Would it be totally lame if I got this?

[MollyWoppy]

No matter what the breed, dogs need to exercise. Not be put in strollers & paraded around.

FWIW,

Yep, for sure I use to have the exact same opinion a few years ago. I'm a huge believer in exercise for dogs, no matter the breed. However, I've adjusted my thinking a bit when it comes to disabled dogs or pugs in the summer heat.
I will say, that even by my standard, these pugs do get a lot of exercise. The older pug just can't walk the 3 miles or so that the younger pug can, so he is put in the stroller once he's tired out physically and then his brain gets a workout.

As for the bike trailer, they only use it when they are going on 10mile or so trail rides, so having the bike trailer means the pugs can go along instead of being stuck on the couch at home.
They also do a lot of swimming, the old boy has his life jacket on, but he does 20 laps a day. Not bad for a 14 year old, arthritic old boy. The younger pug had a hip replacement at 7 months old, so exercise is vital for keeping her muscles strong and supple.

Kat - wetting the dogs down when it gets really hot makes a huge difference, I do it with Mol all the time. We get over 100deg here most days over summer here, with 99% humidity, so we are use to dealing with the heat - it does suck a lot of the time though!

[Kat]

MollyWoppy, is that your pug? Such a cool photo! My friends dad has a pool and we did want to go there this summer, would be cool to see Ruby jump into a pool... if I was brave enough to let her haha.

I know wetting a dog down does make a difference, but after a certain point I just want her to cool down by actually being in a cool place.

I have heard of some scary pug stories because of heat, and the owners never saw it coming, they thought their pugs could handle it because they werent showing any outward signs of heat exhaustion.

Even if I cant take Ruby outside for a walk on a freezing day, or a super hot and humid day, I play with her until she tires in the living room. Our living room is pretty huge, she has a lot of space to run around in, so enough tug of war and fetching can pull her through a day or two if needed. I always make sure she gets some form of physical activity.

I live by the lake, and on nice days I like to take her down to the lake and we climb up and down large rocks, both mental and physical excercise. I dont do just "sidewalk" walking if I have the chance to do more of a fun mental workout with her.

[MollyWoppy]

No, I'd love to have her, but she's my friends young pug. I look after her a lot though. When it comes to overheating, we are pretty observant - when they are panting and the tongue goes wider towards the end and/or the sides start folding over, time to stop everything. But, these 2 can probably take a lot more heat than most pugs out there! They are cute dogs though, I never thought I'd be the type to like them, but I found out I do, they are certainly clowns, and, naughty! Actually, Ruby looks just like Lola, just a little darker around the eyes. She really is a cutie, you are lucky!

[Kat]

So true, I never thought I would be a pug person lol. With their higher maintenance and wrinkle care, I never saw myself having one but it happened anyway

[twoisplenty]

Have you seen the cooling vests or collars? My mother uses a cooling vest on her pug and it really does work well. Here is a link to just one of the many companies that make them Cool Vest&#174 for Dog; Product Information I believe my mothers is made by Ruffwear Ruffwear Swamp Cooler

[Noodlesmadison]

Noodles has a stroller because she cannot walk far (luxating patella) ad gets heat stroke extremely easy. We learned this the hard way this past summer. It was very bad. She has a flat face so she cannot be in heat long. I take offense to people that call me or my dog lazy. She walks and goes in the stroller or backpack(sherpa) when shes ready. I dont "parade" her around... Thats obnoxious to even say. Id rather look like an idiot with a healthy(ish)dog in a stroller than a dog in severe pain or a DEAD dog!

[SubMariner]

When your dog has heart disease and cannot go long distances yet likes to come along, then yes, you get a stroller or carry her 80 percent of the time.

And when we walk in the summer, it's pretty darn hot to be holding a dog to your chest.

Not all dogs are the picture of health. And some dogs just can't because of the bodies that we have bred into them that makes them unable to walk long distances without risking their health. ESPECIALLY in the heat of the summer.

I am really offended by your "parading around" comment. Obviously, you have never had a dog with disabilities. i know a woman with a double stroller who has two dogs with severe disabilities. She is not "parading" anything but she cares enough about her dogs to get them out and about.

Once again people are over-reacting.

Does someone who posts here REALLY have to put a disclaimer in their msg saying things like "of course this doesn't apply to people with animals who are disabled, have health issues..."

With the number of small dogs like pugs, papillons, chihuahuas, etc that I have seen being carried around in purses or in little strollers, is it any wonder that I think they are being babied to the detriment of their health?

Please, let's keep things in perspective.

[xellil]

Once again people are over-reacting.

Does someone who posts here REALLY have to put a disclaimer in their msg saying things like "of course this doesn't apply to people with animals who are disabled, have health issues..."

yes, you do. You were the one who said to throw water on a hot dog. Pug owners have carefully explained why that's not always possible - and those dogs are perfectly healthy.

Even before I found out my dachshund had heart disease, we were carrying her for part of our walks because it was too much to ask four tiny legs to walk 6 steps for every step my Dobie takes.

There are lots of reasons people would carry/put a dog in a stroller or trailer. And not all are because they are disabled.

Even fat dogs - when Snorkels weighed double her perfect weight I was carrying her. i guess people thought I was just "parading" a fat dog around and not getting her enough exercise.

Paris Hilton with a chihuahua in her purse in at a club in New York is one thing - someone with a dog in a trailer or stroller is totally different.

[Noodlesmadison]

Even before I found out my dachshund had heart disease, we were carrying her for part of our walks because it was too much to ask four tiny legs to walk 6 steps for every step my Dobie takes.

This is probably the cutest description of a small dog walking... as a small dog owner, I've always thought of this. When I'm walking, Noodles takes maybe 5x extra steps. How exhausting that must be! lol

[xellil]

This is probably the cutest description of a small dog walking... as a small dog owner, I've always thought of this. When I'm walking, Noodles takes maybe 5x extra steps. How exhausting that must be! lol

yes I figure after half a mile for us it's like three miles for them! And when Snorkels get into a certain rhythm at a fast walk, her little legs are just a blur. Probably Noodles is the same.