Pug Dogs

The Pug is a gay little dog that looks extremely elegant if not allowed to indulge its inherent passion for food. It makes a charming family pet and an amusing, devoted, impish companion.

Origin and history

Pugs originated at least 2,500 years ago in the Orient, where these rascally looking dogs were favourites in the Buddhist monasteries in Tibet, the earliest known source of the breed. From China, Pugs matriculated to Japan and then to Europe. They were fawned over by members of the royal court wherever they went.

After a Pug had saved the life of William, Prince of Orange by warning of the approach of the Spaniards at Hermingny in 1572, Pugs became the official dogs of the House of Orange. Thus, several Pugs were included in William II's retinue when he landed at Torbay to be crowned King of England.

Soon afterwards the breed became particularly fashionable in England and then in France, where Josephine's Pug Fortune is said to have bitten the future emperor Napoleon when he entered the bedchamber on his wedding night. An irresistible and stalwart little dog that meets life head on, the Pug sports its own motto ­ 'Multum in Parvo' - which means 'a lot of dog in a small space'.

Pug Puppies

Good points

• Manageable size
• Happy disposition
• Good with children
• Affectionate
• Intelligent

Take heed

• Overfeeding will result in a gross, short-lived dog rather than an elegant, healthy companion
• The Pug's breathing apparatus isn't all it might be, so owners must guard against vigorous exertion and overheating in warm weather

Size

The weight should be 14-181b (6A-8.2kg), but if allowed to over­indulge the Pug will eat itself out of the toy dog category.

Exercise

An energetic dog, the Pug wil relish more exercise than many breeds of similar size. But remember that gluttony and a tendency to over­weight go hand in hand, as will fatness and lethargy if the animal's greed is indulged.

Pug Information

General appearance
A decidedly square and cobby dog that is characterized by compactness of form, well-knit proportions and hardness of developed muscle. A lean, leggy Pug or one that has short legs and a long body are. equally objectionable.

Colour
Silve_ apricot, or fawn with an intensely coloured black mask and a somewhat less intensely coloured black trace down the spine. There should be a distinct and obvious contrast between the body colour and the facial mask and trace. Pugs also come in black, which should be a deep, even black allover.

Head and skull
Head large, massive, round - not apple­headed - with no indentation of the skull. Muzzle short, blunt, square but not upfaced. Wrinkles large and deep.

Body
Short and cobby. The chest should be wide, the ribs well sprung, and the legs well under. Proper lay back of shoulder is critical to the proper alignment of the front legs.

Tail (Twist)
Curled as tightly as possible over the hip. The double curl is perfection.

Feet
Neither so long as the foot of a hare, nor so round as that of a cat; well-split-up toes; the nails should be black.

Pug Feeding & Grooming

Grooming

A frequent brushing should be sufficient.

Feeding

About 6-90z (170-255g) of a branded dog food with bisc\Jit added in equal part by volume; or 1 cupful of a dry food, complete diet, mixed in the proportion of 1 cup of feed to '/2 cup of warm water.

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