Pugs catch colds easily and are stressed by hot and cold weather. They are prone to allergies and the short muzzle contributes to chronic breathing problems. This breed tends to wheeze and snore, but on the whole is a very easy-care dog.

On purchasing your first Pug be sure to ask for a diet sheet from the breeder. Continuing with the same feeding plan is most important, especially for puppies. Puppies up to three months old should be rather fat and very active, and at this age their day needs to be regulated.

The owner should play with the puppy for about 20 minutes before its first meal. It is best to play on an absolutely flat surface; getting on and off chairs, or up and down steps before the pup's bones have hardened can cause a bowed foreleg, or even a greenstick fracture (cracked bone).

This is not intended to frighten the new owner, but just to warn him and ensure that he is careful when supervising the play of his Pugs. Handling a young puppy also needs care: never lift it up by the forelegs or by a handful of loose skin. Always use both hands and hold lightly with one on the back of the dog's neck, and the other under the body.

Do not ever frighten your puppy: do things gently and very deliberately. Do not forget that puppies are capable of doing sudden things and can move quickly out of your arms and so fall. This is very dangerous. Adult Pugs seem to do best on two meals a day; to be really fit they should be well covered but not fat, and the muscles should be hard. Begin the day by giving your Pug a drink of sweetened milk and a dry biscuit.

At midday it should have about 3 oz of cooked meat, minced or cut fine. In the evening a little less meat and a small handful of puppy biscuit meal, prepared by soaking in stock at least one hour before using, should be given. This should not be sloppy, but soaked so that all the stock is absorbed. Puppies up to five months old still need a milky breakfast; thereafter two meat meals, like the older Pugs, are sufficient. A drink of milk at tea time is also good for them.

The smooth, short-haired coat is easy to groom. Brush and comb with a firm bristle brush and shampoo only when necessary. After bathing, dry him quickly and thoroughly to prevent chill. The creases on the face must be cleaned regularly. This breed is a seasonally heavy shedder. Pugs are strong dogs with short straight legs. They need to be taken on daily walks. They enjoy energetic games and will keep in better health if given regular exercise. But be careful not to over do it, especially if you see them start to wheeze.