Why is a Pickwick Pug special?
Breed Standard with AKC Champion Pedigrees
At Pickwick Pugs, we only include exemplary representations of the pug breed in our breeding program as evidenced by our AKC championships, grand championships, important pedigrees, and awards such as "Best of Breed", "Best in Show", "Best Bred By" "Winners Dog" and "Winners Bitch" and AKC titles in Rally Obedience, Trick Dog, Canine Good Citizenship, and even an AKC Achiever Dog title.
When you look through each puppy's pedigree you will find a sea of AKC champions (the prefix "CH" stands for Champion, "GCH" for Grand Champion) and you will also recognize some very important pugs (one who was picked to win Best in Show at Westminster), and important kennels such as Tangetoppen, Double D, Coral Bay, Winsome, Mianda, Hill Country, and more. Three of our pugs in our breeding program are half sisters/brothers to "Biggie" who won more Best in Shows than any pug in history, was the #1 pug in US, and won the Toy Group at Westminster Toy Group. Our Parker (CH Wright's Triumphant Tiger Eye at Pickwick) is the son of "Reese" who was also a top pug in the US for a long time and our Annie's father was an international star and winner at Crufts.
Health+Beauty+Brains
We believe pugs can do more than just sit on a couch, (although they should also excel at this), and we love for our own pugs to get the most out of life as possible. Working for an active lifestyle for our own canine family, this philosophy influences our emphasis on health testing and scrupulous selection process for our pugs in our breeding program. We strive to breed strong, healthy pugs for future generations to come … pugs who can hike (in good weather), take jolly walks and jaunts, dance, and savor life to the fullest! If any of our pugs -- even our AKC champions and Grand champions or very expensive European imports -- do not meet our high health and temperament standards, they are spayed or neutered and not a part of our breeding program.)
Health-Testing
We believe strongly in the importance of health-testing and utilize every tool possible when choosing our breeding stock. If any of our breeding stock, including those who have completed AKC Championships, do not satisfactorily meet our high standards and pass important health tests, they are spayed or neutered and not part of our breeding program. If a pug does not sufficiently pass an important test, they are out of the breeding program and spayed or neutered. We include the tests recommended by the Pug Dog Club of America (the AKC parent club for pugs) but we also include additional health screening which is not required such as cardiac evaluations and spinal x-rays.
Vet examinations
Pickwick Pug puppies have been examined by a board certified veterinarian multiple times before leaving our home
Puppy Culture and other Puppy Protocols
We believe that overall health, sound temperament, and sociability are just as important as outward looks when meeting breed standard. The puppy protocols we follow provide the right environment that interacts with genetics to create a stable, inquisitive puppy
Extensive Training
A Pickwick pug puppy does not simply hang-out in a puppy pen all day with a few toys for entertainment. Each litter of puppies is a part of our life -- they hang out in the den with us while we watch tv, they help us in the kitchen when we prepare dinner, they go to work with us (at the appropriate age after vaccinations), they encounter a novel experience, object, scent, and adventure every single day of their life. From day 3, with the ENS protocols, to Week 4 and 7 puppy parties, to outings, to daily training sessions, we work with each puppy multiple times throughout each day. Clicker training in earnest begins as soon as the puppy can swallow gruel! Pickwick Puppies are trained so much that they will actually have worked on enough tricks to earn an AKC Novice Tricks Title by the time they go to their forever homes at 12 weeks of age. We believe these fun 'games' like spin, sit, down, bow, jump through the hoop, go through the tunnel, get on, get in, play the piano etc. provide a wonderful chance for the puppies to quickly bond with their new family which is why we provide a clicker and plenty of training treats with each puppy basket along with a checklist of all the skills we have worked on and suggestions of things to continue to improve upon. At the appropriate age, puppies work on these important life skills on a daily basis:
Additional challenges and games such as:
Fun tricks and skills such as:
Socialization
Having studied in person with Ian Dunbar, Victoria Stillwell, and many other amazing behaviorists and trainers, we apply what we have learned by safely introducing each puppy to novel experiences, places, and all sorts of different types of people. Starting at 4 weeks of age, we hold puppy parties where the puppies can meet and safely interact with all sorts of people. Once they are old enough, we start going places with them (beyond the vet). The pups are used to traveling in the car and traveling in their baby stroller. At first, we do outings with all the siblings together then, eventually, (after the puppy temperament evaluations), graduate to solo outings to build confidence away from litter mates. We meet tall people, elderly people, young toddlers, other friendly dogs, people in uniform, people wearing hats or sunglasses, drive-through bank tellers, piano students, choir members, shoppers at Home Depot or sporting goods stores. The puppies discover new scents and sights (balloons, bubbles, etc.) every single day. Beginning as early as day 14, the puppies enjoy sound protocols and a puppy playlist of Classical music. Through the startle-response protocols beginning toward the end of their 2nd week of life, to all of their exciting socialization parties and outings and training, we work to develop bomb proof puppies with a "so-what" response who will thrive in life and adjust more easily to their new homes.
