What Is Your Pug Really Thinking?

A furry little comedian whose only job is to make you smile.

Pug temperament and personality

The Pug is an even-tempered, affectionate charmer bred for centuries as a companion, and it shows in every wag and snuffle. Sociable, playful and mischievous, Pugs live to be around their people and will follow you devotedly from room to room. They have a wonderful sense of fun and a talent for clowning, yet they are also happy to spend long stretches simply lounging on a warm lap. Generally friendly with everyone, including children, strangers and other pets, they are lovers rather than fighters. That said, they can be stubborn and are notoriously food-driven. As flat-faced dogs they struggle in heat and with hard exercise, so they need careful management. Loving, comical and endlessly companionable, the Pug asks only for your attention, a soft seat and a share of your snacks.

• Comical - A born clown who plays up to an audience and loves the laughs.
• Affectionate - A devoted lap dog that treats cuddling as a full-time role.
• Sociable - Friendly with children, strangers and other animals alike.
• Stubborn - Charming right up until it decides not to cooperate.
• Food-driven - Would sell state secrets for a single dropped biscuit.
• Adaptable - Content in a flat, happy with short, sensible walks.

Typical Pug quirks and behaviour

Pugs are a one-dog orchestra of snorts, snuffles, grunts and dramatic sighs, and they snore with real commitment. They shadow their owners everywhere and often insist on physical contact, wedging themselves against you or claiming your lap regardless of comfort. Many do the head tilt and the wide-eyed stare to devastating effect, especially near food, and few beggars are as persistent. They love a warm spot and will hunt down sunbeams and radiators with unerring accuracy. Plenty greet you with the zoomies and a comical wiggle, and most treat rain and cold with theatrical disdain. Behind all the clowning is a dog utterly delighted just to be with you.

What is your Pug really thinking?

A Pug's thoughts revolve around three simple pleasures: your company, comfort and food, not necessarily in that order. Their guiding wish is to be near you and part of whatever you are doing, and much of their inner life is really about staying close and staying comfortable. There is a shrewd, greedy streak too, so a good deal of Pug thinking is dedicated to the eternal question of when the next snack might appear and how best to charm it out of you. They are natural entertainers who seem genuinely pleased when they make you laugh. Above all, a Pug simply wants to be loved, warm and fed, and to give plenty of love back.

Scan your Pug free and our AI reads their face to tell you the exact thought behind that look.

Are Pugs intelligent?

Pugs are reasonably intelligent but their stubborn, easily distracted nature means they are not the quickest to train. Their tremendous love of food is the secret weapon, as almost any Pug will work hard for a tasty reward. Keep sessions short, fun and generously treated, and watch the waistline while you do it. House-training can take patience. With gentle consistency and plenty of motivation, Pugs learn well and clearly enjoy the attention that training brings.

Pugs with families

Pugs are superb family companions, gentle and patient with children and sociable with other pets. Their sturdy, easy-going nature suits family life, though their comfort-loving temperament means they prefer cuddles to rough games. They crave company and dislike being left alone, so they suit busy households. Owners must take real care in warm weather, as their flat faces make them vulnerable to overheating, but as affectionate, low-exercise companions they are hard to beat.

Frequently asked questions