Doug the Pug is the jet-setting celebrity and King of Pop Culture, living in Nashville with his owner, “momager”, social media guru and photographer, Leslie Mosier.
They were on their first visit to Toronto to meet fans at Woofstock 2016, staying in the perfect hotel for a King- the Fairmont Royal York.
We met up with the pair to chat about Doug’s suite pug-life and what it takes to be the internet’s favourite pet.
Meet Doug the Pug
Describe Doug the Pug in three words:
Chill, funny, sometimes lazy.
Doug makes millions of people smile each day across his various social media platforms, including everyone on our team of super fans.
Doug has over 3.8 million adoring followers on Instagram alone, 95 thousand friends on Twitter , over 45 thousand subscribers on YouTube and over 5 million engaged fans on Facebook.
Leslie’s genius viral photos and videos keep us all entertained and coming back for more.
What is the best part of being the social media mogul ‘Doug the Pug’?
Just getting to spend a ton of time together every day and getting to go on adventures, and doing things we normally wouldn’t get to do if we were not on the internet.
What’s Doug like at home?
He does a lot of quirky pug things. He mostly just wants to eat, he sleeps a lot, and is just chill.
Is Doug a snuggler or a bed hog?
Both, he starts snuggler then turns into a bed hog.
Does Doug have any siblings or any possibility of future siblings? Those photos on Instagram with Penelope Pearl were so cute!
I would love to get a little girl pug in the future, but we travel too much to take the plunge. I love Penelope, she’s our neighbour and so precious. Doug loves her too.
Doug is a huge celebrity with some very famous friends including Ed Sheeran, Pentatonic, John Legend, Chrissy Teigen and Justin Bieber to name a few. Which celebrity had the best reaction to meeting Doug?
Chrissy Teigen walked him down the red carpet, and it was before Doug had many social media followers, which was big for me, but Ed Sheeran also freaked out, which was cool.
Has Doug ever been starstruck?
Doug knows when he’s meeting someone special and gets his puppy thing going and freaks out.
Doug seems like a very social pug, does he have a best friend?
Yes, he has lots of Doggy friends, and he meets up with his friends in different cities.
Doug is known for being a stylish pug with an extensive wardrobe. He even has his own online merch store including a pug inspired apparel line and custom Doug accessories. I have his Pug N Chill Tee. Does Doug have a stylist and what’s his favourite outfit or style?
He doesn’t have a stylist, but we have a team that designs the merch. His favorite style is the baseball tee and the beanie, it’s one of my favorite looks on Doug.
Does Doug have a girlfriend and what does he look for in a mate?
Doug is single and looking for someone who can keep up with his celebrity lifestyle.
How does he keep his buff body?
He eats a really healthy diet of raw food, goes for long walks and goes to the park.
Doug’s been in a couple music videos already and currently lives in the musical city of Nashville. Does he have any musical talents? Can we expect a Doug the Pug mix tape?
No. He doesn’t have any musical talents, but maybe a Doug theme song is in the works.
Q & A With Doug’s Mom Leslie
What do you have to do to get a treat at your house or on the road?
Usually, treats are for taking photos, and he loves photos because he knows he gets to eat the treats.
Have you always been a pug lover?
Yes, forever. Ever since I can remember, I’ve always wanted a pug. I wanted a dog I can cuddle with. Pugs are so loving and very attached to their owners. I think that’s why my relationship with Doug is so close.
How do you come up with Doug’s photo shoot and video ideas?
It’s a constant everyday thing, we post two times a day every day, two videos a week. I’m always looking for inspiration.
What was your first video with Doug?
The first video that went viral was the pug balloon tied around Doug’s waist.
What’s your favourite video you’ve made with Doug so far?
I would say the Breaking Bad spoof, The Walking Dead, Friends, or Harry Pugger.
We’ve pre-ordered his new book Doug the Pug: King of Pop Culture.What’s next for Doug?
There’s so much coming up, a lot is going to happen when the book comes out. We’re going on a book tour, and then a calendar and coloring book!
Order your own copy of his book HERE and his 2017 wall calendar
How has Doug changed your life?
Doug has changed my life 360, my life is so amazing because I get to hang out with him all day, I used to work at a job where I wasn’t my own boss, and now I get to do what I feel is best for the both of us.
What Are Your Top Must Haves?
