Pugs are among the breeds with a limited number of coat colors. If you are interested in buying a pugone from a reputable breeder, you will likely end up with a black or a fawn one. But you might have heard that there is such a thing as a white pug. Read on to learn if white pugs are albino dogs or if they are considered pure white pugs.
Pug Coat Colors
The American Kennel Club only recognizes two colors in the Pug breed,fawn and black. Here are the characteristics of each coloring:
Fawn – it has a sun-like and tan coloring. It is the most common and most sought-after color. It can have different variations, like apricot and tan. The apricot coat is cream-like but with reddish brown strands. Apricot pugs sport an orange-like color that is warmer than a typical fawn Pug. Fawns with a tan shade are also called dark fawns.
Black – although they are a more dominant gene, they are not as common as the fawn pugs; as per standard, theyshould not have any light hair on any part of the body; white patches will be regarded as mismarks or defects and dogs having such patches may not be allowed for the AKC show ring. They are the easiest to breed because even if the other Pug is not black, you will still end up with a black dog.
Non-standard Coat Colors
Silver – it is not identified as a standard Pug color but it’s a well-accepted coat color. It is believed they are just a hue of fawn. Silver Pugs have a grey body. Their face and chest come with black spots. It is also possible for black pugs to turn silver as they grow older due to the grey hairs.
Brindle – this is not really a color but rather a pattern that is also described as the “tiger-striped”because of its stripping effect. It may come in a range of colors, from silver and fawn to dark brown.
Chocolate –a chocolate pug has a brown body and muzzle and can be easily distinguished from a black Pug. At birth, their color can be compared to a bar of milk chocolate. Their color stays as it is until adulthood.
Merle – although rare, merle pugs exist. They have a piebald appearance and may have different eye colors. One eye may appear to be dark, such as black and the other one may appear to be blue because when the merle gene occurs, it also affects the pigmentation of the eyes.
White – thereare true white pugs but they are not well-recognized compared to other coat colors. They may be eligible for registration with the AKC but will not be allowed to represent the show ring. Continue reading to learn more about their origins and characteristics.
White Pugs Origin
It is believed that white pugs were first bred by John Lapp, a small breeder from Pennsylvania. He allegedly had a white pug born and just reproduced it. Breeders from the west coast showed interestin these Pugs so they continued to develop it.
White pugs have been a subject of controversy for years. This is why they are considered to be rare. You cannot easily find breeders developing white pugs because there are only a few people showing interest in them.
Characteristics
A white Pugs does not look like atypical Pug. At birth, itwill not have a black muzzle but instead, it has a pinkish hue around its muzzle, ears, and face. A white Pug is differentfrom an albino dog, because the pink hue eventually turns into black as itgrows older.
Albino dogs continue to have a pale pink skin until adulthood because their bodies are not capable of producing enough melanin. Albinism is actually considered rare, that’s why you will not commonly see it in Pugs.
Dogs suffering from albinism can live normally and even enjoy a long life. However, keep in mind that some forms of albinism can threaten a dog’s life. More often than not, albino dogs suffer from eyesight problems and skin cancer.
Grooming
Maintaining a white pug’s coat is the same as grooming a non-black Pug. Unfortunately, Pugsare not easy to groom despite the fact that they have short hairdue to the fact that they are heavy shedders and have double layers of coat.
A white pug, just like a fawn pug, may have a soft inner layer and a short top coat. For double-coated breeds, it’s advisable to use a slicker brush. You can find a self-cleaning slicker brush that easily removes tangles and dander to keep your pet’s skin away from irritation.
You may also want to invest in a de-shedding tool designed for short-haired breeds. You can find them in different sizes in stainless material. This type of toolis effective in reaching deep into your pet’s coat so you can get rid of dead hair.
Bathing a Pug will depend on its activity levels. Some Pugs should be bathed only once a month while otherscan be bathed once per week. As long as you are using a hypoallergenic shampoo for your Pug, bathing should not be a problem. If you need to treat certain skin conditions like flea infestation, your vet may recommend a medicated shampoo.
Regular baths can also minimize the chances of shedding. When bathing or prior to giving a full bath, don’t forget to scrub your Pug in a gentle manner to fully remove the fur that is about to fall.
Conclusion
Not all white Pugs are suffering from albinism. They were allegedly a result of selective breeding. Although they can be true white dogs, they are still not well-accepted as fawn and black Pugs.
