Pug grooming in Gloucester, MA

The breed standard describes a fine, smooth, soft, short and glossy coat, neither hard nor woolly, in silver, apricot-fawn with a black mask, or black. The AKC says the coat needs minimal maintenance but does shed, and its shedding scale puts the pug at four of five, a notch above the shaggy Bearded Collie. Short hairs weave into upholstery and clothing, which is why a pug owner often wants a de-shed more than a wash.

Shed Release is the add-on for it: a $10 de-shedding treatment and brush-out on top of the $55 bath, aimed at loose hair a quick brush leaves behind. At home, the AKC suggests a weekly going-over with a medium-bristle brush, a rubber grooming mitt or a hound glove. The bath itself can be occasional; the AKC says a pug does not need one unless it gets into something messy or starts to smell doggy.

Like all flat-faced breeds, the AKC says, pugs sometimes have breathing problems and do poorly in sunny, hot or humid weather. A bath and a dry add warmth and excitement for a dog that already moves air poorly. The groomer keeps an eye on breathing and heat from start to finish and keeps the dryer air cool, and a coat this short dries quickly with a towel and gentle, cool air.

You can help before the appointment. In July and August, book an early slot or drop off in the 6:30 to 9:30 AM window on a daycare day, carry your pug across a hot parking lot rather than walking it, and tell us about any snoring, airway surgery or past heat episodes. The AVMA lists short-nosed breeds among the pets most at risk in heat. A pug in real breathing trouble needs a vet, not a groomer.

Most pug care is small and frequent. Brush weekly with a rubber mitt or hound glove outdoors, so the loose hair goes into the yard. Check the nose wrinkle every day: wipe it, then dry it with a soft cloth to the bottom of the fold. The tail, curled as tightly as possible over the hip in the standard's words, can hold damp underneath, so lift it and dry the skin after rain. Our how-to on cleaning skin folds has the full method.

Cape Ann summers are humid, and a pug does best on early, short, shady walks from June to September. The off-season beaches suit the breed better: at the time of writing Wingaersheek takes dogs on odd-numbered days from October 1 to April 30, and cool sand is easy on a flat face. Rinse sand from the wrinkle afterward. On daycare days, the Pup Van picks up in Rockport, Gloucester, Essex and Manchester-by-the-Sea for $10 each way.