- Travel Items: Collapsable water bowl and water.
- For a Doug video or photo shoot: An extra memory card and treats.
- Dog Toys: Hedgie, it’s Doug’s favourite toy.
- Dog Treats: Healthy raw food.
- For a good night’s sleep: Wearing Doug out.
- For plane or car rides: Doug loves it when I bring a neck pillow.
- For red carpet events: A lint roller.
- For the dog park: Water.
- For a great party: Pizza!
- On Spotify or other music playlists: Doug’s Spotify playlist.
- For a fashionable look: Bandana and extra shirt.
Are you a Doug fan like us? Tell us about it in the comments below!
Want more Doug? Follow Doug the Pug’s
Facebook: /itsdougthepug
Youtube: /leslieanddoug
Twitter: @Itsdougthepug
Instagram: @itsdougthepug
Summary
Name
Doug the Pug
Nickname
(The King of Pop Culture)
Job Title
Celebrity Pug, King of Pop Culture
Company
ItsDougThePug
I can see why you’re popular, Doug the Pug. What a cutie!
I know- so cute and his Mom is so fun
Doug is quite the pug! I love the photo of him getting the royal treatment with the pizza and robe.
That’s my favourite too. The Fairmont Royal York was amazing. The bathrobe cracks me up.
Doug the Pug is living the dream! I love his video spoofs. Can’t wait for the book and book tour – would love to get his paw-tograph.
There’s something about pugs that make them photogenic in an unconventional way. Maybe it’s because they look like little aliens. I still think of Men in Black when I see one. (What are you hiding little pug?)
I like Pugs. If I ever were to have a small dog, it would be a Pug. Well, Puggle. I like for my dogs to have a bit more legs.
I love Pugs. If I ever had a small dog, that would be it.
I am with you there – never planned for a small dog but fostered Kilo the Pug based on his cute face and desperate need and the rest is history. He can jump like a ninja and has such a big personality, he does not feel like a small dog. Plus he can be reactive so thank goodness he is small physically.
Doug the Pug is so adorable! I bet he is fully spoiled rotten too LOL!
He is just adorable, there is something magical about pugs
I love Doug the Pug. He is hilarious.
So funny. Interesting the strategy – 2 posts per day etc. Leslie is brilliant and funny.
Well you just can’t help but smile reading this interview. I absolutely love Pugs, and they are just really under-rated small dogs who are just BIG personalities inside a snorty, wrinkled, fur covered bundle of love! I’ll look forward to more adventures from Doug!
I love that Doug is single and what he’s looking for! This video is awesome — and Doug is my FAV — like that he starts out snuggling and ends up as a bed hog. This was a great interview. I need to interview Crusoe!
You should definitely interview Crusoe. They are SO great- smart, talented and a handsome, well-trained, much-loved pup. Message Ryan on their site. I think that’s one of the things that impressed me most. These are such nice people and dogs.
I follow Doug the Pug on Instagram, so I loved this opportunity to get to know a little bit more about him.
Thanks!
Love pugs they are so cute. A lady had two we saw when We went shopping – I was so tempted to run away with them!!
Wow, that is some serious VIP treatment from the Fairmont. A plush robe and bone pizza? He is kind of a big deal. Doug the pug is adorable!
I must live in a cave because this is the first I ever heard of Doug the Pug. :/ Can see why he’s so famous, though! Nice interview!
Doug is such a cutie! He has had an amazing career. Manna hopes that someday she will have a big following like that. I love coming across Doug’s videos online.:)
I see Doug everywhere, how cool that you got to interview him!! I didn’t know he enjoyed a raw diet, awesome.
Nice to meet you, Doug the Pug!
Doug the Pug is such a cutie. I grew up with larger dogs, so I don’t know what it’s like to live with a smaller dog.
I love the photo of the pizza and bathrobe. He is an adorable dog.
Yes – that’s my favourite too. He really is so cute.
Wonderful interview! Doug is just precious. We’ll swing over & get social with him. Phoebe thinks he is super cool!
Love & biscuits,
Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them
Doug is a real cutie!
Sooo jealous you got to meet DOUG! I hope his book tour comes to my neck of the woods.
His mom is a big inspiration, it’s so awesome that she turned her obsession with her pug into a career! I also didn’t know Doug was on a raw diet! He’s always photographed with yummy junk foods but he eats a super healthy diet IRL.