Hi , would like to know at what age is appropriate to start studding a male pug ? Mine is 13 months old at the min , but not sure when is the right time ?

Once he has had any health testing required and has proved himself to be an asset to the breed with his type and temperament you may find that breeders will approach you to use him. Bitch owners will be watching and taking note of him and if they like him and his blood lines and think that he could enhance their lines then you may find you get enquiries. He is quite old enough physically to sire a litter.
However (And I apologize before I write this if it is not pertinent to you ) if you just want to make a few quid and don't care about such things then possibly you are asking the question on the wrong forum.
Aileen

Ok I understand , how do I go about getting the necessary health checks ? Do I use my vet or is there another way to go about it ? It's all new to me , I need to know the process and right places to " show " my dog off to potential breeders .

You could start be approaching your dogs breeder. Also it would be worth joining a breed club if you are not already a member. The vet is not the best place to start with as it is not just a "Health Checkup" you need but specific breed relevant testing.
Do you show your Pug ? Thats is your shop window so to speak, Some breeds are worked and the working field is their shop window but for you its the show ring.
Maybe someone here knows better the health testing required for a pug, I am sorry its not my breed.

Thank you for you're advise , it's much apriciated .

Welcome to the forum chriswba Did you see this article in the FAQ forum: Should I offer my dog at Stud?

Don't know where you are in the country but if you can get there this would be ideal for you.

http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/health/events-seminars-and-surveys/bulldog-pug-health-improvement-day/

Thank you

Tests apart (and that would depend on the age when testing can be done), most breeders (and this is in my breed) would start teaching a potential stud dog his 'trade' by around a year.   Using him on a suitable bitch of their own first to see what he produces.   After that first go, they'd then rest him off from stud work, and concentrate on a show career and if he's successful enough, maybe offer him at limited stud 'to approved bitches'.   Having a stud dog is almost as much a responsibility (some might say more given how much many popular studs have on a breed, especially if over-used!) as having a producing female.

But as always, ONLY top quality dogs should ever be used in a breeding programme.   Otherwise it's far better to keep them as a much-loved pet.   And there's always the very real possibility that once used, he will be looking for the next one always.   Opening Pandora's Box.

The person you should be in touch with re stud work, is his breeder (assuming they are reputable knowledgeable people).   Other than the show ring to test his quality, again provided they are honest, the breeder should assess your male now he's through the puppy stages and tell you whether in their opinion, he's worthy of being used at stud (and about the testing needed for his breed, which would be more than just a health check by a vet).   You should be aware that knowledgeable breeders with bitches may well prefer to go to the sire of your dog - if that sire is throwing good offspring.  And there's another thing - good breeders don't sell their immature stock without endorsments which will have to be lifted, by them, before any puppies they produce can be KC Registered.   If he's good enough (superior to anything she has in her kennel) she might be interested in using him herself.

Pugs are recommended to be tested under the Hemivertebrae Scheme. By the sound of it You have your vet take two xrays of your pugs spine from different angles then send them to the specialist for checking.
http://pugdogclub.org.uk/about-pugs/pugs-health/hemivertebrae-scheme/
The club may be able to tell you if there are any other testing they recommend as well.

A big thing to keep in mind is the type of bitch owner your boy will attract. Your breed is sadly very popular with people breeding with irresponsible breeders who breed with little knolege to get pups to sell not caring where they end up. No responsible stud owner would want to add to this so you will need to be sure any bitch owner who approach you are not one of them.
A responsible breeder will be intrested in things like good health testing, your dogs blood lines (pedigree), his temperament and that he is a good example of his breed and will have a reason for picking him beyond just having pup (like he ties in with there line, he can correct a fault in their girl). They often find these dogs in the show ring or threw other responsible breeders. Where as the irresponsible ones are normaly just after the closest or cheapest stud.

Excellent post JoStockbridge. Very true. This is why few responsible owners of potential stud dogs advertise them, as you are likely to get the wrong type of breeder interested. I.e. the type that will pick the one closest to where they live etc. When you get your male dogs out and about and seen at shows, they get seen by the RIGHT people.

Yeah when I was looking for a stud I was looking at the ones being shown as showing my girl has taught me what she is lacking from her critic's and I can read up what judges thought of the males i liked. Also taking advice from my girls breeder as they know who has what boys that they arnt showing at the moment. They also know which lines/dogs I may wish to avoid for my girl and which ones they would recommend.