AKC Registration
Every Pickwick Pug puppy is registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC). Pickwick Pugs pays for and completes this registration for each puppy.
Microchip with AKC Reunite
Every Pickwick Pug puppy is microchipped with AKC Reunite (paid for by Pickwick Pugs) at 10-11 weeks of age, prior to leaving Pickwick Pugs.
Temperament and Conformation Evaluations
Pickwick puppies have been fed the highest grade food available including Ross Wells Raw Rations, organic Raw Goat Milk, Green Beef Tripe, other raw selections from PetCarnivore.com and RawPawsPetFood.com, probiotic Yogurt, Calcium, Colostrum, organic Pumpkin, Lamb, chicken paws, homemade chicken broth, Esther C, Kelp, Probiotics, Farmina N&D Ancestral grains, and Life's Abundance vitamins fish oil, vitamins, and treats.
We are not backyard breeders
Because we train and live with our dogs we are able to observe each pug's learning curve and intelligence quotient. Because our pugs live with us in our home -- not in a kennel detached from our home -- we are able to truly examine each dog's temperament. Our pugs are our children; they have their own bedroom next to ours (unless they are sleeping with us) complete with their own tv and special beds, they watch tv with us, they go to work with us (taking turns), they help us cook dinner, they help us do laundry, they go on vacations with us in our 40 foot camper, they go to dog shows with us and participate in conformation but also performance sports such as rally obedience, canine freestyle, tricks, and scent work. Pickwicks pugs are intelligent as well as jolly and loving.
Memberships in Professional Organizations
We believe in ongoing continuing education and research in all things related to the pug breed, health testing, training, behavior modification and are members in numerous organizations and programs such as:
Ongoing Support
Pickwick pugs offers unlimited, ongoing relationships with our puppy families. Any Pickwick pug, no matter the health or age or circumstances, has a forever home with us if ever needed.
At Pickwick Pugs, we only include exemplary representations of the pug breed in our breeding program as evidenced by our AKC championships, grand championships, important pedigrees, and awards such as "Best of Breed", "Best in Show", "Best Bred By" "Winners Dog" and "Winners Bitch" and AKC titles in Rally Obedience, Trick Dog, Canine Good Citizenship, and even an AKC Achiever Dog title.
When you look through each puppy's pedigree you will find a sea of AKC champions (the prefix "CH" stands for Champion, "GCH" for Grand Champion) and you will also recognize some very important pugs (one who was picked to win Best in Show at Westminster), and important kennels such as Tangetoppen, Double D, Coral Bay, Winsome, Mianda, Hill Country, and more. Three of our pugs in our breeding program are half sisters/brothers to "Biggie" who won more Best in Shows than any pug in history, was the #1 pug in US, and won the Toy Group at Westminster Toy Group. Our Parker (CH Wright's Triumphant Tiger Eye at Pickwick) is the son of "Reese" who was also a top pug in the US for a long time and our Annie's father was an international star and winner at Crufts.
