Pug maze helps pups keep moving during Winnipeg winters

It truly is a thing of beauty and it’s a source of absolute joy for a pair of dogs in Winnipeg.

“Forget about that corn maze, it’ll be a pug maze,” said Brian Einarson, a dedicated pug dad who every year creates the spanning snow structure for his animals. 

And while people need to get pretty creative to enjoy a Winnipeg winter, perhaps no greater example exists in the city’s North End, as for the past 16 years a Einarson has transformed his backyard into a true winter wonderland. 

“It’s a good way to keep them healthy in the wintertime, eh? Any pug owner can tell you, they hate being inside in the winter time,” said Einarson. 

What began as a clever way to dispose of his pups’ waste has evolved greatly over the years for Einarson, who works tirelessly each winter creating the elaborate tunnel system for his pugs Tino and Sadie to play in. 

“When it’s – 40 C, I can only stay out about a couple half-hours at a time,” he said, saying creating the tunnel of pug is no small feat. 

By the time he’s finished einarson estimates it takes about 40 hours to build the tunnels, chipping away each day when he comes home from work no matter the winter conditions.

Spreading snacks throughout the maze, he says for Sadie, 12, and Tino, nine, the snow tunnels are a yearly tradition and a competition.

“I open the door, they mad-dash,” he said. “It’s a race to see who can get the most treats.”

But now with Sadie and Tino approaching retirement, Einarson says it may be time to pass the tradition on to the next generation.

“They love it, it’s 15 years now and bout’ time to get new pugs,” he said. 

For people who want to stay up to date with Einarson and the labyrinth-loving pups, they can be found under the handle @Pugs_In_Snow_Tunnels online.