It can seem odd to look at certain dog breeds and imagine them surviving in the wild. A good example of a breed such as this is the classic pug. Is this a dog that would survive in the wild? Do they have the abilities to manage well in this type of situation? To learn more about pugs in the wild, it’s important to ask, can pugs survive in the wild?
Pugs in their current state would not survive in the wild. They do not have the necessary hunting traits to manage well in this setting and would eventually end up dying from hunger and/or getting attacked by a larger predator.
The reason for this is simple.
Pugs are not the same as the ones found in Ancient China. Those dogs were specifically designed to hunt some of the largest predators on the planet, but those days are long gone. Over the years, pugs have been genetically modified and bred for their look rather than any of their hunting traits.
What this means is, you are not going to get a good answer for your question “Can pugs survive in the wild?” because there is no real example to go on.
The reasons include:
- Bred as Pets
- Extensive History of Breeding
- Bred for Looks More Than Physical Qualities
Due to their history over the years, it is not feasible or reasonable to leave a pug in the wild. They would not do well in most settings and would eventually pass away due to hunger.
This doesn’t mean it is an impossible task, but it would require a special dog. Most would not do well and that is often see with pugs that are left to fend for themselves.
It’s essential to ask important questions such as “Can pugs survive in the wild?” as a way to learn more about the dog breed, where it comes from, and why it can’t do well in such conditions. This guide will further breakdown why pugs can’t do well in the wild in their current state.
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Reasons Why Pugs Can’t Survive in the Wild
1. Can’t Hunt Properly
It is all about the basics when it comes to pugs not doing well outdoors.
In general, if you were to leave a pug to fend for itself, it would not know how to find food. Most dogs would sniff around and find a bit of food, but that is not easy for pugs.
They have been bred in a way to rely on humans and that is all they are good at. This doesn’t sound good for the breed, but it is an accurate depiction of why they don’t do well as a dog breed outdoors.
2. Don’t Do Well On Their Own
Leaving a pug on its own is just not a good idea and is dangerous.
This goes for dog owners that prefer to let their dogs roam around outdoors from time to time. Pugs are not good at this and will get lost and/or hurt.
This is why they are better kept on a leash and/or indoors.
This is key a detail to think about when asking “Can pugs survive in the wild?” because it sheds light on why pugs are not good outdoor dogs.
The dog is going to get lost or will end up in a dire situation that is life-threatening.
3. Gain Weight Easily
This is a nuanced disadvantaeg because it is dependent on the pug finding a good food source.
Let’s assume the pug does find food outdoors. This might sound like a good thing, but pugs are not good at eating the right amount, which means it will gain weight rapidly.
When this happens, the risk is going to increase for them getting attacked.
Pugs can’t move at a good pace, which means any predator that is bigger than them is going to have a quick meal.
This is something to look into when it comes to asking “Can pugs survive in the wild?”
They just don’t do well outdoors because of these issues especially in a situation where coyotes or other animals are lingering around.
Final Thoughts
Can pugs survive in the wild?
Pugs cannot survive in the wild because of how they have been bred. They are not used to the outdoors, prefer to live with their pack members (humans or other dogs) and just don’t know how to hunt properly.
This sheds light on why leaving a dog outside is just not a smart thing to do.
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