Pug Puppies for Sale NZ (2026): Breeders & BOAS Breathing Checks

Finding purebred Pug puppies in New Zealand requires contacting registered breeders, verifying Respiratory Function Grading (RFG) assessments for breathing health, and checking official litter availability. In September 2026, advertised asking prices were about $2,200–$2,500 NZD. The single most important health check is the parents' BOAS grading under the official scheme.

Where to find Pug puppies in NZ

Dogs NZ places the Pug in the Toy group, with an expected lifespan of 12–15 years. Under the Dogs NZ Pug breed standard (dated 28 March 2018), pinched nostrils and a heavy over-nose wrinkle are unacceptable and should be heavily penalised. The ideal weight is 6.3–8.1 kg. Dogs NZ breed information notes that Pugs cope poorly with heat and humidity and should not be kept outdoors.

Dogs NZ notes that reputable breeders may advertise on online platforms such as TradeMe when personal contacts are insufficient to place puppies. When searching online, buyers should favour sellers who are Dogs NZ members. Canine sport in New Zealand is amateur and no Dogs NZ member is a commercial operator, meaning puppy sales are private transactions.

In our snapshot on 30 September 2026, Dogs NZ's 'Pug Puppies Possibly Available From Registered Breeders' page listed no litters, and Dogz Online NZ showed no puppy notices. On 30 September 2026, Dogs NZ's online breeder directory listed two Pug breeders, one in Waitoki (Auckland) and one in Castlecliff (Whanganui). Buyers can contact breeders directly through Dogs NZ directories.

Dogs NZ lists three affiliated clubs for the Pug: Asian Breeds Club (Te Aroha address), Auckland Pug Dog Club (Papatoetoe address), and Wellington Pug Dog Club (Whanganui address).

For wider guidance on contacting sellers, see our guide on how to find puppies for sale in NZ, as well as our comparison of the French Bulldog vs Pug.

What Pug puppies cost

About $2,200–$2,500 NZD: asking prices for pug puppies advertised by four NZ sellers in September 2026 (none on TradeMe). Asking prices are not final sale prices. In September 2026, NZ pug sellers asked for a $500 deposit to hold a puppy; refund terms vary, so get them in writing.

You can also consult our dog breed price tool and overview of the cost of owning a dog in NZ.

When adopting through SPCA New Zealand, adoption fees are standardised across all centres rather than specific to Pugs. Current SPCA dog adoption fees are $399 for a puppy under 5 months, $149 for an adult dog aged 5 months to 8 years, and $75 for a senior dog aged 9 years or older. Each includes a one-off $15 NZ Companion Animal Register fee, and a $2.50 service charge is added.

Health tests to ask about

Dogs NZ's page on the Kennel Club / University of Cambridge Respiratory Function Grading (RFG) scheme covers assessment for brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS). Dogs NZ advises anyone buying a puppy of these breeds, Pug included, to make sure both parents have been tested under the scheme.

Under the RFG scheme, dogs can be assessed from the age of 12 months, and this should be repeated every two years for their lifetime. RFG grades run from Grade 0 (clinically unaffected, no respiratory signs of BOAS) to Grade 3 (clinically affected, severe signs). Dogs NZ does not recommend breeding from a Grade 3 dog. Dogs NZ warns that two graded, unaffected parents still cannot guarantee a BOAS-free puppy.

NZ pug breeders who publish their health testing on Dogz Online commonly list DNA tests for degenerative myelopathy (DM), pyruvate kinase deficiency (PKD), and Pug Dog Encephalitis (PDE), plus BOAS grading. Another, independent NZ breeder states its pugs are BOAS graded, and lists DNA tests, patella, spine and hip x-rays, and annual eye checks.

For more details on the breed, visit our Pug breed profile.

Adoption and rescue

NZ Pug Rescue coordinates the rescue and rehoming of Pugs across New Zealand. It began from a Wellington Pug Dog Club rescue policy set up in 1999. NZ Pug Rescue strongly advises prospective Pug owners not to buy a Pug puppy from a pet shop or any online auction site. This differs from Dogs NZ's view, above, that reputable breeders may sometimes advertise online.

Papers, endorsements and contracts

Dogs NZ is the only New Zealand authority for pedigree and registration papers, and cautions buyers against unverified mail order certificates from overseas organisations.

Dogs NZ's buying advice is to insist on papers with the puppy at the time of sale, at no extra cost. Its Breeders Code of Conduct sets the minimum a Dogs NZ-registered breeder must meet: the Dogs NZ paperwork within two weeks, at no extra cost.

Under the Dogs NZ Breeders Code of Conduct, registered breeders agree not to transfer from their care any puppy under the age of eight calendar weeks, to provide health test results upon request, and to disclose known health issues in the breed. Dogs NZ also recommends that pet puppies have endorsements placed on their registration, most commonly specifying 'Not to be bred from and/or shown'. Registration regulations also provide for 'Pet only' endorsements.

Dogs NZ strongly recommends using a written sales contract and provides a recognised contract for breeders and buyers.

After you bring your puppy home: the legal bits

Under section 36(3) of the Dog Control Act 1996, anyone who purchases or acquires an unregistered dog must apply to register it with the council straight away, or before the dog turns three months old, whichever is later.

Section 36A requires newly registered dogs to be microchipped within two months of registration. For council registration details, see our NZ dog registration guide.

Under the Dog Control Act 1996, Schedule 4 lists only the Brazilian Fila, Dogo Argentino, Japanese Tosa, Perro de Presa Canario, and American Pit Bull Terrier type; the Pug is not on it.

Sources

• https://www.dogsnz.org.nz/breeds/info/pug/160
• https://www.dogsnz.org.nz/breeds/pug
• https://www.dogsnz.org.nz/pedigree/puppies/pug/160
• https://www.dogzonline.co.nz/breeds/puppies/pug.asp
• https://www.dogzonline.co.nz/breeds/breeders/pug.asp
• https://www.dogsnz.org.nz/breeders/info/pug/160
• https://www.dogsnz.org.nz/clubs/info/pug/160
• https://www.dogsnz.org.nz/health/rfg-scheme
• https://nzpugrescue.org.nz/about-nz-pug-rescue/
• https://www.dogsnz.org.nz/dogs/buying-a-dog
• https://www.dogsnz.org.nz/dogs/registered-dog-benefits
• https://www.dogsnz.org.nz/pdfs/regs-registration.pdf
• https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1996/13/en/latest/
• https://www.spca.nz/adopt/why-we-charge-adoption-fees