Health+Beauty+Brains
We believe pugs can do more than just sit on a couch, (although they should also excel at this), and we love for our own pugs to get the most out of life as possible. Working for an active lifestyle for our own canine family, this philosophy influences our emphasis on health testing and scrupulous selection process for our pugs in our breeding program. We strive to breed strong, healthy pugs for future generations to come … pugs who can hike (in good weather), take jolly walks and jaunts, dance, and savor life to the fullest! If any of our pugs -- even our AKC champions and Grand champions or very expensive European imports -- do not meet our high health and temperament standards, they are spayed or neutered and not a part of our breeding program.)
Health-Testing
We believe strongly in the importance of health-testing and utilize every tool possible when choosing our breeding stock. If any of our breeding stock, including those who have completed AKC Championships, do not satisfactorily meet our high standards and pass important health tests, they are spayed or neutered and not part of our breeding program. If a pug does not sufficiently pass an important test, they are out of the breeding program and spayed or neutered. We include the tests recommended by the Pug Dog Club of America (the AKC parent club for pugs) but we also include additional health screening which is not required such as cardiac evaluations and spinal x-rays.
- Hip Dysplasia - OFA Evaluation
- Patellar Luxation - OFA Evaluation
- OFA or CERF Eye Examination - by a boarded ACVO Ophthalmologist
- Pug Dog Encephalitis (PDE) - DNA test for Necrotizing Meningoencephalitis
- Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency (PKD) (Optional) - DNA based PKD test results from an approved lab
Vet examinations
Pickwick Pug puppies have been examined by a board certified veterinarian multiple times before leaving our home
- at birth (if a c-section is involved)
- Day 4 or 5 for dewclaw removal
- 4 week wellness checkup
- 9 week first round of vaccinations
- 11 week 2nd round of vaccinations and microchip
- Dew Claws are removed
- Occasionally PDE testing on each pup is performed (when a pup is going to a show/breeder home)
- Pickwick puppies follow a strict de-worming regimen using Strongid at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 weeks of age.
Puppy Culture and other Puppy Protocols
We believe that overall health, sound temperament, and sociability are just as important as outward looks when meeting breed standard. The puppy protocols we follow provide the right environment that interacts with genetics to create a stable, inquisitive puppy
- who learns well (we teach each puppy how to think, problem solve, learn)
- is resilient after surprised, or when faced with novelty
- and is affectionate to both people and dogs.
Extensive Training
A Pickwick pug puppy does not simply hang-out in a puppy pen all day with a few toys for entertainment. Each litter of puppies is a part of our life -- they hang out in the den with us while we watch tv, they help us in the kitchen when we prepare dinner, they go to work with us (at the appropriate age after vaccinations), they encounter a novel experience, object, scent, and adventure every single day of their life. From day 3, with the ENS protocols, to Week 4 and 7 puppy parties, to outings, to daily training sessions, we work with each puppy multiple times throughout each day. Clicker training in earnest begins as soon as the puppy can swallow gruel! Pickwick Puppies are trained so much that they will actually have worked on enough tricks to earn an AKC Novice Tricks Title by the time they go to their forever homes at 12 weeks of age. We believe these fun 'games' like spin, sit, down, bow, jump through the hoop, go through the tunnel, get on, get in, play the piano etc. provide a wonderful chance for the puppies to quickly bond with their new family which is why we provide a clicker and plenty of training treats with each puppy basket along with a checklist of all the skills we have worked on and suggestions of things to continue to improve upon. At the appropriate age, puppies work on these important life skills on a daily basis:
- watch me (attention)
- touch
- manding
- leave it
- drop it
- take it
- resource guarding
- bite inhibition
- sit
- down
- stand
- wait
- stay
- come when called (recalls)
- under
- over
- get in
- get on
- through
- loose-leash walking
- crate-training games
- potty-training (every puppy is litterbox trained as early as just a couple of weeks of age; after the completion of the 2nd round of vaccinations, each puppy also works on potty-outside and crate-training)
