Skip to content
Dr. Jenny Max, DVM
Lead Veterinary Editor & Small Animal Nutrition Specialist

Dr. Jenny Max, DVM

DVM, Small Animal Nutrition Specialist

Dr. Jenny Max, DVM is the Lead Veterinary Editor at ShowDogsWest, dedicated to translating complex veterinary science into clear, actionable guidance on pet health, nutrition, and responsible care.

Contact Editorial Team

Professional Biography

Dr. Jenny Max, DVM is the Lead Veterinary Editor at ShowDogsWest, dedicated to translating complex veterinary science into clear, actionable guidance on pet health, nutrition, and responsible care.

Credentials

  • DVM
  • Small Animal Nutrition Specialist

Editorial Standards

ShowDogsWest documents its sourcing, corrections, update process and standards for pet-health content in the editorial policy. Read the editorial policy.

Latest Publications

178 Articles
A purebred Pug dog representing the Toy Group breed classification Dog Breeds

What Type of Dog Is a Pug?

When determining what type of dog is a pug, major registries officially classify the breed as a toy dog and companion canine. Organizations such as the American Kennel Club (AKC) and The Kennel Club in the United Kingdom place the Pug in the Toy Group, while the United Kennel Club (UKC) lists it in the Companion Dog Group. The Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) designates the Pug under Group 9 (Companion and Toy Dogs) as a small Molossian-type breed, recognizing its ancient ancestry, square frame, and short, wrinkled muzzle.

Aug 18, 2026 8 min read
A French Bulldog sitting next to a bowl of fresh sliced strawberries in a bright kitchen Nutrition

Can French Bulldogs Eat Strawberries? Safe Serving Guide

Can French Bulldogs eat strawberries? Yes, strawberries are safe and non-toxic for French Bulldogs in moderation. They provide vitamin C, antioxidants, and dietary fiber, but must be washed, trimmed of green leaves, and sliced into small pieces to prevent choking in flat-faced dogs.

Aug 18, 2026 6 min read
Handmade crochet amigurumi pug dog toy sitting on a wooden table Dog Breeds

How to Crochet a Pug Dog: Step-by-Step Amigurumi Pattern

Learning how to crochet a pug dog involves working separate three-dimensional pieces in continuous spiral rounds using single crochet stitches, increasing, and decreasing. The project requires Category 4 medium worsted weight yarn in fawn and black, a 3.5 mm (US E-4) crochet hook, polyester fiberfill stuffing, stitch markers, and a yarn needle. Crafters make the head, square muzzle, folded ears, torso, stumpy legs, and curled tail individually before assembling and embroidering the signature facial wrinkles.

Aug 18, 2026 12 min read
Fawn Pug sitting calmly in a bright room representing Pug Dog Encephalitis health risk facts Health

How Common Is Pug Dog Encephalitis? Causes, Testing, and Risk Facts

Epidemiological data on how common Pug Dog Encephalitis is indicates that PDE affects an estimated 1.0% to 1.2% of all Pugs over their lifetime. While rare across the overall breed population, it is the predominant intracranial brain disorder in Pugs, accounting for approximately 81% of fatal brain disease cases evaluated in neurology referral centers. Medically designated as necrotizing meningoencephalitis (NME), the condition is a severe, non-contagious autoimmune disorder driven by genetic risk markers located on canine chromosome 12.

Aug 18, 2026 10 min read
A fawn Pug sitting calmly on a hardwood floor in a home setting. Behavior & Training

Do Pug Dogs Pee When They Are Excited? Causes and Fixes

Do pug dogs pee when they are excited? Yes, pug puppies frequently leak urine when highly stimulated. Excitement urination is an involuntary physiological reflex where a sudden surge of adrenaline temporarily relaxes immature urethral sphincter muscles. It is not behavioral defiance or a house-training failure. Most young pugs outgrow this reflex as their neuromuscular bladder control matures, provided owners implement low-arousal greeting routines and avoid scolding.

Aug 17, 2026 10 min read
A full grown Pug Chihuahua mix dog sitting comfortably indoors Dog Breeds

Pug Chihuahua Mix: The Chug Dog Breed Guide

Among companion dogs, a Pug Chihuahua mix (commonly known as a Chug) is a small designer hybrid created by crossing a purebred Pug with a purebred Chihuahua. Full grown Chugs typically weigh about 18 pounds or less and enjoy an average lifespan of 13 to 16 years depending on individual genetics and routine veterinary care. This hybrid pairs the easygoing, affectionate nature of the Pug with the alert, devoted personality of the Chihuahua, making it an adaptable companion for apartments and smaller homes.

Aug 17, 2026 12 min read
A fawn Pug dog looking up showing its flat brachycephalic facial structure and characteristic nose wrinkles. Health

Why Do Pug Dogs Snort? Causes, Triggers, and Warning Signs

Why do pug dogs snort so frequently? They snort primarily due to their brachycephalic (short-nosed) facial structure, which compresses their nasal passages and upper respiratory tract into a compact skull. This anatomy restricts airflow efficiency, causing soft tissues to vibrate and produce snorting sounds when they breathe rapidly, get excited, or try to sigh. While occasional snorting is typical for the breed, frequent resting respiratory distress may indicate brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS).

Aug 17, 2026 8 min read
A fawn pug dog digging into a soft beige blanket on a couch Behavior & Training

Why Does My Pug Dog Dig in the Blanket

When owners ask why does my pug dog dig in the blanket?, the answer lies in ancestral denning instincts, thermal regulation, scent marking with paw pheromones, and the comforting swaddle-like pressure blankets provide. However, because pugs are a brachycephalic breed with shortened airways, owners must supervise blanket burrowing to prevent respiratory distress or overheating.

Aug 17, 2026 7 min read
A calm and friendly French Bulldog sitting peacefully in a sunlit living room. Behavior & Training

Are French Bulldogs Aggressive? What the Data Really Shows

When evaluating the question are French Bulldogs aggressive, population-level veterinary surveillance shows that French Bulldogs are not an inherently aggressive breed. A comprehensive epidemiological study from the Royal Veterinary College (VetCompass) established that French Bulldogs have significantly lower odds of aggression compared to the general companion dog population, with an adjusted odds ratio of 0.64 (95% CI: 0.44 to 0.93, p=0.021). When individual French Bulldogs display growling, snapping, or biting, the behavior is typically triggered by acute physical pain, respiratory distress, fear from inadequate early socialization, or resource guarding rather than malicious temperament.

Aug 17, 2026 10 min read
A healthy adult Golden Retriever dog sitting gracefully in a sunlit park, showcasing its rich golden coat. Dog Breeds

Golden Retriever Dog Breed: Temperament, Size, Care and Health Guide

The golden retriever dog breed is an intelligent, athletic sporting dog developed in 19th-century Scotland for upland and wetland game retrieval. Recognized for a gentle disposition, high trainability, and a dense water-repellent double coat, adult Golden Retrievers measure 21.5 to 24 inches in height, weigh between 55 and 75 pounds, and need 60 to 90 minutes of daily exercise. Their average lifespan spans 10 to 12 years when supported by proper nutrition, weight control, and preventive health screenings.

Aug 17, 2026 9 min read