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Before you choose a Pug puppy, decide whether your household is prepared for the breed’s breathing and other health risks, then verify the parents’ screening records. The Royal Kennel Club recommends respiratory function grading and eye testing as good practice for Pugs, and lists PDE DNA and hip testing as best practice. Use these 15 checks to assess the puppy, the breeder, and the paperwork before committing; they are a practical guide, not an official standard.
1. Decide whether a Pug is right for your household
Pugs are brachycephalic, meaning their short, broad skull shape can be associated with health problems. PDSA describes the breed as severely brachycephalic and advises thinking carefully before buying or rescuing one. Consider whether you are comfortable with the possibility of additional care and veterinary attention before you begin looking for a puppy.
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2. Understand the health concerns you need to assess
Some Pugs have problems linked to their facial structure and other conformational features. Breathing, eyes, skin folds, and teeth are all relevant topics to raise with a breeder. The Royal Kennel Club notes that flat-faced dogs vary, so a breed label or a puppy’s appearance alone cannot tell you what its health will be.
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The World Veterinary Association warns that brachycephalic features can seriously affect a dog’s health and quality of life and may lead to expensive veterinary care. Think through your capacity to manage possible extra care and costs; the available guidance does not establish a universal cost estimate.
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4. Check the rules where you live
Before paying a deposit or signing anything, check your government’s current requirements for puppy sales, transfer age, breeder licensing, contracts, and sale documents. These rules vary by jurisdiction, and there is no single age or paperwork checklist that applies everywhere.
5. Look for an open, health-focused breeder
Choose a breeder who is willing to discuss the health of the parents, answer questions, show screening records, and arrange a visit. The Royal Kennel Club advises buyers to ask about parental health and see certificates for screening tests. Treat marketing claims as unverified until you have seen the relevant records.
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6. Meet a parent and ask about the other
Ask to meet the puppy’s mother and, if feasible, see the father too. If the father is not available, ask for his health information and test records. The American Kennel Club’s general responsible-breeder guidance recommends visiting and seeing at least one parent.
7. Request BOAS test results for both parents
Ask whether both parents have been assessed through the Royal Kennel Club’s Respiratory Function Grading Scheme, which assesses dogs for brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS). The Royal Kennel Club specifically advises Pug puppy buyers to ensure both parents have been tested. Request the records rather than relying on a verbal assurance.
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8. Ask what the respiratory grades mean
Discuss each parent’s result with the breeder and ask for clarification if you do not understand it. Under the Royal Kennel Club scheme, grade 3 indicates a dog with clinical BOAS signs; the scheme guidance advises veterinary examination and treatment. A grade is a screening result, not a substitute for a veterinarian’s assessment.
9. Ask for the parents’ eye-screening records
The Royal Kennel Club lists eye testing as good-practice pre-breeding screening for Pugs. Ask to see the records for both breeding dogs and clarify what test was done and when. A puppy’s eyes looking clear during a visit does not establish that its parents were screened.
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10. Ask about PDE and hip testing
The Royal Kennel Club lists PDE DNA testing and hip dysplasia screening as best-practice tests for Pugs. Ask whether each parent was tested and request the results. These recommendations are distinct from the scheme’s good-practice respiratory and eye tests.
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11. Ask about breathing history and listen during the visit
Ask whether either parent has had breathing difficulties, veterinary treatment, or limitations linked to breathing. When you observe the parents, note loud breathing, snoring while awake, wheezing, or snorting. The Royal Kennel Club’s flat-faced puppy guidance identifies these as signs to discuss; listening does not replace documented grading or veterinary examination.
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12. Observe whether the parents’ nostrils are open
Look for nostrils that appear open rather than tightly closed. This is an observation to inform your questions, not a clinical test. Ask the breeder about any breathing concerns even if a dog’s nostrils look open.
13. Ask about skin, teeth, and eyes
Ask whether either parent has had skin-fold infections, dental crowding, or eye problems. You can also observe the puppy for obvious skin or eye concerns without trying to perform an invasive examination. Red, itchy, or smelly skin in folds and sore, red, or cloudy eyes are reasons to ask questions and seek veterinary advice.
14. Review the records and get veterinary advice
Review the puppy’s and both parents’ health information before finalizing the purchase. If a result is missing, unclear, or concerning, ask your veterinarian to help interpret it. A brief meeting or visual check cannot settle a medical question.
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15. Make the decision only when the evidence and paperwork are clear
Proceed only if you are satisfied with the screening records, the breeder’s answers, the care plan, and the local sale paperwork. If anything important remains uncertain, pause rather than paying under pressure and continue your search.
How to compare Pug breeders and puppies
| What to compare | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Verifiable health screening | Records for both parents’ BOAS grading and eye tests; ask about PDE DNA and hip testing. |
| Breathing and conformation | Listen for concerning breathing sounds, observe nostril openness, and ask about features associated with health concerns. |
| Transparency and access | Willingness to discuss parental health, show records, and let you meet at least the mother or another parent. |
| Care implications | Realistic discussion of possible extra attention and veterinary expense. |
Do not choose on registration, promotional language, coat color, or a low price alone. Health evidence and the breeder’s transparency are more useful grounds for comparison.
Quick Recap
Questions to take to a breeder
- Have both parents been tested under the Respiratory Function Grading Scheme, and can I see the results?
- What do the parents’ respiratory grades mean, and has either needed veterinary assessment or treatment?
- Can I see the parents’ eye-screening records?
- Have the parents had PDE DNA testing and hip screening?
- Have either parent or the puppy had breathing, skin-fold, dental, or eye problems?
- Can I meet the puppy’s mother, and can I see the father or review his records?
- What sale paperwork applies where I live?
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