Customer Reviews

Pugs: Everything About Purchase, Care, Nutrition, Breeding, Behavior, and Training With 43 Color Photographs (Complete Pet Owner's Manual)

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Does anyone else hate when pug books have pictures of other breeds, like Dobermans, when they're trying to explain things like training? Well, I do. But I can truthfully say that this pug book is the best, dealing only with pugs, and picturing only pugs, in all their snub-nosed glory. It is easy to understand, yet detailed enough to satisfy both young as well as adult readers. Wonderful job!!

This was the first book on pugs I bought. It is really all about pugs and was written by a pug breeder and lover. Lots of great pictures. Specific and honest information about pugs, their common health problems, how to train them, etc. The authors includes some cute stories about his pugs and their antics. This is a good introduction.

This book is only about pugs. It's not a generic dog book with the name "pug" plugged in -- as were two books I bought before I found this one. The author owns pugs, loves them, and knows all about them. He also has a great sense of humor. Pugs are a unique breed and this book has a lot of information specific to pugs. Great pictures!

Well, not really. However, this should be the first Pug book you buy, and it may be the only one you will need. Not only is it helpful, it has some great stories about the author's own Pugs. Buy this book before you buy your Pug.

This book offers a Pug owners tons excellent, useful information at a great price. Perfect for new and experienced pug owners and you can carry just about anywhere because of its size.

First, a little background on my experience with pugs: My husband and I have owned (or rather, been owned) by pugs for more than 15 years now. We love them dearly: they make us laugh every day and accompany us everywhere, from our hikes in the woods to a weekend in Carmel. They are friendly, spunky, reliable dogs who we utterly trust with both elderly relatives and children of all ages. They are clever and all of ours have passed basic obedience with flying colors, although they can be stubborn! Pugs are gluttons and are mainly motivated by food, so you have to keep an eye on their weight. But for anyone who is considering purchasing a pug, there are things you should know in advance, especially about their possible health issues.

All of our pugs have been from Pug Rescue, and so came to us with various physical problems and emotional baggage. The emotional issues are easily handled in pugs with affection, discipline and exercise (see:Cesar Milan). Plus, all pugs really want to do is love and be loved, so once you have met that need, they become much more emotionally stable no matter what they have been through.

Physically, however, pugs are prone to all sorts of troubles, many not so easily remedied. Here is a brief list of what we have run into: luxating patellas, dry eye, stenotic nares, nosefold and ear infections, bladder infections, food and skin allergies, immune-mediated polyarthritis, abraded corneas, interdigital cysts; the list goes on.
Even pug puppies from "good" breeders can have these issues. A couple of our rescue pugs have been from "backyard breeders," people who just breed pugs without really knowing what they are doing. But one of our pugs came from a stellar breeder in L.A. who charges $1200 per puppy (don't ask how this pug came into rescue -- it's a long story) and that pup had serious medical issues too.

All this by way of saying, a pug is a major investment. You may get one that is super healthy, but you may not. Phil Maggitti's book is an extremely helpful "first-glance" book for both people who are considering getting a pug and those who already have one or more. That is, the book is a wonderful introduction to the many aspects of pug ownership. Maggitti does discuss the medical issues but he also does a fantastic job explaining the pug personality, which is not easy to capture! He is a very good writer, and there were times when I found myself laughing out loud at some of his stories, and nodding in agreement at other times. And all this in such a slim volume! This is a gem of a book that no pug person should be without.

One more thing: if you are considering purchasing a pug, you should know that they SHED. They shed TONS, a fact that many breed books will not share with you. Not only do they shed, but their fur (especially the fawns) is barbed, so it sticks onto clothing and upholstery with remarkable tenacity. We have worn out many a vacuum in our quest to subdue the pug hair, but it continues to overwhelm us on a regular basis. I mention this only because a good number of pugs are turned in to rescue because the owner claims "I didn't know they shed so much. I thought shorthaired dogs didn't shed!" Not so. Trust me! If you can get past the tumbleweeds of fuzz, though, pugs really are the best, sweetest, funniest, most loveable dogs you could ever hope to share your life with. We adore them, and so does Phil Maggitti!

LOVED IT! Of the many books, magazines, and articles this is the one I keep referring back to. As the first time owner of a pug puppy it answered ALL my questions and helped immensely with the first few days adjustment. A must have that talks specifically about PUGS, a special breed in many ways.

Maggitti relates (with a wonderful sense of humor) the joys and trials of living with a pug. He clearly delineates the drawbacks (massive shedding, snoring and breed specific ailments) and the rewards (which are delightfully numerous) of making a pug your best friend. Has lovely pictures, and is short and to the point -- the best information in a concise (but more than sufficient) and entertaining form.

Don't be fooled by this small paperback book. It is packed with lots of great pug information in an easy to understand format. Anyone interested in getting a pug should read this book first. And if you're already a pug lover you'll love the photos and might even learn some things you didn't know.

We have recently brought a pug into our family. Both my husband and I had not had a pug before, so we needed to do some research about the breed. After hitting the bookstores we found that this book is one of the only books on Pugs that spends the whole pug on pugs. The is a wealth of great information and fun pictures of rolly polly pugs. Make sure to read the funny story about the impatient pug stuck in the car.