Choosing A New Pug Puppy: How To Select The Perfect Pug

Once you decide on bringing home a new Pug, selecting the right Pug puppy is a crucial decision that should be given a lot of thought and consideration by you and the entire household. The right Pug puppy will make a terrific friend and companion throughout for many years to come, while the wrong Pug puppy may end up being isolated in the backyard or worse, taken to a shelter home. 

There is no such thing as the perfect puppy for everybody. There are, however, several hundreds of breeds to choose from. With a little research and self-evaluation, it is possible for any person to find the right puppy for him or herself. 

Exercise Requirements 

One of the things you need to consider in determining the right breed is his personality as an adult dog. All puppies are energetic and active, but once he reaches adulthood, his level of activity should match with your personality and lifestyle.  

If you are the type of person who likes to spend a lot of time indoors, on the couch, and in front of the television or reading a book, you need to pick a puppy like Pug that will also enjoy the same lifestyle. 

On the other hand, if you have an active lifestyle and are looking for a dog that shares the same level of energy as you, consider getting a sporting breed. These dogs have an unlimited amount of energy and will be more than happy to go out with you hiking, jogging, or spending time playing with your kids. 

Size 

Do not assume that a dog's size directly reflects his activity levels. Most small and toy breeds such as Pug are very active and enjoy a lot of running around, while large, giant breeds have moderate-to-low levels of activity and are more content laying on the sofa than running around outside. 

However, when it comes to your living situation, size can be a big influence in deciding which type of dog to have. If you live on the ninth floor apartment complex and plan on paper training your dog instead of dragging him nine floors down for his potty break, you are better off with a small breed. 

Small-to-medium size dogs are also preferred for households with small children. It is easy for big dogs to accidentally knock down a small child during playtime or with a swipe of his tail.  

If you prefer a big breed, you also need to keep in mind that they generally shed more, eat more, and potentially cost more in medical expenses (medications are usually prescribed according to size and weight). 

Dog Food & Supplements: An In Depth Look At Nutrition For Your Pug 

Labeling in the pet food industry is carefully controlled by state and federal regulations. Words such as “complete” and/or “balanced” cannot arbitrarily appear on a label. Before any labeling claims that a product is complete and/or balanced, manufacturers must prove it to the satisfaction of the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). 

The AAFCO is made up of representatives from each state, and representatives from the Federal Trade Commission and the Food and Drug Administration. The AAFCO is closely affiliated with the individual state departments of agriculture. Manufacturers must prove that the product actually meets or exceeds the acceptable guidelines as set forth by the National Research Council. 

Because of the variety of dog foods now available to the consumer, he finds himself faced with the question, which is best? Canned, dry, or semi-moist food? 

Complete and balanced foods are available in all three forms.  

Nutritionally, they are the same. Only the means used to arrive at the end result (putting it in a can, bag or box) are different. In canned foods, fresh or frozen meat or meat by-products are used as a source of protein, though they are not the only source of it. In dry foods, the very same products are dehydrated, and other ingredients added to compensate for any loss of nutrients during the dehydration process. 

This raises another set of questions.  

Why then is there such a wide diversification of prices? How can some dog foods be priced at just a few dollars while seemingly the same amount of nutrients in a more popular brand be priced triple that amount? If both foods are labeled as “complete” and “balanced” then what is the difference? 

The answer can be found in the list of ingredients the manufacturer uses to make the product. The ingredients used will affect the palatability of the product – that is – how it tastes and smells. 

A person sitting down at the dinner table with a plate of broiled lobster, french fries, corn on the cob, and homemade yeast rolls would really savor the taste and smell of the meal, provided he enjoyed such cuisine. Then again, the smell of Hungarian goulash emanating from the table alongside wouldn't turn him on at all. A person adverse to lobster meal might very well relish the Hungarian goulash. The price paid for each of the two meals would vary greatly. 

In other words - people's tastes differ – and likewise, dog's tastes differ.  

The manufacturer strives to develop the one taste that will be enjoyed by the largest percentage of dogs. To this end, each manufacturer strives for consistency. The job for proper blending to achieve taste and smell falls directly upon the manufacturer's quality control staff. 

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