The parent breed club, rather than the American Kennel Club (AKC), which acts in other ways in the dog show world, determines the breed standard for any dog breed in America. In the case of Pugs the Pug Dog Club of America determined the breed standard. It is only that club, as well as the efforts of ethical breeders, that can get any changes done for future Pugs. Pugs are small dogs with pushed-in faces and very curly tails.

There is controversy that a breed of dog like the Pug should no longer be bred because they are totally dependent on people for survival. Because of their short noses and wrinkly faces, they are often unable to even clean themselves. Many Pugs also have great breathing problems. But currently, the following is the current breed standard for all Pugs, whether they are dependent on their people for survival or not.
The controversial but magnetically adorable head of the Pug should be round and solid, not apple-shaped. Ideally, the face should be flat, but there are many Pugs with longer noses than the breed standard allows. The eyes are large, bright and always black. The face and head should be covered in wrinkles. The nose should be button or sometime rose shaped. The ears are smooth, small for the head, thin and feel like velvet. The lower jaw should be longer than the upper jaw (called an undershot bite). The tongue is usually sticking out of the mouth.

The Pug's body should be sturdy, cobby and a bit on the round side. It should be proportional to the head. The legs look just a little too small for the body, but not short like a Dachshund's. Many pet Pugs will have longer legs than the breed standard allows. They should stand about ten or eleven inches high at the shoulder and weigh anywhere from fourteen to seventeen pounds.
The Pug officially only comes in three colors, but petPugs often have smudged or indistinct colors and sometimes small patches of white. Show Pugs have very distinct colors that don’t blur into each other. The three official colors are all black, fawn with a black facemask and silver. The latter is very rare, which is a kind of light gray with a black facemask. Pet Pugs often have dewclaws, while show Pugs do not.

Pug information such as the breed standard will also be clear on recognizing a Pug by temperament as well as bodily features. Unless a Pug has been severely abused, they won’t turn vicious. They are, for the most part, friendly, charming, very personable and get along with all kinds of species. They seem to thrive on being stared at and adored. Pugs will often seem to smile when they are pleased with how they have blessed the world with their presence.

A purebredPug can be found available for adoption from a Pug breed rescue. If people knew basicPug information before they bring a puppy home there would be a lot fewer abandoned Pugs.