Finding Pugs and Referral Links
After considering all the positive and negative points for owing pugs, you have to put a lot of effort into buying a good Pug. Your first decision is whether you want a "pet quality" or a "show quality dog". If you are interested in showing, a show quality pug is a must (it doesn't mean they are not good pets as well, it just means that the dog must resemble the AKC pug standard closely). A pet quality dog is for the person who does not care about showing and wants a healthy pet. Show quality animals cost more than a pet (about$700 and up). A pet quality animal can cost anywhere from $500 and up. Price depend on location and the breeder, but beware of bargain Pugs!!! If you are interested in helping out a homeless Pug, Pug rescue organizations and occasionally your local shelter are good starting places. Many of these animals are up for adoption through no fault of their own. Please consider an older rescue pug as well as a puppy. These animals are ideal if you would like a calmer animal who is already housebroken. Even a
senior citizen pug has a lot of love to give. Senior Pugs often have sad stories because they have willingly given a family their love for years and are often repaid cruelly by being dumped after they pass their prime. A pug that is deaf or blind can often live out their lives happily (if you don't move the furniture around too much and introduce them to their surroundings carefully).Reputable Breeders
If you want a puppy, the first place to start is a reputable breeder. A reputable breeder will not breed any animal known for carrying genetic diseases. A reputable breeder has a reason for each breeding, other than just having a male and a female. Reputable breeders show their animals to compare them to the standard. They will not charge extra for registration papers or a pedigree. A reputable breeder will almost never be found in a newspaper add.
If at all possible, visit the kennel where you will buy your dog. Ask to see the dam and the sire (your puppy will probably act and look similarly to the parents when it gets older). Look at the conditions the animals are kept in. The breeder shouldn't have several breeds, but should specialize in only one or two. Look at the pedigree.... Is the pedigree complete past the parents or grandparents? How many of the dogs listed closest to the puppy have Ch. (champion) by their names? Usually at least one of the parents should be a champion. In addition, the breeder should ask you plenty of questions. Just because a puppy is AKC registered does not mean that it is a good dog or is even purebred, it depends on the honesty of the breeder. But a dog should always be AKC registered.
Read several Pug books before you look for a puppy. You will be surprised how many "back yard breeders" or puppy mills owners will know less than you do after you read just a few good books.
On a last note: Never buy puppies from pet stores. These puppies are mass-produced and there is a larger chance that your puppy may have physical or emotional problems. They are usually harder to house train. In addition, puppies in pet stores are often over-priced, especially when you can get a better dog elsewhere. Just because a puppy is healthy now doesn't mean it will be a few months or even years from now.
Places where you kind find kennel clubs or a person to refer you to possible reputable breeders or rescue Pugs
http://www.cheta.net/connect/canine/Rescue/pug.htm
http://home.earthlink.net/~lakewood/
http://www.cheta.net/connect/canine/Clubs/pug.htm