutritional requirements and regulate their food intake.
However, we would always recommend that you consult a vet to find the perfect fit for your unique black Pug and help you in making better nutrition choices for your Pug.
Common Health Issues of Black Pugs
All breeds of Pugs are prone to more or less the same health problems. Here are some common health issues that you might have to face with your black Pug.
- Breathing Problems
Pugs are brachycephalic, which means that they have shortened snouts when compared to other canines.
This results in them being prone to breathing attacks and other respiratory problems.
Due to their shortened breathing tract, they will make a lot of noise at times such as wheezing, snoring, and so on.
- Skin Conditions
Pugs have soft folded and wrinkly skin which enables growth for bacteria and fungi if not cleaned properly.
Some common skin conditions amongst Pugs include ringworm, various allergies and in rare cases, demodicosis.
- Eye Problems
Pug’s eyes are incredibly endearing; however, they often have to suffer through a lot of eye problems.
Some common eye problems include cherry eye, cataracts, corneal ulcers and even chances of their eyes popping out.
- Tail Problems
The curled tail of Pugs is found to be the reason behind a lot of Pug health issues.
You should keep an eye out if you notice symptoms of a screw tail or limp tail.
These two conditions can be unbearable for your Pug and can lead to other health problems.
- Pug Dog Encephalitis
This condition occurs when brain tissues are swollen. This neurological problem will cause Pugs to suffer from seizures and epileptic attacks.
This is most common in young Pugs and is caused mainly due to genetics.
- Stomach Problems
Wrong food consumption can trigger the Pug’s digestive problems. This may result in food allergies, salmonella, bacteria, hypersensitivity.
They also suffer from bloating and swelling. Sometimes Pugs may suffer from intussusception, which causes the large and small intestines to slide into each other.
- Spinal Issues
The Pug’s spine is comparable to our own. Due to their brachycephalic nature, they are prone to spinal problems such as hemivertebrae or herniated discs.
Almost all Pugs are prone to spinal injuries due to their screw tail. Thus it’s necessary to get regular x-rays for your Pug.
- Orthopedic Problems
All Pugs have short bones which makes them easier to bend and twist. Thus your Pug’s joints might get dislocated often and may suffer from bone injuries.
Chondrodystrophic nature of Pugs makes them prone to orthopedic conditions such as luxating patellas, intervertebral disk diseases, and even arthritis.
- Heat Intolerance
Pugs cannot bear harsh weather, especially heat. This is due to them being brachycephalic and excessive heat triggering intense breathing problems for them.
Thus when you get a black Pug, it’s best to make regular appointments with your vet to ensure that your Pug is healthy and living its best life.
Exercise and Training of Black Pugs
Exercise and training are essential for any pet. Black and white Pugs alike are hesitant when it comes to physical exertion, but you need to make them exercise nonetheless.
Luckily, we’ve compiled everything you need to know about their activity and training right here!
1. Exercise
Black Pugs have short legs when compared to their overall torso, so they do not require intensive training or exercise.
However, to regulate their bodily functions, they need a light exercise of 40 minutes daily.
This 40-minute exertion can be broken down into two twenty-minute sessions throughout the day.
It’s best if you switch up the routes or take new paths so your Pug can familiarize itself with new scents and ways.
Since they aren’t heat tolerant, it is recommended that you take them out for a walk when the temperature is lower, i.e. evenings, early mornings.
Try and get a full-body harness for your Pug for your walks.
These harnesses aid the Pug’s breathing and do not put pressure on the black Pug’s torso or compromise its breathing.
2. Training
Black Pugs are incredibly intelligent and obedient. However, they do have a minor streak of stubbornness which can be tackled by training them properly.
Since black Pugs are gentle and soft-hearted, they do not respond well to the strictness and harsh punishments and can often turn against you and rebel.
Hence, positive reinforcement and appreciation are necessary to train your Pug.
Overall, Pugs are friendly with everyone and have good socializing skills.
Even then, you need to train your black Pug to be more sociable and behave well in specific environments.
If your Pug’s stubbornness gets the best of you, a professional trainer will be an excellent option for you!
Grooming of Black Pugs
Black Pugs require just as much grooming as any other breed of Pugs.
To ensure that you are properly cleaning your black Pug, we’ve devised a list of steps that you need to take when considering the grooming routine of your Pug:
- Bathe your Pug no more than once a month using an excellent hypoallergenic shampoo.
- Brush your Pug’s coat with a soft-bristled brush every 1 to 3 days.
- Clean the wrinkles and folds of your Pug’s skin every day.
- Gently clean your Pug’s eyes every day.
- Clean their ear flaps several times over the week.
- Carefully the ear canals every six weeks.
- Nose care is necessary for Pugs, and you should clean their nostrils every 2 to 3 weeks.
- Trim the nails of your Pug once a week.
- Please pay attention to your Pug’s paws and clean them regularly.
FAQs
1. How much does it cost to buy Black Pugs puppies?
On average a black Pug costs anywhere from $500 to $1000.This price is mainly dependent on the breeders and the nature of the breeding of the dog; competitive show Pugs tend to cost more than regular Pugs.
2. Do Black Pugs Shed?
Yes, black Pugs do shed; however, their shedding is less than that of fawn Pugs. Most of them have a single coat, hence the shedding is lesser than most double-coated Pugs.
So, is the Black Pug Right for You?
Black Pugs are great family dogs. With their loving nature and affectionate acts, they warm up to everyone in any family, including other pets!
Keep them as close to you as possible. They will always roam around you and may suffer from separation anxiety if you leave them alone.
Black Pugs are the trustworthy companions that are the perfect fit for any lonesome soul, and if you’re looking to make a best friend for life, black Pugs could be the right choice for you.