How long does a Pug live?

The listed lifespan for a Pug is 13–15 years.

The listed height for a Pug is 10–13 in.

Is a Pug good with children?

The AKC good-with-children score for a Pug is 5 out of 5.

When is a Pug full grown?

The growth size band for a Pug is 8–12 months.

Toy Group

Pug

Pug is a small dog in the Toy Group. Adult weight is 14–18 lb, height is 10–13 in, and the listed lifespan is 13–15 years. AKC describes the temperament as Charming, Loving, Mischievous.

Last reviewed November 1, 2026.

Pug dog — Photo: carly ralph · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Lifespan13–15 years

Weight14–18 lb

SizeSmall GroupToy Group

Height

10–13 in

Energy

3 / 5

Shedding

4 / 5

Grooming

2 / 5

Trainability

4 / 5

Good with kids

5 / 5

The breed record

Across 45 single-size small breeds, a lifespan midpoint of 14 years is about 0.4 years longer than the 13.6-year average. A midpoint adult weight of 16 lb is about the same as the 16 lb average for those small breeds.

The listed origin is China. The coat is described as smooth, short. The AKC energy score is 3 out of 5, 0.3 points below the group average of 3.3 for the Toy Group. Shedding scores 4 out of 5, so coat cleanup is a regular job. Grooming scores 2 out of 5, so home brushing covers most weeks. Trainability scores 4 out of 5, which is a biddable score. Good with children scores 5 out of 5. Good with other dogs scores 4 out of 5.

Adult size is usually reached in 8–12 months (size-band statement (Salt et al. 2017): very small dogs reach maturity at 8-12 months). AKC parent-club recommended health screenings: Hip Evaluation, Eye Examination by a board Certified ACVO Ophthalmologist, Patellar Luxation, and Pug Dog Encephalitis (PDE) - DNA Test. These are screening tests, not a list of diseases the breed is guaranteed to develop.

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