Long-Haired Pugs: A Closer Look at Their Graceful Coats

Pugs generally are known for their charm and lively nature. They are loving companions ready to live in an apartment problem free. The coat they possess is short and easily manageable.

However, did you know that there is a variation of Pugs with long wavy fur that interests dog enthusiasts and experts?

A Pug with a long coat? Is that even possible? Let’s explore the answers to these questions and discuss what genetic traits can make it possible and what the community is saying about it. 

I’ll also shed light on the possible future prospects of a long-haired Pug.

Pug Purebred – A Historical Overview

The story of Pugs is not relatively new. It originated in ancient China where they were cherished as loyal companions in the emperor’s court.

They were also found in the laps of the nobility because of their distinctive appearance and a personality that charmed everyone.

With the expansion of trade from China to Europe, these dogs found their way into the hearts of the European royalty, thus, becoming their favorite dogs also.

Throughout their history, or should I say the documented history, the Pugs’ coat has always been a short one. With that, the wrinkles on its face and expressive eyes also made the breed recognizable from afar. 

The story did not end in Europe and through the trade routes, they found themselves in the corners of the world spreading cuddles and love through generations.

After all those years, the story of a long-haired Pug has relatively stirred intrigue in the dog community.

Can Pugs Be Long-Haired?

There is a chance that Pugs can be long-haired depending on the expression of a long coat gene, as you will further read about it below, from both parents, whether they are Pugs or another breed involved.

In some Pugs possessing that gene, you may see the tail fur slightly longer than the rest of the body. Upon full expression in the offspring, the long hair overtakes the whole body.

Pug With a Long Coat – Where Did It Come From? A Detailed Discussion 

The emergence of a long-haired Pug needs deep digging to unravel the genetic mysteries that have made such a mixed breed come to light. 

A Possible Mixed Breed

It’s understandable that at some point in their history, there has been an introduction of long hair genetics into the Pug lineage because of the result of crossbreeding.

Speculations are that the breeds used for such breeding may be Brussels Griffon or terriers, both of which are pure and have long wavy coats.

The Role Of Genetics In Creating A Long Coat

The interplay of genes in creating coats of all types is well documented.

The myriad coat types that you see in the dogs around you are because of that intricate mechanism, which results in the expression of a dominant gene that further creates how the dog will not only look but also have a particular frequency of shedding.

It’s no surprise that at the heart of a long-haired Pug lies the genetic variation or a genetic element that has expressed itself out of the norm and has introduced a completely new trait in an otherwise short-coat dog. 

The same gene is responsible for creating a flowing coat in dog breeds known for it. 

You may be surprised by the fact that this very gene for long coats is recessive to Pugs and Pugs and Pekes have been mated in the past. The chances for a recessive gene to overcome a dominant one, which in our case it’s the gene for short coat, are lower than a dominant gene overcoming a recessive one.

But, there is still some chance for a long coat gene to overcome a short coat gene in one of the puppies from a litter. 

To give you more insight, the gene I’m talking about is the FGF5. The offspring would have to inherit it from both parents, otherwise, it won’t be expressed. 

A Few Examples Of Pugs With Long Hair

There are some real-life examples of the unique mixed breed to take into account in order to fully understand how they function in the real world, let alone look. 

MJ

Credit: DogForums

According to the DogForums.com community, MJ is a peculiar case that has been recognized by the AKC.

Upon digging into the lineage of this particular dog, researchers were able to find that a recessive long coat chain expressed itself. It further adds to our knowledge about the interplay of genes in creating the coat type.

Both the parents of MJ had short coats, which means that a long-coat Pug is very much possible but after a few generations.

Velvet

Another 15-year-old dog velvet, according to petpugdog.com is an AKC-registered Pug with long hair. 

Karlo King of Pug

Credit: FB / KarloPug

There’s also Karlo, a dog that lives in Denmark. He and his sister had unusually long fur when they were born and upon maturing they both showed a long-haired double coat.

As you can see there are some examples of Pugs with wavy coats thriving and making their owners happy not just with their personalities but also looks.

What Are People Saying About The Mixed Breed? 

Whenever something different happens in the dog community, the forums are the first places to have extensive discussions about it. The long-haired Pug debate also took place there with many indulging in the “Brug” debate.

