I've had Poodles all my life and we've never owned another breed but my daughter (20) who lives with us and works from home fell in love with Pugs when she was a child.  We have resisted all her requests for one, mainly on the grounds it isn't a Poodle (sorry) but the time will probably be right for one within the next year.  I have lots of contacts in Poodles, none in Pugs.

Obviously she will look for a breeder who shows, health tests and breeds and rears the puppies well.  She was at Belfast Champ show yesterday and was blown away with the quality of show Pugs in comparison with the dogs she sees locally and through work (she's a groomer).  She spoke to quite a few exhibitors who were lovely to chat to and spent ages with the dogs.  So she came home even more determined.

What I'd like to know is there a breed club here in Northern Ireland as I imagine that will be our first port of call looking for a breeder, also what are the health tests we should be asking about?  Finally just what are Pugs like to live with, train, house train etc?  I feel in love with Poodles initially through their looks and I know this has been her starting point with Pugs but there is much more than just looks to consider!

Oh the dogs are never alone there is always an adult here all day and youngest child is nearly sixteen.

Thank you

Hopefully Gwen will be along and she may be able to help you.

Pugs are fantastic family pets, but don't be fooled into the "Fat and lazy" hype which a lot of people think about when they think Pug.  They can be very active and very speedy!  (We do agility displays with ours :) ).  They are very outgoing, comic and forceful, they think the owrld revolves around them, which of course it does, once you have a pug.  Warning, they are collectable, very few people finish with only 1 - extras ones always seem to come along sooner or later. 

I don't think there is an official Pug Club of NI, but there are some good pug breeders over there (our first bitch was actually NI bred)  if you want to PM me I will check catalogues and have an ask around.  Essential health test is Xray for HV, lots of breeders are also DNA testing for PDE too.  Very important to look for Mum and Dad with nice, wide open nostrils and not too exagerated a nose roll - certainly not one which overlaps the nostrils.

Living with?  They always want to be with you, doing what you are doing.  Extremely loving, can be stubborn!  Training?  You can train a pug to do as much as it wants, it varies from pug to pug.  Much can be achieved with bribery and lavish praise :)  Our "star performers" in the Pugility team respond to commands for all the different equipment and also know "left" and "right" even when going at top speed,  but some of my at home pugs answer to their name and not a lot else :)   They seem to watch and react to TV more than other breeds, commenting loudly on cartoons, sports, animal programmes and many ads!   Down side - they are very prone to wind, common sense needed in hot weather, they love to sunbathe for hours, on even the hottest day, but vigorous excercise on very sunny days needs closes monitoring.

Thank you for all your wonderful information :)

I love that they're not fat and lazy as my daughter and husband walk the dogs for miles most days and I was concerned a pug wouldn't fit into this regime.  I worry they can become collectable!  My daughter has a thing for guinea pigs too!  I always thought they looked determined little characters and imagined they could be a challenge to train but she is very good with training and takes ownership very seriously.  I love your comment that you can train a pug to do as much as it wants, bit like a husband really lol!

I'll send a PM, thanks Gwen

With regard to "fat and lazy"  I know someone who competes in agility with her pugs and she was at last year´s World Agility show in the west of England.  http://www.theflyingpugs.com/#!what-is-pug-training-agility/c1vw1  Obviously her dogs are not fat or lazy although I would have no idea how well bred they may be for showing purposes.  By the way, she´s not a breeder herself but I thought you may be interested to see pugs from another angle.

Thank you, I will show her this, the last thing she'll want is a 'fat lazy' dog she's very active and so are our dogs.  I would say she'll buy one from a show breeder and do a little showing but the dog will be part of the family. Agility looks good too :)

Watching this thread with a lot of interest. I love pugs and they'd be a nice size for our family when we look for a second addition (not for a few years yet!)

Hi

If you can forward me your email i can pass it onto a fellow pug friend and an extremely experienced pug show/breeder who is based in Ireland. I'm sure she will give you loads of help and a list of well known breeders over there.
Her pugs are a perfect example of the breed and doing extremely well in the show ring, not only that shes very nice and helpful which is always a bonus :)

Laure's Flying Pugs are terrific, but here in the UK we have the Pugility Pugs: http://www.pugility.co.uk/.  Niko, our team superstar is Ag. grade 5 and has a Silver  Agility warrant.  The others are only just starting to compete, and we have a team in training who will be attempting to qualify for the team even at Crufts.  Currently 28 pugs in the Pugility club up here in the North East, as we are in contact with other agility pugs around the UK.  They absolutley love it!  You should hear the squeals and squeaks of excitement!

what a lovely positive post. Good luck with your new dog when you get it. Yes Josh never though of pug as a suggestion for you family. Also relatively sturdy to live with Nando although I know he is a gentle boy

He's been out with one of my client's cocker puppies today and I would not describe them as gentle! The cocker just wants to wrestle constantly and Nando was more than happy to oblige!!

my mum has a pug who is 9 and she still manages to keep up with larger dogs she is full of energy and like nothing more than a good run with a swim in the local park