If you’ve heard the term “fawn pug” for the first time and are picturing a baby deer and pug mix, we don’t blame you. But at the risk of disappointing you, we’ll get this over with—fawn pugs have nothing to do with deer.
So, what is a fawn pug?
A fawn pug is a type of coloring. However, there’s some fascinating information to know about fawn pugs, so if you’re on the fence about what kind of pug coloring to get, read on for more details.
Features of a Fawn Pug
Fawn pugs have cream to yellow-ish coats with dark brown or black ears, muzzles, and accents around their eyes. Thanks to their popularity on social media, they’re among the most popular pug colors that people seek.
In addition to standard fawn pugs, other fawn color varieties include Apricot fawn and Silver fawn.
As their names imply, apricot fawns have a more yellow-colored coat. In contrast, silver fawns have whitish-colored fur. Both apricot and silver fawn pugs also have black or dark brown accents around their ears, muzzles, and eyes.
Like humans can have different color hair but are still the same species, the same is true for pugs. Therefore, if you love a pug’s wrinkled face or curly tail, you can rest easy knowing that you can find these features in fawn or any other color pattern of pug you bring home.
Fawn Pug Characteristics
Since fawn pugs are a color variation within the pug species, the following breed characteristics are true of all pugs:
- Females grow up to 12 inches and males up to 14 inches
- They weigh 15 – 22 pounds
- Short-haired coat
- Short snout
- Wrinkled face
- Curly tail
Science shows that small dog breeds really do live longer than larger breeds. So, as a toy breed dog, you can expect your fawn pug to have a lifespan of 12 – 15 years.
That’s assuming, of course, that you purchase your fawn pug from a responsible breeder, which we’ll talk about next.
Health Considerations for Fawn Pugs
When you first started thinking, “What is a fawn pug?” we understand if you were hoping that fawn pugs would come with fewer health issues than other types of pugs.
Unfortunately, that’s not the case.
As a brachycephalic breed (meaning pugs have a short snout and flat face), fawn pugs often undergo several issues during their lives, including:
- Reverse sneezing
- Inability or reduced ability to blink
- Brachycephalic Airway Obstruction Syndrome (BAOS)
In regards to BAOS, this happens from having such a small skull that it causes fawn pugs to have trouble breathing during exercise, in hot weather, and when there are allergens around.
The issues listed above are mostly preventable before birth. However, since people tend to gravitate towards fawn pugs with flatter faces, shorter snouts, and more bulging eyes, breeders continue to breed their animals in a way that draws out these features more than they already are.
Another demand that breeders cater to is a fawn pug’s curly tail. A pug’s tail was short in the past, but it didn’t have the tight curls you often see today.
Unfortunately, such tight curls can create issues for your fawn pug’s spinal cord. Therefore, some pugs experience neurological damage or spinal column issues because breeders make a fawn pug’s tail have tight curls.
The bottom line?
If you’re a fawn pug owner-to-be, it’s crucial to do your due diligence about a breeder if you plan on buying a pug instead of adopting one. For example, read reviews about the breeder and their ethical practices (or lack thereof).
Furthermore, assess the fawn pug you plan on buying. Is their snout pressed flat to their face, or is there some space? Are they able to blink all the way, or do excessively bulging eyes prevent them from doing so?
Not only will your due diligence help dictate how breeders choose to breed fawn pugs in the future, but you’ll bring home a four-footed love that’ll have a higher chance of living a 12 – 15 year life.
Helping Your Fawn Pug Live a Long & Happy Life
Although breeding has a significant impact on the quality of your fawn pug’s life, it’s not everything.
For starters, you should always use a harness on your fawn pug instead of a collar. That’s because dog collars place a lot of pressure on the throat when a dog pulls and could instigate a BAOS episode in your pug.
Furthermore, fawn pugs have a high predisposition to allergens and dust. Therefore, be mindful when using cleaning products, perfume, and vacuuming around your dog.
If you notice a pattern of your fawn pug having trouble breathing or showing signs of reverse sneezing when you perform a particular activity, try to avoid doing it when they’re nearby.
Managing your fawn pug’s weight is also another crucial element to helping them live a longer and happier life. That’s because obesity can lead to increased respiratory issues that your fawn pug may already be predisposed to.
There are many helpful formulas for calculating your pug’s body fat percentage. Of course, taking your pet for an annual veterinary checkup is also important to make sure they’re at the correct weight for their size and age.
Finally, make sure your fawn pug has a calm environment. Breeders designed fawn pugs to be lap dogs. In conjunction with how difficult it can be for some pugs to breathe when they get overexcited, this means that offering them a quiet atmosphere is essential for their wellbeing.
Are You Ready to Pick Out Your Fawn Pug?
Now that you know the answer to “What is a fawn pug?” it’s time to let the fun begin with bringing home your new best friend.
All fawn pugs are from the same species, so it comes down to the color combination you want your pup to have.
Fawn pugs have the same predispositions to health issues as other color patterned pugs. Therefore, it’s crucial to understand the implications that choosing an extra-flat-faced, bulging-eyed, and tightly coiled tailed pug can have on your pet and the pug breeding industry as a whole.
About the author
Rachael is the co-founder and editor at Pug Facts. Owner of one elderly Pug, she’s dedicated to helping other Pug owners create healthy, happy, lives with their furry best friends.