- loose-leash walking
- crate-training
Additional challenges and games such as:
- barrier challenges
- puzzles
- shaping games
- car rides
- outings
- meeting strangers
- experiences new environments
- pool (with shallow water)
- swimming (in very shallow wading pool)
- scent work
- luring through obstacle courses and/or mazes
Fun tricks and skills such as:
- show dog (stand stay for examination)
- fetch
- shake
- hi-5
- bow
- spin
- paws up
- fit paws balance discs
- wobble board
- tunnel
- play the piano
- paint (yes, each puppy paints a canvas painting before leaving for his/her forever home which is included in the puppy basket)
Socialization
Having studied in person with Ian Dunbar, Victoria Stillwell, and many other amazing behaviorists and trainers, we apply what we have learned by safely introducing each puppy to novel experiences, places, and all sorts of different types of people. Starting at 4 weeks of age, we hold puppy parties where the puppies can meet and safely interact with all sorts of people. Once they are old enough, we start going places with them (beyond the vet). The pups are used to traveling in the car and traveling in their baby stroller. At first, we do outings with all the siblings together then, eventually, (after the puppy temperament evaluations), graduate to solo outings to build confidence away from litter mates. We meet tall people, elderly people, young toddlers, other friendly dogs, people in uniform, people wearing hats or sunglasses, drive-through bank tellers, piano students, choir members, shoppers at Home Depot or sporting goods stores. The puppies discover new scents and sights (balloons, bubbles, etc.) every single day. Beginning as early as day 14, the puppies enjoy sound protocols and a puppy playlist of Classical music. Through the startle-response protocols beginning toward the end of their 2nd week of life, to all of their exciting socialization parties and outings and training, we work to develop bomb proof puppies with a "so-what" response who will thrive in life and adjust more easily to their new homes.
AKC Registration
Every Pickwick Pug puppy is registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC). Pickwick Pugs pays for and completes this registration for each puppy.
Microchip with AKC Reunite
Every Pickwick Pug puppy is microchipped with AKC Reunite (paid for by Pickwick Pugs) at 10-11 weeks of age, prior to leaving Pickwick Pugs.
Temperament and Conformation Evaluations
- Temperament Testing (performed at around 8-9 weeks)
- Conformation Evaluation (performed at 8 weeks by master breeders of champion pugs from around the world)
- These evaluations keep us honest in our assessment of our pugs and prevent us from becoming "kennel blind" where we do not notice faults or do seek ways to continuing striving for improvement
Pickwick puppies have been fed the highest grade food available including Ross Wells Raw Rations, organic Raw Goat Milk, Green Beef Tripe, other raw selections from PetCarnivore.com and RawPawsPetFood.com, probiotic Yogurt, Calcium, Colostrum, organic Pumpkin, Lamb, chicken paws, homemade chicken broth, Esther C, Kelp, Probiotics, Farmina N&D Ancestral grains, and Life's Abundance vitamins fish oil, vitamins, and treats.
We are not backyard breeders
Because we train and live with our dogs we are able to observe each pug's learning curve and intelligence quotient. Because our pugs live with us in our home -- not in a kennel detached from our home -- we are able to truly examine each dog's temperament. Our pugs are our children; they have their own bedroom next to ours (unless they are sleeping with us) complete with their own tv and special beds, they watch tv with us, they go to work with us (taking turns), they help us cook dinner, they help us do laundry, they go on vacations with us in our 40 foot camper, they go to dog shows with us and participate in conformation but also performance sports such as rally obedience, canine freestyle, tricks, and scent work. Pickwicks pugs are intelligent as well as jolly and loving.
Memberships in Professional Organizations
We believe in ongoing continuing education and research in all things related to the pug breed, health testing, training, behavior modification and are members in numerous organizations and programs such as:
- The Pug Dog Club of America
- Birmingham Obedience Training Club
- Good Dog Breeder Program
- American Kennel Club Breeder of Heart Program
Ongoing Support
Pickwick pugs offers unlimited, ongoing relationships with our puppy families. Any Pickwick pug, no matter the health or age or circumstances, has a forever home with us if ever needed.