PUGGAT

Exercise

Puggat is an energetic breed that needs a fair amount of exercise, 45 minutes of heavy exercising schedule will suffice its needs. Activities which will provide mental and physical exercises include fetching games, neighborhood games, agility training and tracking exercises. Also, owners can take them to Dogs Park where they can run and move freely.  To keep them busy one can offer them chews, puzzle toys or training.

Grooming

Puggat’s short coat has low grooming requirements. They do not require frequent bathing, but few times in a year will suffice their requirements. It needs brushing once a week with a slicker brush to remove dead hairs and keep their coat shiny and supple. This breed tends to develop other skin diseases and skin disorders. Therefore, the owners should always check for wrinkles and other problems while brushing.

Other grooming requirements are like other dogs, their ears can catch up infections due to water, dirt buildup and need regular checking to prevent infections and pain. Clean their ears with Vet prescribed ear solution. Like other dogs, they tend to grow nails faster than other breeds which can crack if not appropriately trimmed and hinder regular activities like walking, run, etc. However, cutting them twice a month will serve the purpose. Brush their teeth twice a week to avoid development tartar and oral problems.  Clean their corner of the eyes with a damp cloth to remove tear stains.

Health Problems

Major Problems:

• Pug Dog Encephalitis
• Patellar Luxation
• Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (Dry Eye)

Minor Problems:

• Entropion
• Allergies
• Brachycephalic Syndrome
• Skin Conditions
• Ectropion
• Canine Hip Dysplasia

Occasional Diagnosis:

• Hemivertebra
• Seizures
• Demodicosis
• Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease

Occasional Tests:

• Skin Biopsy or Intradermal Tests for specific allergies
• X-rays or other radiographic imaging
• Skin Evaluation
• Eye Examinations

However, random vet visits and occasional tests will keep the dog healthy and happy.

Training

Puggat is an intelligent breed that is very easy to train. It requires a firm and consistent trainer, as might become stubborn at times. They respond well to positive training methods. It is advisable to keep the training sessions short and varied, it will help them to pick up the tricks quickly.

Socialize them naturally by taking them to different busy places like a supermarket, bus stops busy roads and Dogs Park, etc. It will allow them to meet unknown faces, different sounds and situations and make them more flexible. Also, introduce them to neighbors and friends, if possible set a schedule to meet them weekly.

Obedience training is crucial to reduce the pack of the leader issue. It should know how to respond to regular commands. Also, command training is necessary to polish their skills, enhance the relationship between the dog and the owner. Commands like ‘no,’ ‘yes,’ ’stop,’ ‘come’ are some simple commands which are essential.

Feeding

They do well with a high-quality food or homemade food. But it is essential to visit a dietician or a vet before opting for the food. Generally, 1.5 to 2 cups of dry food is advisable for this breed. But diet should be created depending upon the dog’s size, age, and activity level. The owner should offer them small meals multiple times a day and prevent heavy exercises to minimize the risk. Owners should check their weight level and calorie consumption. If they gain weight reduce table scraps, treats, etc.