Why Are Pugs So Expensive?

There’s no denying it — pugs are irresistibly cute. If you’ve ever looked into buying one, however, you may have noticed how surprisingly expensive they can be. Why is that? Read on to learn why. 

Why Pugs Are So Expensive

Here are the top reasons pugs cost so much. 

1. Pugs Are in High Demand

Pugs are adorable, and everyone wants them. Due to their high popularity, breeders often charge more for them. It’s a matter of simple supply and demand. The more people want something, the more it will cost. 

Many people love pugs for the way they look, but there are other reasons to prefer them as well. They’re very gentle dogs, for the most part, and don’t pose much of a danger to small children. That’s why many families love them. 

Not only that, but pugs are not difficult to train, which is another reason people want them. They can get quite mischievous at times, but that just adds to their appeal. They are intelligent, loving, and just fun to have around. Furthermore, they get along well with other dogs and don’t make too much noise. 

2. There Aren’t That Many Pugs

In the previous section, I covered the demand part of the pug’s supply and demand situation. However, let’s talk a bit about the supply part: it’s pretty low. Even though you seem to see pugs everywhere, breeders often have a hard time keeping up with the demand. That’s because breeding a pug is far from easy. 

Pugs don’t reproduce as easily as other breeds. A mother pug might face many health issues while pregnant. As such, when giving birth, many of the puppies might not survive. In general, pugs don’t have as many puppies as other dogs. While pugs can have litters of 4-6 puppies, it isn’t uncommon for there to be only one or two puppies, which further complicates the breeding process. 

Not only that, but it can be quite expensive to raise pug puppies. Many pug mommies need to give birth via C-section to avoid the various problems that often come with a regular pregnancy. However, a C-section is not cheap. Since it can cost a lot of money to breed more pug puppies, their price can go up as a result. 

3. Pugs Require Expensive Veterinary Care

It’s no secret that many pugs face health issues. Common problems pugs face include hip dysplasia, joint problems, eye problems, and even serious issues like Pug Dog Encephalitis. Many pugs also have breathing problems. Due to all of these issues, pugs require more veterinary care than other dog breeds. 

That means that a pug breeder needs to spend more money breeding a pug due to veterinary checkups. That cost gets passed on to the consumer buying the pug. Otherwise, the cost of breeding pugs would be unsustainable. 

Things That Can Affect the Price of a Pug

Although pugs tend to be on the more expensive side, not all pugs cost the same. Indeed, the price of a pug can vary greatly. Before we get into price ranges, let’s talk about some of the variables that can play a role in the price of a pug. 

The Pug’s Age

Puppies and smaller dogs tend to cost more. That’s because more people want them, as they can live longer and become companions for the next decade or more. On the other hand, an older pug will cost less, as it is in less demand. If the pug is a rescue pug and has health problems, it might be even cheaper. 

The Place You Are Buying It From

The type of establishment you are buying it from also matters. Buying from a professional breeder who gives their pugs the highest quality medical attention and the best care will cost you more. 

There are breeders, however, that use sketchy breeding methods to produce more pugs. They force mothers to give birth to as many puppies as possible, and they don’t spend any money on C-sections. They cut corners on medical and veterinary costs. 

It is best to avoid such breeders, even though it will cost less to buy a pug from them. You should support breeders who care properly for their dogs. Not only is it the right thing to do, but you will end up with a healthier pug, both physically and emotionally. 

The Color of the Pug

Yes, the color of the pug can affect the price. There are two main pug colors: fawn and black. Some also add a third color: silver-fawn. Of course, there are variations and shades in the “fawn” color; they are not all the same. 

Nevertheless, people tend to prefer fawn pugs. When you see pictures of pugs on social media, that’s the color they tend to have. Black pugs are incredibly cute as well, but unfortunately, some people have no love for them. Therefore, they tend to cost less due to the lower demand. 

How Much Do Pugs Cost? 

The price of a pug varies, as I explained above. Also, in different cities and parts of the country, it may be easier to obtain a pug, so they might cost less. Nevertheless, you should be prepared for a price range of $1,000–$2,500. That’s a pretty broad price range, but $1,200–$1,500 is more likely. 

You can find pugs for less than $1,000. Indeed, some pugs can go as low as $500. However, it’s worth spending more to get a healthy pug with a known lineage from a reputable breeder, who uses the right methods to breed and care for their dogs. 

Besides the cost of buying the pug, however, you need to account for the lifelong costs of owning and caring for a pug. Remember, pugs require more veterinary care than your average dog, so make sure you have the financial capabilities to care for a pug properly before buying one.  

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, this article cleared up common misconceptions about why pugs are so expensive. There are more expensive breeds out there, but now that you understand all that goes into breeding healthy pugs, I’m sure you’ll appreciate them a lot more.