The Pug is a small, sturdy and charming dog, usually 6 to 9 kg, with a wrinkled, flat face. Pugs are affectionate, funny and love being in the middle of the family, and most do well in apartments. They need short walks and gentle play, and they hate being left alone for long.

The flat face makes Pugs prone to overheating, so the UAE summer is a real risk. Walk only in the coolest hours, keep the dog in air conditioning, offer fresh water and never leave it in a car. Expect snorting and snoring. Clean and dry the skin folds on the face, and keep the weight under control, because extra weight makes breathing harder. The prominent eyes can get scratched, and breathing, skin and eye trouble is common in the breed, so before you buy, ask your vet.

See the puppy in person (and its mother, if you buy from a breeder) and check the vaccination card and microchip number. Your dog should be microchipped, have its rabies and core vaccinations and be registered with your municipality or emirate. On AnimalMarket24, prices vary a lot, so compare a few ads before you decide. Adoption is also an option, and adoption fees should be modest.