Pugs are charming, comical companions with a short coat and a big shedding reputation. Add facial wrinkles and a flat face, and grooming a Pug is mostly about brushing, fold care and keeping them comfortable.
- Coat type: Short coat, heavy shedder
- Routine: Bathe every 4 to 8 weeks.
- Key tools: Rubber curry brush or grooming mitt, deshedding tool, bristle brush
What kind of coat does a Pug have?
Pugs have a short, smooth double coat. Fawn Pugs often have a denser undercoat and tend to shed more than black Pugs. They shed year-round with seasonal increases.
Coat type, more than breed name, is what decides how often a dog needs a bath, a brush or a haircut. Mixes and individual dogs vary, so treat the schedule below as a starting point and adjust it to your dog's lifestyle, skin and how quickly the coat gets dirty or tangled.
How often should you groom a Pug?
Bathe every 4 to 8 weeks. Brush 2 to 3 times a week. Clean and dry facial folds several times a week. Trim nails every 3 to 4 weeks and check ears weekly.
How to bathe a Pug at home
- Brush with a rubber curry before the bath to remove loose hair; there is a lot of it.
- Wet with lukewarm water all the way to the skin.
- Massage the shampoo in with a rubber curry in circles. This loosens even more dead hair.
- Rinse very well, since short dense coats hold onto suds.
- Towel-dry thoroughly; a cool dryer helps blow out extra loose hair.
- Finish with a bristle brush once dry for shine.
Always use a shampoo made for dogs; human shampoo is formulated for a different skin pH. Keep water out of the ears, and give a treat at the end so bath time stays positive.
Brushing routine
A rubber curry brush and a deshedding tool used gently remove loose undercoat. A bristle brush finishes the coat.
Pay special attention to the nose wrinkle above the muzzle: it is deep on many Pugs and can trap moisture and debris. Wipe it gently, dry it fully and look for redness. Pugs' prominent eyes are also easy to scratch, so keep shampoo and brushes away from the face and contact your vet promptly if an eye looks cloudy, red or squinty.
Short, frequent sessions beat one long struggle. Two to ten minutes, a few times a week, keeps most coats in good shape and gives you a chance to spot skin problems, lumps, ticks or sore spots early.
Short coats are easy to groom and easy to forget. Mango's Grooming Calendar & Checklists ($7.99, printable PDF) puts the weekly brushing tracker, the 5-minute brushing checklist and a weekly nose-to-tail check on one page, so your Pug's skin, nail and ear checks actually happen. Mango's Starter Kit ($19.99) adds the step-by-step Brushing Guide.
How much does a Pug shed?
- Shedding level: Heavy for a small dog. Pugs shed every day of the year, and fawn Pugs, with their denser undercoat, usually shed more than black Pugs.
- Compared with other breeds: Most owners find Pugs shed more than French Bulldogs and English Bulldogs. Some say a Pug leaves as much hair around the house as a much bigger dog.
- In South Florida: Warm weather and air-conditioned homes mean many short-coated dogs shed steadily all year instead of in two clear seasons, with small peaks around March to May and September to November. Short hairs weave into fabric, so they show up on couches and clothes even when the amount is modest.
- During a seasonal shed: Spring and fall bring heavier shedding for a few weeks. Brush every day or two then; a bath with a full dry loosens a lot of undercoat at once.
How to keep Pug shedding under control: A rubber curry brush or grooming mitt once or twice a week (every day or two during spring and fall), a deshedding tool used gently on the body during heavy sheds, and a bath every 4 to 8 weeks with the face folds cleaned and dried keep it manageable. Shaving a Pug doesn't stop shedding and leaves the skin exposed to sun. Bald patches, red or flaky skin, constant scratching or a sudden jump in shedding are not normal seasonal shedding, so check with your vet.
Step-by-step help: How to Deshed a Dog at Home, Dog Shedding Season in Florida and Can You Shave a Double-Coated Dog?. Want a brushing and bath schedule matched to your dog's coat? Take the 1-minute Pawfile quiz. In Boca Raton? Book a bath at our Boca salon to clear out loose hair and get $10 off your first groom with code PAWFILE10 (teeth brushing and nails are always included).
Fitting the routine into your week
A weekly five-minute brush, done outside, handles most of the shedding. During spring and fall coat changes, brush every day or two for a few weeks. Pair grooming with the things your dog already loves, such as a walk or a treat, and make nail trims a monthly calendar event so they are never forgotten.
Tools you'll need
- Rubber curry brush or grooming mitt
- Deshedding tool (use gently, no more than recommended)
- Bristle brush for shine
- Dog shampoo
- Nail clippers or a grinder
- Ear cleaner recommended by your vet
Tools from the Pawradise shop: Deshedding Massage Glove · Quiet Electric Nail Grinder
Mango's guides: a happy coat between grooms
Printable PDF guides from our groomers, with Mango as your coach. Instant download after checkout, anywhere in the US. English and Spanish editions included.
- Mango's Starter Kit: Brushing Guide + Calendar · $19.99 (best value)
- Mango's Between-Visits Brushing Guide · $14.99
- Mango's Grooming Calendar & Checklists · $7.99
Common Pug grooming mistakes
- Thinking short means low-maintenance. Short coats can shed a lot. Weekly brushing makes a real difference in your home.
- Overusing deshedding tools. Pressing hard or using them daily can irritate skin. A few minutes, gently, is enough.
- Shaving to stop shedding. It does not stop shedding and removes natural sun protection.
- Overheating. Pugs are brachycephalic. Use lukewarm water, a cool dryer and short sessions.
Pug grooming FAQ
Do Pugs shed a lot?
Yes, more than many people expect, especially fawn Pugs.
How do I clean Pug wrinkles?
Wipe gently with a soft damp cloth and dry completely.
How often should I bathe a Pug?
Every 4 to 8 weeks.
What is the best brush for a Pug?
A rubber curry brush plus a gentle deshedding tool.
How often should I bathe a Pug puppy?
Puppies usually need fewer baths than adults: bathe only when dirty, with a gentle shampoo made for dogs, and keep them warm until fully dry. Use short, positive sessions to get them used to water, brushing, nail trims and the dryer. Ask your vet when your puppy is ready for a professional groom.
Can I groom a Pug at home?
Yes, most of the routine can be done at home: brushing, baths, ear checks and nail trims. Short coats rarely need a professional, though a groomer can help with nails if your dog resists.
How much does it cost to groom a Pug?
It depends on the salon, your dog's skin and the service. Pugs are small with a short coat and don't need a haircut, so most get a bath, deshed, nail trim, ear cleaning and gentle wrinkle cleaning, which is one of the simpler services. A bath every 4 to 8 weeks, plus wiping and drying the face folds at home, keeps shedding and skin issues in check. See what affects dog grooming prices. New to our Boca Raton salon? Get $10 off your first groom with code PAWFILE10 (teeth brushing is always included).
This guide offers general grooming information. For skin, ear or coat problems that don't improve, talk to your veterinarian. More Pawfile breed guides.