Medium
Pug
The Pug is a charming, mischievous toy breed with a wrinkled face and a flat, pushed-in nose that gives them their distinctive expression and made them court favorites in ancient China and European royalty. Their short, fine double coat sheds surprisingly heavily for such a small dog, and their abundant facial wrinkles, nose wrinkle, and deep-set eyes require regular cleaning. Pugs need more grooming effort than their short coat suggests.
Coat Type
Short, Fine, Dense, Double Coat
Groom Every
Every 4-6 weeks
Styles Available
4 cuts
Cuts & Styles
Grooming Styles
1
Standard Bath
A full bath with gentle skin-safe shampoo, thorough drying, rubber mitt polish, nail trim, and ear clean. The baseline maintenance groom for pet Pugs.
2
Wrinkle Deep Clean
A targeted cleaning of all facial wrinkles and the nose roll using grooming wipes, followed by careful drying and application of a protective balm or cornstarch powder to prevent moisture buildup.
3
De-Shedding Treatment
A de-shedding focused groom using shedding shampoo, high-velocity drying to blow out the Pug's surprisingly dense undercoat, and thorough rubber mitt removal of loose hair.
4
Puppy Spa
A gentle, brief groom for Pug puppies combining a warm bath, soft towel dry, nail filing, and introductory wrinkle cleaning to establish positive grooming associations early.
Expert Advice
Care Tips
- The Pug's nose roll (the deep wrinkle above the nose) must be cleaned and completely dried at least twice a week — this fold accumulates moisture, tears, and skin oils that can develop into a painful infected skin fold condition called intertrigo.
- Pugs are prolific shedders despite their tiny size; the dense, fine undercoat clings to fabric and furniture aggressively — use a rubber lint mitt or pet hair roller on the Pug during every bath and brush session to collect the maximum loose hair.
- The Pug's prominent eyes are at risk of injury and frequently accumulate discharge in the inner corners; wipe the eye discharge with a damp cloth or gentle pet eye wipe daily to prevent staining and potential eye infections.
- Pugs are brachycephalic (flat-faced) and overheat very quickly — keep grooming sessions short and in a cool environment, and never use a warm cage dryer on a Pug as it can cause heatstroke rapidly.
- Trim Pug nails every 3 weeks; their low-activity level means nails grow fast and unchecked, and long nails on a Pug alter their gait and put pressure on their already vulnerable joints.
Recommended Tools
What you'll need
Chris Christensen Big G Slicker Brush
BrushThe gold standard for poodles and doodles. Features long pins that penetrate deep into dense coats to remove tangles and fluff the hair.
$60 - $75
Miller's Forge Quality Nail Clipper
Nail CareUsed by professional groomers worldwide. Made of high-quality Italian stainless steel with a heavy-duty spring for clean, sharp cuts.
$10 - $15
Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush
BrushAn excellent entry-level brush that's easy to clean. Great for removing loose fur and detangling shorter coats.
$15 - $25
*As an Amazon Associate, Groomas earns from qualifying purchases.
Deep Dives
Pug Grooming Guides
Summer Grooming
Heat management, coat care, and seasonal tips.
Read guide
Winter Coat Care
Cold-weather protection and moisture balance.
Read guide
Shedding Season
Survive the seasonal blowout without losing your mind.
Read guide
Prevent Matting
Detangle, prevent, and protect their coat year-round.
Read guide
Best Brushes
The right tools for this specific coat type.
Read guide
Nail Trimming
Safe nail care frequency and technique.
Read guide
Ear Cleaning
Prevent infections with proper ear care.
Read guide
Bathing Guide
How often to bathe and which products to use.
Read guide
Grooming Cost
What professional grooming should cost for this breed.
Read guide
Hypoallergenic
Shedding, dander, and allergy-friendly coat care.
Read guide
First-Time Owner
Grooming basics for new owners of this breed.
Read guide
Skin & Allergies
Itchy skin, hot spots, and coat-sensitive care.
Read guide
Dental Care
Oral hygiene tied to coat and skin health.
Read guide
Flea & Tick
Parasite prevention without damaging the coat.
Read guide
Pro vs DIY
When to groom at home and when to hire a pro.
Read guide
Free Newsletter
Grooming tips in your inbox
Monthly breed spotlights, grooming hacks, and product picks. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Free monthly grooming tips — join anytime