Welcome to Dixie Pugs of Tennessee
We’re so glad you’re here. At Dixie Pugs of Tennessee, our dogs are family first—and that philosophy extends to every puppy family who becomes part of our journey. We invite you to explore our program, learn about our dogs, and get a feel for the care, intention, and heart that go into every litter we raise.
If you have questions at any point or would like more information, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We love connecting with future puppy families and are always happy to help.
Waitlist Updates
🐾 Fawn Puppies
Our waitlist for future fawn litters is currently open and accepting new applications.
For full details on our adoption process, please visit our Adoption Process page.
🐾 Black Puppies
Our waitlist for black puppies is currently closed.
Our beloved Bessie has retired, and our next black female will not be joining our program until next spring. We anticipate it will be 2–3 years before we plan another black litter, allowing our young female time to fully mature and complete all required health testing and evaluations.
During this time, we are happy to refer families to a few trusted, ethical breeders we know and respect:
- Buckingham Pugs (Alabama) — where our future black girl will be coming from
- Sweetie Pie Pugs (North Carolina) — where Bessie came from
Supporting responsible, like-minded breeders is part of preserving and protecting this wonderful breed.
Breeding With Purpose, Not Convenience
Responsible breeding is about far more than pairing two dogs and waiting 63 days for puppies. As breeders, we are entrusted with the responsibility of preserving, improving, and protecting the Pug breed—now and for generations to come.
Our focus is on:
- Health
- Temperament
- Structure and breed standard
- Sound minds and confident puppies
Every breeding decision is made intentionally, using health testing, temperament evaluation, and careful matching to produce healthy, beautiful, well-adjusted puppies.
Health Testing & Veterinary Care
We perform comprehensive health testing on our breeding dogs, including genetic screening for conditions known within the Pug breed:
- Pug Dog Encephalitis / Necrotizing Meningoencephalitis (PDE/NME)
- Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency (PKD)
- Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)
- Primary Lens Luxation (PLL)
In addition to genetic testing, our dogs receive routine physical evaluations by our veterinarian. Results are carefully reviewed and used to guide breeding pair selections, ensuring the healthiest possible outcomes for every puppy born.
Early Foundations: ENS & Puppy Aptitude Testing
Our puppies are raised using Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) and Puppy Aptitude Testing (PAT) to support confidence, resilience, and emotional development. These early foundations help prepare our puppies for their future homes and allow us to thoughtfully match each puppy with the right family and lifestyle.
Lifelong Learning & Lifelong Support
We are committed to continuing education and staying current on best practices in breeding, canine health, and puppy development. We regularly participate in veterinarian-led and industry-sponsored seminars, webinars, and educational trainings through reputable organizations such as the AKC and Revival.
Ongoing education allows us to continually refine our program, improve the care we provide to our dogs, and better support our puppy families.
Our relationship doesn’t end when a puppy goes home. We are proud to offer lifelong breeder support, because once you bring home a Dixie Pug, you become part of our extended family.
🐾 Puppy Scam Awareness PSA (Social Media)
🚨 Puppy Scam Awareness 🚨
Unfortunately, puppy scams are becoming more common—especially online. A little education can go a long way in protecting families and dogs.
✔️ Work directly with a breeder or rescue you can verify
✔️ Be cautious of brokers or middlemen
✔️ Never send money via Western Union or untraceable payment methods
✔️ Ethical breeders are open, communicative, and accountable
✔️ Trust your instincts—if something feels off, it probably is
Responsible breeders care just as much about who their puppies go to as families do about where their puppy comes from.
👉 Learn more about how to protect yourself and your future puppy in our Resources & Policies section. (Coming soon!)
This information is shared for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional, legal, or veterinary advice.
