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Pug Dog Age & Growth

Pug dog with birthday hat

How a Pug Ages

We've all heard it before, that a dog ages 7 years for each human year. However, in regard to toy dogs such as the Pug the aging process is much different.

You may know your Pug's birthday, but do you know how old your he or she really is in comparison to humans?

One important element to understanding the actual age of your dog is so that you can adjust such things as feeding and exercise.

An energetic adolescent will have much different needs than a senior.
In addition, an older dog will have a higher risk for certain health ailments and diseases. As a responsible owner, you can keep an eye out for certain symptoms that would point to an impending health issue. See: Pug dog health problems

Pug Dog Age Chart

The rate at which a dog matures is calculated on his size. Toys age at a faster rate than large breeds. Age equivalency is also based, roughly, on a dog's life span. A rough estimation in the way that a Pug ages is done in the following way:

1 Years old = The equivalent of 15 human years
2 = 23
3 = 28
4 = 31
5 = 35
6 = 38
7 = 42
8 = 45
9 = 49
10 = 52
11 = 56
12 = 59
13 = 68
14 = 72
15 = 63
16 = 66
17 = 70
18 = 74
Punk and Star 
Photo courtesy of The Kuney's
If you have had your Pug for a while, it may be hard to believe that your 12 year old dog is the equivalent age of 59 human years; however this is a guideline that refers to the breakdown of the body's ability to fend off disease, level of exercise a dog is able to handle and so forth. An owner can have a Pug in this teens that still loves to run around the park!

Pug Dog Maturity And Milestone Chart

Your Pug is going to grow up fast. Let's look at the milestones that a Pug will enter from birth until the senior years.
Pug dog age chart
Birth to 8 Weeks - Many owners do not see this stage, however newborn Pug puppies double and triple their weight very quickly. Newborns will sleep up to 22 hours per day. Those at the 8 week mark will sleep up to 18. 

8 Weeks - A puppy is ready for his or her new, loving home. Growth is going to be rapid.

3 to 4 months -  A Pug starts teething at this age. It will last several months. 

4 to 6 months - The Pug dog enters puberty at this age. Females will have their first heat if not spayed. Males will have viable sperm. 

Though technically a female can become pregnant at this young age, breeding is recommended at the age of 1 year old or older. Males should be at least 9 months old. 

9 months - Growth slows. Some Pug puppies will stop growing by the age of 9 months. For others, just a few pounds will be gained from now until the 12 month mark. 
Pug dog age chart
Pug dog age chart
Birth to 8 Weeks - Many owners do not see this stage, however newborn Pug puppies double and triple their weight very quickly. Newborns will sleep up to 22 hours per day. Those at the 8 week mark will sleep up to 18. 

8 Weeks - A puppy is ready for his or her new, loving home. Growth is going to be rapid.

3 to 4 months -  A Pug starts teething at this age. It will last several months. 

4 to 6 months - The Pug dog enters puberty at this age. Females will have their first heat if not spayed. Males will have viable sperm. 

Though technically a female can become pregnant at this young age, breeding is recommended at the age of 1 year old or older. Males should be at least 9 months old. 

9 months - Growth slows. Some Pug puppies will stop growing by the age of 9 months. For others, just a few pounds will be gained from now until the 12 month mark. 
1 Year - At the age of 1-year-old, a Pug is deemed an adult, although he or she may still display puppy-like tendencies. During these first 12 months, a Pug will have reached 90% of his or her height and 80% of his or her weight.  

1 Year to 18 Months - A Pug dog becomes an adult at the age of 1 year old. By the time, full height is usually reached. The adult Pug will fill out in width, most noticeable in the chest area. The dog is muscular and will not grow any larger. Extra weight gain at this point may be deemed unhealthy. Pugs that gain a significant amount of weight after the age of 18 months should be checked out by the veterinarian.

1.5 Years to 7 Years - Size is set as the dog is now full grown. The Pug dog is muscular and in his or her prime.

7 Years to 8 Years - There is no exact age that a dog is declared to be a senior, this is done by the veterinarian who is familiar with the dog's health history. Most vets will classify a dog as a senior by age 7 or 8. Even if this is not officially done, 9 years would be the limit that one could hold off on dubbing the Pug a senior. 

Pug Weight and Growth Chart

This chart will give you a guideline for what to expect in how fast your Pug grows and how quickly he will gain weight.
  • An 8 week old Pug puppy will weight between 2 and 4 pounds (.90 and 1.81 kg) 
  • A 6 month old Pug will weight between 7 and 12 pounds (3.17 and 5.44 kg) 
  • The full grown adult 1 year old Pug will be between 13 and 20+ pounds (5.89 and 9.07+ kg). Though the AKC breed standard gives us a final full size of 13-18 pounds (5.89-8.16 kg) for both males and females, some will be a bit more than that and if over 22 lbs. (9.97) should be checked for possible issues of being overweight. 
Pug dog growth chart
Pug dog growth chart

Some Tips to Care for an Aging Pug

As your Pug dog grows older, there will be changes in regard to care. It's a funny thing because the changes happen gradually and owners usually do not notice...And then, one day it reaches a certain point and the owner will say, "When did my dog get old!?"

One element will be that dogs will not be as fast as they were in their youth. Your dog may show a bit of difficulty when rising from a down position. He or she may walk slower up a staircase. 

A quality canine mattress is recommended for any age, however during the senior years an orthopedic canine bed is more important than ever. Expect an older Pug dog to take more naps and retreat more often due to a lower tolerance for noise levels.

When your dog reaches the age of 8 or 9, it will be time to give a bit more attention to certain grooming techniques. Skin looses its elasticity and cleaning wrinkles will be more important than ever. An older Pug will be more susceptible to infections. Take extra time to clean the folds and keep them dry.

Your Pug's veterinarian should be performing more thorough tests, especially for sugar levels. Eye exams are very important, as well.

Just as with humans, an older Pug may be more susceptible to developing diabetes, arthritis, have problems with joints and their bones may be more brittle. The pounds that they have been carrying around and the body structure that they have (short legs especially) have been taking its toll.  At this age, excess weight be a problem. 

It is recommended to make a gradual change in the diet, to ensure that meals have a higher count of nutrients specifically for aging pets. If you previously gave no-so-healthy snacks, make an effort to change over to a solid, healthy meal and snack plan.  It will be time to make a change in regard to a vitamin and mineral supplement, switching to a senior formula.
Additional supplements can be helpful depending on a Pug's specific needs. Most often, this breed does best with supplements to aid in joint health. Omega 3 can help to keep the skin and coat healthy and combat drying issues.
 
The intensity of exercise should be scaled back a bit for seniors; though daily duration of activity should remain as normal if the older Pug can handle it. It is still important go for walks so that a dog's heart stays healthy; movement is very necessary. However, once your Pug dog is a senior, you do not want to overdo activities as an older heart will not be able to handle what a younger heart was able to.
During the last couple of years life, it is not uncommon for canines to show signs of confusion and/or anxiety. It is during this time that you want to make the household as quite and peaceful as possible. 
 
Unless you absolutely must, do not move your furniture or make any changes that could cause stress or confusion.

Creatures of habit, dogs know where things are and it can be disturbing if the environment is changed.

The ability to hold elimination may weaken as bladder and bowel muscle loose some strength. At this time, you may want to start using doggie diapers.

 As odd as they may look, this will help your Pug and your home stay sanitary. 
If your senior does have accidents, never scold or punish. This is a normal process of aging. A loving owner, will of course, want to spend every moment that is left by showing compassion and care.
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