Overview
A Pug's wrinkles are one of the amazing standout features of this incredible breed. Out of the 300+ different dog breeds that exist, only a handful have natural wrinkles, making the Pug very unique. Opposite to some breeds that were developed to have skin folds to help fend off possible wild animal attacks, this is not so with the Pug. This breed was spoiled and cherished as an indoor companion and it is believed that Pugs have wrinkles simply for aesthetic purposes, i.e. it looks adorable.
This article will cover:
Pug Wrinkle Care
- The importance of keeping your Pug's wrinkles clean and dry with step-by-step instructions.
Wrinkle infections
- This is a common issue seen with Pugs; causes, symptoms, and treatment options.
Anatomy of a Pug's Wrinkles
A Pug's wrinkles are found primarily on the forehead and around the muzzle. The pattern of the wrinkles are unique to each dog and vary in exact location, length, and depth.
Both black and non-black Pugs have wrinkles, though these may be more noticeable on fawns and, of course, the thumbprint is only applicable to fawns.
When there is a black smudge of fur in the middle of the forehead wrinkles, this is known as a thumbprint (or thumb mark) and is a very desired physical traits in conformation show rings.
Wrinkles on Pug Puppies vs Adults
All Pugs have some level of wrinkles but this is
something that develops and becomes more pronounced as a Pug matures.
Most newborn Pugs do not have wrinkles; the forehead is smooth. At the 8-week mark, wrinkles may be in any state of development that ranges from not there at all to very noticeable. By the time a Pug is at the 9 to 18-month mark, wrinkles are in place.
Though the appearance of wrinkles on a young puppy is a great indication of the amount that will be present as an adult, this is not so with a lack of wrinkles. A 10-week-old Pug with a rather smooth forehead can mature into an 18-month old with lots of deep folds.
Because wrinkles are a genetic feature, seeing the extent of wrinkles on both sire and dam can give you a good idea about how many wrinkles a Pug will have; however, genetic traits like this can jump generations.
Let's look at some photo examples of Pugs at various ages and various development of facial wrinkles: