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One of the questions that I get asked most frequently about owning a pug is “Do pugs shed?”.
When I first got my pugs, I thought it was just a coincidence that multiple people had asked me that question. I’ve had the pugs almost four years now and I still get asked that question pretty regularly. I don’t feel like it can be a coincidence. I’ve also had multiple people tell me that they thought pugs were hypoallergenic! I have an acquaintance who reached out to me after buying a baby pug to share how frustrated she was that her daughter got a rash as soon as they brought the pug home. She knew that her child was sensitive to some dogs, but she thought that pugs shed so little that it wouldn’t be a problem. She actually asked me if I was interested in adopting the pug puppy. We considered it but decided to pass. It’s always unfortunate to see a pet re-homing not go as expected, and I thought it was too bad that it was just because she had lacked the information about how much pugs shed.
Pugs are not a hypoallergenic breed, and they definitely do shed. Quite a bit, actually! Fawn-colored pugs (meaning they are a tan or came-colored primarily, but with black ears, muzzle and/or face) typically have a double coat. Dogs with a double-coat essentially have two “layers” of fur. Pugs that are all black usually have just a single coat, but most pugs that you see are fawn colored. Double-coated dogs like fawn pugs typically shed year-round.
For much of my childhood, my mom had a husky mix named Nikki. When I think of dogs that shed heavily, I immediately picture Nikki. She was an amazing dog that I adored, but her shedding was intense. She would brush up against the couch and globs of hair would fall off her backside like cotton balls! I remember once in the summer a glob of hair fell off her back and we had a fan running so the fan pushed the ball across our living room floor like a tumbleweed which I thought was really funny. During the spring she would get clumps of fur on her hind legs that was being lost all at once. During that time of year she needed brushed daily just to keep the clumps from gathering.
By comparison to Nikki, my pugs don’t shed terribly. They do not lose large balls of fur at any time of the year. However, owning a pug means needing to vacuum and sweep several times a week, if not daily.
Prior to bathing the pugs I brush them for a really long time to try to get all of their loose hairs out. Even then, each dog loses so much fur that the wire mesh that I keep in the tub drain gets completely filled up, and then some. Getting a pug means committed to dealing with shedding year round. For me, it’s well worth it because I adore so many other aspects of the pug breed but it’s certainly not for everyone.
Hi there! I am Emily Evert, the owner of Emily Reviews. I am 28 and live in a small town in Michigan with my boyfriend Ryan and our two pugs. I have a large family and I adore my nieces and nephews. I love reading memoirs, and learning about child development and psychology. I love watching The Game of Thrones, Teen Mom, Sister Wives and Veep. I like listening to Jason Isbell, John Prine, and other alt-country or Americana music. I created Emily Reviews as a creative outlet to share my life and the products that I love with others.
This post currently has 18 responses.
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Amber Ludwig
But they sure are cuuute!! I try to remember that a good rule of thumb is that if a dog needs to be groomed and trimmed that they are usually hypoallergenic!!
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Jeanine Carlson
I didn’t realize that the difference in colors also meant a difference in coats (single vs double). Thanks for clarifying!
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Peggy Nunn
I did not realize that. That is interesting about the single and double coat. There are so many things to consider when you get pets. Thank you for the information.
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Lynda Cook
Our pug not only shed but was quite the chewer as well, and found out from a few other pug families that they are chewers, and little thieves as well, one morning I could not find my 400.00 glasses and Chloe had gotten a hold of them and chewed them to bits, she was always stealing stuff on us!! for the shedding the only dogs I know of that do not shed is the poodle and the schnauzer
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Definitely sounds like a little rascal! My two have never been bad about chewing things they shouldn’t and have never ‘stolen’ anything, in the time that I’ve had them, anyway. They were mature adults when I adopted them though so I’m sure that helps the chewing.
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Danielle S
I believe it is better to get a dog that does shed as opposed to a dog that is not supposed to shed. I have the latter – a dog that generally does not shed. A non-shedding breed’s fur will become matted if not brushed out almost daily. The next dog I get, if I do get a dog and not a cat, will be a dog that sheds. Much easier to brush out even though there would be hair everywhere. (But then when I brush my dog, the hair flies everywhere and there is a big clean up.)
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Michelle S
I think Pugs are so adorable! I hadn’t heard that they don’t shed but it wise to do your research before owning any breed of dog.
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Carol Denny
I had 2 pugs and loved them so much . And yes they were little shedding machines. Now I have a lab-huskey mix and she sheds like crazy but its a joy to have her.
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Susan Hartman
I have a part pug – part toy poodle and he sheds. He got his Mamma’s hair!
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Laurie P
love pugs regardless of the shedding!
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ellen beck
Thats so odd to me people would think pugs didnt shed. I have never been owned by one, but almost anything with fur sheds and especially double coated dogs. It is unfortunate the person had to rehome… they really should not have ever had a dog until they found out if the allergy kicked up either by being around a pug (or watever animal) before adopting or in a pugs case buying. It is hard on the animal and the people involved
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Brushing helps with just about any breed! Plus, I love the bonding that goes with it! Thanks for the Pug Info!
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Daniel Scott
My aunt always had a pug named Susie. I remember wearing black and coming home with her fur all over my black pants. For some reason black seems to be the worst color for dog hair. Before adopting or buying a pet, people should do their homework to see if the pet will fit into their family and lifestyle.
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Donna B
My granddog is a pug and the sweetist boy ever. He does shed but most dogs do. It’s just another part of being a parent.
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gloria patterson
I never thought about dogs shedding because I though all dogs did. Can remember our shepard when outside we would just brush and brush her. And we still had hair all over the house
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Rosie
This is good information. I’m hoping to move, maybe by next year, one of the reasons, is I’d love to have a dog. This little pug is so cute. I didn’t think much about shedding, for dogs that shed terribly, that might be some hesitation. I want to learn more about pugs to consider getting one.
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Vickie L Couturier
heck I thought all animals that had fur would shed,,i have a chichaucha that sheds,,but not as bad as a long haired dog,,interesting
I like this my daughter is wanting to get a pug I’m gonna pass this on