Originally published 2020-05-22.
Milkshake is a pug from London whose unusually pale coat lets his pink skin show through, which earned him the nickname "the pink pug." He is not an albino, according to his owner, and claims that he is one of only about 100 pink pugs in the world are her estimate rather than a verified count. In 2020, when his story spread through British newspapers, he was 17 months old and had tens of thousands of Instagram followers.
Below is what is known about Milkshake, what "pink" really means in a pug, how albinism differs from simply pale colouring, and what anyone tempted by a rare-looking puppy should keep in mind.
Who is Milkshake?
Milkshake belongs to Maria, a 33-year-old marketing manager from London, who brought him home at ten weeks old. His very light blonde hair sits over pink skin, and with his curled tail, fans often say he looks a little like a piglet.
Maria set up an Instagram account for him, @milkshakethepug, where she shares their days together: grooming and spa trips, dog shows and even visits to her office. The Daily Mail reported about 55,000 followers in early 2020, and the count passed 80,000 within a few months. Maria said many people had written to her saying his photos cheered them up after a bad day, which encouraged her to keep posting.
A post shared by 👑💕 Milkshake the Pink Pug 💕👑 (@milkshakethepug) on
What colours do pugs normally come in?
Breed standards recognise only a handful of pug colours: fawn, which is by far the most common, black, and in some registries apricot and silver. A pale or "platinum" fawn can look almost white in photos. "Pink" is not an official colour; it describes how the skin shows through a very light coat.
The breed itself is old. Pugs descend from short-faced companion dogs kept at the Chinese imperial court and reached Europe through Dutch traders in the 16th century. Royal households, from the House of Orange to Queen Victoria's family, helped make them fashionable, and their popularity has surged again in the social-media age.
A post shared by 👑💕 Milkshake the Pink Pug 💕👑 (@milkshakethepug) on
A post shared by 👑💕 Milkshake the Pink Pug 💕👑 (@milkshakethepug) on
Is Milkshake an albino?
Maria has said he is not, and that he simply has very blonde hair and very pink skin. Without veterinary or genetic testing nobody can say from photos alone exactly why his colouring looks the way it does, but there is a real difference worth understanding.
Albinism is an inherited absence of melanin, the pigment that colours skin, hair and eyes. Albino mammals often have pink or red-looking eyes, because the unpigmented iris lets blood vessels show through, and they can have poor vision and high sensitivity to light. Leucism and other pale-coat conditions reduce pigment in the coat but usually leave the eyes their normal dark colour. A dog with a light coat and normal dark eyes is generally not albino.
Pigment matters for health in some animals. In several species, including cats and some dog breeds with lots of white, pigment-related genes are linked with a higher chance of deafness. That is a reason to have a very pale dog checked by a vet, not a reason to assume any particular pale dog has a problem.
A post shared by 👑💕 Milkshake the Pink Pug 💕👑 (@milkshakethepug) on
How rare are pink pugs?
The figure of "as few as 100 pink pugs worldwide" came from Maria and was repeated in many articles. There is no registry that counts pink pugs, so the number cannot be checked. Unusual-looking pugs certainly exist, and some breeders advertise "rare" colours, but rarity labels are often used to justify much higher prices.
That is worth taking seriously. Breeding for an unusual look can concentrate the genes behind it and does nothing for a dog's wellbeing. A well-bred pug of any colour, from a breeder who health-tests parents, is a better choice than a "rare" one from a seller who cannot answer questions about health.
A post shared by 👑💕 Milkshake the Pink Pug 💕👑 (@milkshakethepug) on
Caring for a pale-coated pug
All pugs share the health challenges of a flat-faced breed, whatever their colour. Their short muzzles can make breathing noisy and laboured, they overheat easily, and they are prone to eye injuries, skin-fold problems, joint issues and weight gain. The Netherlands restricted the breeding of short-faced breeds, including pugs, in 2023.
A very light coat adds a few considerations:
- Sun. Pink skin under thin, pale hair can burn. Shade on hot days matters, and a vet can advise on pet-safe sun protection.
- Heat. Pugs struggle in warm weather in any colour, so walks are best kept to cooler parts of the day.
- Weight. Pugs gain weight easily, and extra weight makes breathing harder. Portion control does more than any special diet.
- Check-ups. If you are unsure about hearing, eyesight or skin, talk to a vet rather than guessing.
A post shared by 👑💕 Milkshake the Pink Pug 💕👑 (@milkshakethepug) on
Why Milkshake's story caught on
Part of the appeal is simple: he looks unlike almost any pug most people have seen. But the messages Maria received suggest something else too. Following a cheerful animal through an ordinary week, with a spa visit here and an office meeting there, gives people a small daily lift. Milkshake is a good example of a pet loved for who he is, with his colouring as a talking point rather than a price tag.
If you follow pet accounts like his, it helps to remember that a polished feed shows the best moments. Behind them is the same routine every pug needs: short walks in cool weather, careful feeding, regular vet visits and plenty of company. Those everyday basics, not a rare coat, are what make a dog like Milkshake happy and healthy.
Sources: Milkshake the Pink Pug on Instagram (photos), Wikipedia: Pug, Wikipedia: Albinism in biology.
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