Can you recommend a reputable pug breeder? archived

How about looking into a pug rescue, instead.

To second LK, we got pug #1 from a "backyard breeder" before I knew any better. Pug #2 came from a rescue at 8 months old. You can find pug rescue orgs and other pugs for adoption (even some puppies) on:
www.petfinder.org

If you are set on a breeder I'd find some local dog shows and stop in and chat with the folks who are showing their dogs. They will know the "good" breeders in the area (if they aren't breeders themselves).

Pugs are awesome. Be aware it is hard to have only one, I'd be a pug collector if hubby would let me. Best of luck!

We got our pug from Chris Tucker. Indigo pugs. We LOVE our dog. He is a saint and Chris is an extremely reputable breeder. Christine & Kenneth Tucker "Indigo Pugs" 908-459-5211, Blairstown NJ. ctbirds@yahoo.com, http://www.indigopugs.net. I would also recomend Jackie Hofer. Al & Jacqueline Hofer, Aljac Pugs, North Brunswick, NJ, 732-297-1689
aljacpugs@aol.com, www.aljacpugs.com. Feel free to whipsper me if you want to talk more. I know a lot about the breed and talking about my dog is one of my favorite subjects

Please don't get a pug. They are not dogs. They are part cat and part infant child. Their masters fall into the trap of not training them, and babying them, and letting them beg and whine and sit on top of everyone and be around kids and food (which is a terrible mix). The pugs shed unbelievably, especially the fawns, ruining clothing, pillows, carpets, and couches. They end up running the homes in which they live. I have owned a pug for more than 10 years, and while I do love our pug (in the way one loves a family member that pisses them off), I must say, in the strongest terms, that the pug is a brutal breed. Get a mutt from the shelter and you'll be doing much, much better.

balazeke, maybe you shouldn't leave your bowl of Corn Flakes on the coffee table where your pug could pee in it so often. :wink:

I have a pug, too. We got him from a breeder, who was probably a hobby breeder. She had 4 pugs and bred a litter or two a year, alternating her animals. I'm sure she meant well, but she didn't do the recommended genetic testing. Our little guy has some spine issues, which are not uncommon in pugs. With pugs, the breeder should be checking for the absence of Pug Dog Encephalitis (commonly called PDE) in their line, and should be checking out the health of their patellas (pugs are prone to luxating patellas). Pugs can also have issues with their palates, and their eyes are very vulnerable - nose wrinkles can irritate the eyes, causing problems with the pigmentation in the eys (PK) and this can lead to blindness.

Be very careful and ask your breeder about the types of health testing they have done, and the incidence of any of these issues in their line. Be very wary of people who breed for big or "teacup" sized pugs - there's a breed standard, and it should be followed. Animals that vary considerably from the standard can have additional problems that may not be apparent at first.

There's a group called The Pug Dog Club of Greater New York and another one called the Delaware Valley Pug Association which might be able to give you information on breeders in the area. Both of these groups show at the specialty show that happens the weekend before the Westminster Show in February. It has been held at the Meadowlands Center in the past. If it is held there this year (or whatever it is called now), you might want to go, buy a program and make notes of the various animals being shown. Show breeders sometimes have dogs who have a fault that would make them ineligible for the show ring, but who would make wonderful pets (tail set not being as tight as specified by standard, for example). Westminster itself is a bench show, which means every dog in the show has to be on the grounds for the two days of the show; you can go and talk to the exhibitors and maybe make some connections that way. It's just not a good idea to try to talk to people right before their particular breed is about to be called into the ring. But the day before, or after the breed has been judged is usually more relaxed.

I love our pug, but they aren't easy to housebreak, can be stubborn and definitely have a mind of their own. They are really, really active as puppies and for the first 2 or 3 years of their lives - they don't turn into couch potatoes until they are about 6 or so. A pug will always want to be with you and isn't the kind of dog that will go off by itself and sleep on the rug. They are very people-intensive dogs, so be sure that's what you want before you get one. I'm not trying to discourage you, but pug rescues tend to be overburdened with pets who are "too much trouble", "too hard to housebreak" or just "shed too much."

Hope that's not more info than you really wanted.

I forgot to mention some of the other attractive traits that were bred (or overbred, or in-bred) into our wonderful Pug: 1) eats other dog's poo; 2) has no sense of smell and so barks mercilessly at everyone including family members and friends that approach the home; 3) barks in a screeching howl that rattles my dentistry and evokes every horror film I've ever seen; 4) doesn't deign to go outside in the rain or snow or high wind; 5) when outside in such weather, stares at me, shaking periodically, like I'm crazy; 6) when finally doing her business outside, spins around and around and around, often stepping in other dog's dong piles and ensuring it gets all ground into her paw pads. Give me a minute and I'll think of a few more reasons why I just love my dear old Pug . . . .

