Top 10 how much does a female pug cost You Need To Know

There are many factors to consider when deciding to welcome a new dog into your life. Questions about a particular breed’s size, temperament, quirks, shedding tendencies, and grooming and exercise requirements should all be well researched before a final decision is made.

One important question, and one of the most frequently asked, is, “How much do they cost?” Compared to dogs of mixed lineage, purebred puppies can be a bit pricey. If you’ve been considering the ever-popular Pug as your next new four-legged friend, how much can you expect to pay?

How much does a Pug cost? While some Pugs can be found for less than $1,000, prices for a well-bred Pug from a reputable breeder generally run between $1,500 and $2,500. Factors such as the breeder’s reputation and the color, age, and pedigree of the puppies will influence the price.

Let’s take a closer look at the various factors that affect a puppy’s price and learn how to identify a quality breeder or to find an adoptable Pug that is in need of a fresh start.

Actual Pug Prices

Many breeders don’t like to share pricing information until after you’ve filled out a lengthy application form which can make the puppy decision process quite frustrating. To make things easier for you, we put together the following table of actual breeders and their prices so you’ll know roughly what to expect.

What Factors Impact a Pug’s Price?

As you can see, the price of a Pug can vary quite a bit. The question is, why?

The Breeder’s Reputation and Experience

The best Pug breeders have years of experience with the breed and dependably produce puppies who strictly adhere to the breed standard. By selling high-quality, healthy puppies and making a name for themselves in the Pug community, their reputation should precede them. The years of dedication and service to the breed lead to higher prices, as they should.

On the other hand, new breeders who are still learning the ropes and may not have any show winnings under their belt yet may offer their puppies at lower, more competitive prices.

Color

The American Kennel Club’s Pug standards dictate that show quality Pugs should only be fawn or black. The term “fawn” covers a multitude of shades and variations and colors ranging from light cream to deep apricot can be registered as fawn.

Other colors have recently become available in the past decade or so and usually result in a higher price tag. Colors such as blue, chocolate, and white are gaining popularity as are various coat patterns like merle and brindle. Usually, the rarer the color is, the more expensive the puppy will be.

Tests Performed on Parents

The Pug Dog Club of America recommends several tests to be performed on potential parent dogs prior to breeding. An Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) evaluation should be done to screen for hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, elbow dysplasia, and eye health. A DNA test to determine the risk of necrotizing meningoencephalitis and pyruvate kinase deficiency is also recommended.

Any Pug breeder that truly cares about the breed will perform these tests on all of their breeding dogs and will allow the results to be available on public databases. The health tests are not free, so litters that result from properly screened parents are often a bit more expensive.

Pedigree of Puppy

A Pug whose parents, grandparents, and beyond have an impressive number of show winnings and titles will carry a heftier price tag than one from good, but not championship, bloodlines.

Show Quality Versus Pet Quality

The average prices discussed here are only for pet Pug prices. Show-quality dogs of any breed are much more expensive than those destined for a companion role only. You can expect to pay upwards of $4,000 for a show-quality Pug.

Age

Generally, the closer the puppy is to 2 – 3 months of age, the more expensive they are. On the rare occasion that a puppy is not sold during this time frame, the price is often reduced.

Some, but not all, breeders will sell their older Pugs once they’ve retired from the breeding program. These older Pugs can make wonderful pets and are usually much less expensive than a just-weaned puppy.

Infrequent Breeding

Many of the best Pug breeders only breed their dogs when they are interested in producing new show prospects. The resulting puppies who aren’t quite show quality will then be offered for sale as pets. Because they are not pumping out as many pups as possible for profit, availability is low, but the quality is high – as is the price tag.

What to Look For In a Quality Breeder

Responsible, high-quality breeders will all meet the same general criteria and will most importantly always put the best interest of their puppies first. Here’s what you should expect to see in a trust-worthy breeder:

• All dogs are well cared for, friendly, and live in the house with the breeder’s family.
• Facilities are clean, odor-free, spacious, and comfortable.
• Documentation of health screenings are made available to the public.
• A contract outlining your responsibilities is required.
• Time is taken to educate you on the breed and puppy care.
• Questions are asked to determine if you can provide a loving, permanent home for the puppy.
• Glowing client testimonials.
• Membership in breed clubs and participation in at least some breed events.
• Early socialization of the puppies has already begun.

Common Red Flags

If you note any of the following when speaking with or meeting a Pug breeder, it is an indication of a poor breeder and it’s probably wise to look elsewhere.

• A reluctance or refusal to allow you to visit their home, meet their other dogs or view the puppies’ living quarters.
• A large number of dogs are kept on the premises and/or dogs are unfriendly, appear unhealthy, or are fearful of people.
• No paperwork is involved in the sale.
• No genetic tests or health screens are performed before breeding, or breeder refuses to share test results.

Where to Buy a Pug

Of course, a quick online search for Pug breeders in your state will show you your local options, but the Pug Dog Club of America, the AKC Marketplace are worth investigating if you’re interested in top quality, approved breeders.

Other sites to check for breeders near you include PuppyFind.com, Breeders.net, and Next Day Pets. Pug groups on major social media sites such as Facebook can often help put you in contact with a reputable breeder in your area.

Can I Adopt a Rescued Pug?

Absolutely! Other than all-breed adoption sites like Adopt-a-Pet.com, Petfinder, and Rescue Me!, there are many rescue groups across the country that deal solely with Pugs.

The Pug Dog Club of America offers a long list of Pug rescue organizations from many states. Also, check with the DFW Pug Rescue Club as they are a large group that rescues Pugs from all over the country.

Adoption fees typically run between $150 and $400 and do not come close to covering the costs of an average rescue. Consider donating to one of the groups to enable them to continue to save precious Pug lives.

Related Questions

What is the life expectancy for a Pug?

The average lifespan for a Pug is 12 – 15 years. To help ensure that your Pug enjoys a high-quality life well into his golden years be sure that he receives optimal nutrition, routinely heads to the vet for a thorough check-up, gets frequent short intervals of exercise, and is showered with love and attention daily.

Are Pugs good family dogs?

Yes. Pugs are loving, playful, even-tempered, and often comical little dogs who bond easily with all members of the family. They are full of personality and are known to be consistently gentle and patient with children. They are not as delicate as other toy breeds, and when they aren’t snoozing they’ll be more than ready for some fun.