Brug is the name given to the blend of the Brussels Griffon and the Pug. The members of the community are divided over the legitimacy of creating such a mixed breed, giving us an insight into the confusion related to the Brug’s identity and classification.

People will say many things. The reality on the ground is always different and in our case, the fact that long-haired Pugs exist remains.

What Is The Future Prospect Of Such A Mixed Breed?

So far, the long-haired Pug has not become a member of the pure breed dogs. Realistically, it’s highly unlikely that it will ever be a part of them because of its lineage that remains unclear even today. 

The answer to the question of whether the breed will be accepted by the community largely remains unanswered as you already read. There will always be people preferring safe and common breeding practices that do not create unique mixed breeds.

With that, we also have to look into the perspective of the other half and also breeders who are interested in creating breeds of varying coats or traits that they normally do not possess.

I believe only time will tell who will prevail.

Should You Seek Out A Long-Haired Pug?

Before asking this question, you should ask whether such a novel breed will be available around you or not. In case it is available, adopting it will need careful consideration.

As breeders normally do not practice breeding that creates such a dog, it becomes highly important that you seek out the right breeder even if some who are interested and involved in breeding Pugs as such are a few around you.

The reason for this is that ethical breeding practices and health considerations are two prime aspects that make a breeder suitable. Such a breeder will not select parents who have any genetic complication or any other health condition that jeopardizes not only their lives but also the puppies.

How To Care For Such A Pug?

Assuming that you did find a Pug with a long coat, it’s best to know how you can groom it.

You will have to keep in mind this and other potential challenges for the comfort and well-being of the dog.

1. Dogs with long coats usually shed a lot, especially when the seasons change. Buy specialized tools to groom a high-shedding dog, for example dog hair vacuums, grooming brushes, or anti-matting tools that will remove tufts of tangled hair from the dog’s coat. 

2. As a general rule of thumb, dogs with long coats need grooming nearly every day. However, before doing so you’ll have to look into your dog’s unique requirements to make a better decision. 

3. Choose controlling tools such as a harness or a collar made for long-haired coats because others may have the potential to pull the hair and cause hair fall.

4. Use dedicated shampoos to remove any dirt from the fur without causing any damage to the skin.

5. Also, keep a stern eye on the possibility of a flea infection as the chances of its occurrence are more in this mixed breed as compared to a short-coat Pug.

How Much Are Long-Haired Pugs?

Generally, a Pug dog is priced between $800 to $2,000, depending on its age, overall health, coat color, and the reputation of the breeder. 

The long-haired version may lie anywhere in this range. However, as is normally the case, the designer version may be expensive compared to a purebred version of the same age and health condition. 

The reasons for that are obvious. A lot of effort goes into selecting the right suitor for the Pug in hopes of introducing a long coat. The first try may even go wrong and the breeder may have to wait a few generations to see the expression of the long coat gene. 

Is It Okay To Cut A Pug’s Hair?

Traditional or purebred Pugs are short double-coat dogs. Such a coat does not need shaving in any way or haircuts stop in fact, getting rid of its hair will land it in trouble as you remove its protective layer against harsh weather conditions. 

The results are a poor heat regulation mechanism and protection from sun or dust.

Therefore, it’s not okay to cut a Pug’s hair for any reason other than medical. Even if such a necessity arrives, you should consult with a vet to get a better assessment and education about how to take care of a shaved Pug.

Long-Haired Pug – Conclusion

Steering from the traditional looks of a purebred Pug, the long-haired version has a wavy long coat that arises as a result of the expression of a recessive gene inherited from both its parents.

Now the second parent could be any dog with a long coat or a Pug itself that has the gene.

The chances for such a mixed breed to come to life are low and it would take some time for a breeder to actually produce a Pug with a long coat. However, that breeder and a dog enthusiast like yourself would have to keep its future prospects in mind. Some members of the dog community are not very fond of the idea. 

It’s also true that only time will tell about the actual adoption of the very idea of a long-haired Pug.

Before that, if you’re still keen on adopting one from a local breeder that has such a dog, then you must first ensure the validity of that breeder and also learn how to take care of a unique mixed breed.