Balazeke - my pug doesn't exhibit any of the traits you described. Maybe this is just your dog, but not characteristics of the breed. We crate trained our pug early and he was simple to housebreak. He does not get near other dogs poo and has never howled in his life. He does shed but the shedding is nothing a vacuum can't take care of and has definitely never ruined anything I own. Pugs are infamous for being food obsessed but any dog who is fed from the table will beg. That is a learned trait.

http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/18258657

maybe?

(This is not a statement against breeders and if you want to go to one then I'm just happy when people give animals loving homes... however if you are looking for a baby pug then this one is ready and available.)

Just a couple of tips when you go to the breeder.

1. Make sure the mother of the pup is there
2. Make sure the adult pug they show you is:
a: actually a female
b: her teats are still noticeable large from nursing

A lot of "breeders" are actually distributors of puppy-mill dogs. They buy three or four pups of a breed and have an adult on site that they pawn of as the parent. There is no such thing as the female being the loaner parent. Males get loaned out for breeding purposes and get sent back to their homes when their business is done. Some fake breeders try to tell potential buyers that the mother of the pups was a breeder loaner and has already returned. That does not happen. The females owners are always the ones raising the pups so the mother can give birth in her regular surroundings.

If they show you a female look if her teats are still hanging down. It takes almost three months for them to return to normal so if the pups nursed for 5 weeks and they are 12 weeks old now the mom should still have "saggy boobies". If she doesn't she is most likely a female from a previous litter that they couldn't get rid off.

Ask questions and ask for a vet reference. A good breeder will be happy to supply you with one.

There is an official pug resue:
New Jersey (and Pennsylvania)
Delaware Valley Pug Rescue
Thomas and Roberta Storer
12 Letchworth Lane

Avondale, Pennsylvania 19311
610-268-5574/5572 helpingpugs@verizon.net


and the NJ breeder listing:

http://www.pugs.org/indexbreeder.htm

Good luck with your new pet.

P.S. Dear Balazeke:

Don't be mad if I say this but very single thing you listed are problems created by lack of leadership and improper training (except for the shedding of course) as you stated yourself.

Frankly they could be fixed in no time if you are game. I'd be happy to help if you want.

Phoebe Rockkicker aka Bajou

Thanks all for your very helpful comments! I actually had looked into pug rescue organizations at several points, and am still open to the idea. I have a sister who is a vet in the area and has spoken to me at length on to avoid the puppy mill type breeders. It's such a shame that people will breed with complete disregard for health and fail to do the proper testing. My family has always used breeders so I suppose I automatically assumed I would go the same route. I'd like to investigate both further, and really appreciate all of this feedback.

I've sent a few whipser messages in reply to your comments as well.

just found this thread after a search for "pugs" as I am looking for any information about these creatures, having just adopted a 14 -15 week old one. I've been a cat owner my whole life, so I am in new territory here with not only a dog but a pug, which seems to have its own set of delights and challenges.

Debpod - did you get a pug? how's it going?

And if anyone has any particularly good books/websites, etc to recommend I would love to know about them.

hi notagain - i just sent you a private message with more details - apologies for the late reply.

for all interested, i did end up getting a pug last february and it was a great decision. we absolutely love our little guy and it's been a great past year with him here. happy to share my learnings with any prospective pug owners in the area or set up a puggy playdate!

debra

You may not realize this so I am giving you fair warning: PUGS ARE ADDICTIVE!
They are like chldren and they are absolutely addictive. Test my theory yourself, betcha can't have just one!

critterlover said:

You may not realize this so I am giving you fair warning: PUGS ARE ADDICTIVE!
They are like chldren and they are absolutely addictive. Test my theory yourself, betcha can't have just one!

Yep. My aunt fell in love with the breed decades ago and has had one (not the same one obviously ;-) ) ever since.

As far as pugs not being trainable, My aunt has finished pugs in AKC shows for obedience. Pugs are trainable.

thanks, debpod - got your message. I would love to meet up with other pug owners for a playdate sometime. We have a small but fenced in backyard and would be happy to host.

And I have to laugh at the "pugs are addictive" post - my inlaws started with one and the next day had three!

Pugs, veritable crack for the small breed lover! and you have now declared your ( partner's) genetic tendency towards it, LOL!

Addictive indeed - my husband and I are expecting our first child in June, but I'm still trying to convince him we need to get a second pug this spring.

I completely agree with the suggestion to get a rescue dog (we've always had rescue cats) but that can also be difficult.
I really wanted a rescue and sent in applications to various sites. What irked me was not that they didn't give me the dog, the never even got
back to me about whether or not my application was denied, accepted, received. Some feedback would have been helpful, not to mention polite.
Then I started looking on the French Bulldog rescue site and their criteria for adoption was just excessive, kinda crazy.
We ultimately found a breeder through the AKC local rep. and have been thrilled with our pure bred frenchie. And I
think we are the kind of home that any of the rescue groups would have rated A+ but sadly, we never got the chance.