Many people cannot clearly tell a Shar-Pei from a Pug. The Pug, also called the Chinese Pug or simply Pug dog, is much smaller and more compact than the Shar-Pei, with bright expressive eyes. In reality, the two breeds are fairly easy to distinguish once you know what to look for.
Pug
The Pug has a gentle, lively, and intelligent personality. It is usually good with children and is widely loved by families. There are still some care points to remember.
1. Pugs love food, so meals should be given at fixed times and in controlled portions. Overfeeding spoils their cute appearance. They can be given cooked meat and vegetables on a planned basis.
2. Pugs have short airways, so they should wear a properly fitted collar or harness during walks and should avoid overly intense exercise that may lead to breathing difficulty.
3. Their folds need frequent cleaning. Pugs do not tolerate heat well, so midday walks in summer should be avoided. The wrinkles should be cleaned carefully every one or two days to prevent bacteria from growing.
4. Special attention is often needed around the nose folds and eyes, which require gentle cleaning and monitoring.
Shar-Pei
The Shar-Pei is quite different from the Pug. Its body has far more folds, while the Pug mainly has wrinkles on the face and a much rounder body with fewer folds overall.
The Shar-Pei also has historical links to fighting dog lines and is often described as a strong and determined breed. It is calm and steady, and once it faces a challenge it may not retreat easily. At the same time, its daily activity level is relatively low, so it can adapt well to residential life.