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Wrinkles

Pug Wrinkles

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:

Anatomy of a Pug's Wrinkles - A look at where wrinkles are located and the thumbprint that may appear on them. 
Wrinkles on Pug Puppies vs Adults - The age that Pugs develop their wrinkles and how this can vary. 
Various Levels of Wrinkles on Adult Pugs - Photo examples of slight, moderate, and heavy wrinkles on adult Pugs. 
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 

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: 
This is Otis at 3 months old. Though the fur on the forehead is loose, wrinkles have not yet developed, but this will change.
Pug at 3 months old with no wrinkles
photo courtesy of Devashish Khanayat 
This is Otis, now at 8 months old. As you can see, he has some pronounced wrinkles on his forehead, around his eyes, and on the muzzle. 
Pug 8 months old wrinkle comparison
photo courtesy of Devashish 
Khanayat
This is Paddy (same age as Otis in the previous pic, 8 months). There are lots of wrinkles all over the forehead and one over the top of the muzzle. 
Pug at 8 months old with lots of wrinkles
photo courtesy of Gail

Various Levels of Wrinkles on Adult Pugs

In conformation dog shows in which dogs are judged on how closely they match the 'ideal' specimen as outlined in breed standard, wrinkles are expected to be quite visible. The AKC breed standard states 'the wrinkles are large and deep' and the FCI states 'The wrinkles are clearly defined without exaggeration'

This said, pet Pug dogs can have wrinkles ranging from slight to heavy. Let's take a look at three different levels of wrinkles on adult Pugs: 
Slight wrinkles

This is Boomer, at 6 years old. Though this cutie has wrinkles, they are slight when compared to some other Pugs. 
Pug with minor wrinkles
photo courtesy of Akilah
Moderate wrinkles

This is Milo, also at age 6, with a moderate number of wrinkles that are fairly deep. 
Pug with moderate wrinkles
photo courtesy of The Warner Family
Heavy wrinkles

This is Ollie, at age 2 years old. He has lots of large and deep wrinkles over the forehead and face. 
Pug with many heavy wrinkles
 photo courtesy of Debbie Walker
No matter the extent of the wrinkles on your Pug, keeping them clean and dry is important and this aspect will be covered next. 

Pug Wrinkle Care

What to know: 

The wrinkles and skin folds on a Pug need to be kept clean and dry. Tiny bits of food, other fine debris, and moisture (often due to splashes when a Pug drinks water) easily get trapped in the wrinkles. 

If the wrinkles are not regularly cleaned, they can start to smell funky, become irritated (red inflamed areas and usually lots of itching) and can develop skin infections. 

Simply cleaning the wrinkles during baths is not enough. At an absolute minimum, a Pug's wrinkles should be cleaned 3 times per week and ideally you will want to do this every day, up to 3 times per day (after each meal). 

It only takes a few moments and plays a huge role in keeping the wrinkles free of odor, itching, and infections. 
How to Clean a Pug's Wrinkles 
Don't wait until you see foreign matter; get into a schedule of cleaning the wrinkles. Many owners find that doing this after each meal is a good way to remember this important grooming task.  
1) Choose a cleaning method. 

Options include a grooming wipe like Earthbath Facial Wipes for Dogs. These are gentle hypoallergenic pre-moistened cloths that are great for the wrinkle's sensitive skin with both aloe vera and vitamin E. 
And, another good choice is Petpost Wrinkle Wipes for Dogs which are specifically made for breeds with deep wrinkles. These are great at cleaning skin folds and have coconut oil and aloe vera to keep the wrinkles in good shape. 
If you choose to just use a thin washcloth, be sure to only make the cloth damp (not soaked) and add just a few drops of a quality canine shampoo to ensure that the pH level is correct and there are no harsh soaping agents or additives being introduced to the wrinkles. 
2) Inspect the wrinkles. 

When you clean the wrinkles, this is always a good time to first make a visual inspection to look for any irritation and take note of any odd odors. If issues like this remain for more than a day or so, a topical medicated product may need to be used. This is covered next under 'Pug Wrinkle Infections'. 
3) Clean each wrinkle.

Take your time and gently swipe down into each fold. It is important to wipe down as far as you can since bacteria, debris, and excess moisture are often found at the bottom the wrinkles. Try to make one sweeping motion.  Repeat until the wipe comes out clean without any matter on it. Use new wipes as needed. 
4) Protect the wrinkles.

If your Pug is prone to chronic wrinkle irritation or infections, it can help to use a balm or cream that creates a water-repellent barrier to keep moisture and debris from coming into contact with the skin. Essentially, this type of product is like Chapstick for the wrinkles. While you'll still want to routinely clean them, using a product like Squishface Wrinkle Paste can shield the wrinkles and help clear up irritation. Note that this is not for bacterial or yeast infections which is covered next. 

Wrinkle Infections

Overview:

Even with proper care, wrinkles can become infected. This is a common problem with Pugs since the deep skin folds are dark and moist which is the ideal environment for yeast and bacteria to grow. Some Pugs are more prone to issues than other and if a Pug has lots of wrinkles, it can be easy to mistakenly overlook one or two when cleaning them. 

Types of wrinkle infections: 

In most cases, this will be a skin yeast infection.of Malassezia yeast which are present on the skin of all dogs. Under certain conditions, this yeast can over-multiply. This can happen if the wrinkles stay dirty and/or moist. Certain health issues can trigger yeast to grow in numbers including allergies which trigger the body's immune system response. Bacterial infections can also occur, yet are seen less frequently. 

Signs and symptoms of wrinkle infections: 
  • Odor - This is a top sign. There may be an odd musty-type smell. 
  • Itching - A Pug may paw at his face or rub his face into surfaces like carpeting or pillows. 
  • Discharge - Though not always present, untreated infections can produce a discharge that is often clear or white. 
  • Irritation - When parts, the wrinkle may appear red and/or inflamed. 
Treatment, at home: 
Many cases of acute wrinkle infections can be successfully treated at home using an anti-fungal and antibacterial medicated wipe. The combination of chlorhexidine gluconate and ketoconazole are typically very effective for this. 
An excellent choice is Curaseb Antifungal & Antibacterial Wipes which has a no-sting formula and are not only great for treating wrinkles, but also other areas prone to skin infections like the armpits and groin area. The affected areas should be wiped 2 to 3 times per day for 1 week and then once per day for the second week. Discard each wipe afterward; do not re-use these. 
Treatment, veterinary: 

For stubborn infections that do not respond to at-home treatment or in the case of chronic reoccurring infections, veterinary treatment will consist of a visual inspection and a sample taken via a swab that is examined under a microscope to determine the exact cause. Treatment may involve prescribed topical or oral antibiotics and/or oral anti-fungal medications. Once the infection clears up, there will need to be a strong focus on maintaining a strict schedule of cleaning. 
Do you have your book?

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