Pug Breed Description

An Owner's Pug Description
Long before the movie "Men in Black" made this dog a household word, I'd owned several pugs. My latest was christened Smug the Pug, Smug for short. One of the wonderful characteristics of this breed is their expressive face. With big eyes and wrinkled brows, they appear to give you a glimpse into the thoughts running through their minds. Sometimes it's an obvious question mark as they will have that stumped-the-pug look. Other times, as was the case with Smug, you could see from his expression that he understood everything you were saying, which was a little scary.

It was just me and Smug living in California, so we only had each other to converse with. Smug would sit with me in the evening and intently listen to all my troubles. With each new thought I expressed, a new expression would cross his face. Sometimes he would tilt his head and mutter under his breath to add a bit more feeling and compassion. I always felt good after talking to Smug.

Okay, I know you are thinking that this guy needs to get a life or get help, one of the two. Actually, maybe I need both. But, as crazy as it seems, I do believe that Smug understood much of what we talked about. At the very least, and do I mean very least, I know that he understood my emotions and feelings. He knew when I was not on top of my game and when I was down. He was quite a companion that way, always giving me the impression that he understood what I was going through. I couldn't have gotten through my wife's death without him.

Introduction

The Pug is one of the oldest breeds and a devoted, faithful and loving companion. The Pug is believed to have been of Oriental origin with some basic similarities to the Pekingese. Easily adaptable, these dogs are at home anywhere, whether in a small apartment or vast country estate. This even tempered breed is playful, outgoing and dignified. It weighs an average of 14 to 18 lbs and is very compact in size. Its smooth coat comes in black, silver, apricot or fawn color. The breed is ideal for those people who live in where it doesn't get hot.

History

The name of the breed, Pug, may have origins from Old English words, ‘pugg’ or ‘puge’, which were lovesome terms for a playful devil or monkey. The Pug was bred to decorate the laps of the Chinese royalty during the reign of the Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 B.C.E.). Later, Pugs became popular in Tibet, where they were kept by monks. Eventually they reached Japan and Europe. The Chinese had another name for the breed, ‘Lion Dog.’ This was in reference to its resemblance to Chinese guardian lions, which were considered to be a guardian spirit. The breed came to Europe in the 16th century, when it was imported by the merchants and crews of the Dutch East Indies Trading Company. In 1572, a Pug saved the life of a Prince of the House of Orange by barking at an assassin; it was made the official dog of that House. When William III and Mary II left the Netherlands to ascend the throne of England in 1688, they were accompanied by a Pug. The popularity of the breed increased in Europe in the 17th century, and Pugs were painted by Goya in Spain. The Pug arrived in U.S. during the 19th century.

General Description

The Pug has a square, stout and stocky appearance and symmetry. A lean and leggy Pug is a disqualification. The same applies to a Pug with short legs and long body. The Pug is characterized by compactness in form and hardness of developed muscles. He is also well proportioned. His head is large, bulky, and round with no indents in the skull. His eyes are typically dark and ball-shaped. His large, bold, and prominent eyes exhibit a solicitous expression. The same eyes are lustrous and full of fire when he is excited. The Pug's ears are thin and small and soft as black velvet. The Pug has a moderate coat, which is neither hard nor woolly. It is glossy, fine, smooth, short and soft. He comes in fawn or black color. The fawn color is marked and in complete contrast with trace and mask. Any other color than fawn or black is a disqualification of the breed.

Temperament

The strict demeanor of Pug does not reflect his playful nature. In reality he is a social dog although stubborn about certain things. The Pug is not easily agitated and has a stable temperament. Charming and playful, they carry themselves with dignity. They are outgoing and have a loving disposition. The Pug responds well to training and has a fair working intelligence. Sensitive to the tone of human voice, Pugs prefer the company of humans to that of other dogs and pets. Improper care of a Pug’s wrinkles may have a detrimental effect on his health. They are vulnerable to eye injuries that include puncture wounds and scratched corneas due to the lack of a pointed snout or skeletal ridges. The brachycephalic structure of the head causes difficulty in breathing. This makes it difficult for Pugs to regulate their body temperature properly. Never leave a Pug to overheat in a locked car or room as the consequences can be fatal. Pugs strive to please their people and be near them. His sturdiness makes him a favorite family dog.

Colors

The acceptable colors are silver, apricot-fawn, or black. The trace and the mask should be a drastic black contrast from the silver and apricot-fawn colors. Currently, the breed club is considering the placement of brindle amongst the color standard; however, it has not been approved.

Living Area

This is a dog that does well indoor because it was bred as a companion dog; however, with its flat muzzle, the pug does not do well as an outdoor dog. Its respiratory system and respiration are compromised in the heat and humidity and extreme cold. Owners must ensure shade and access to fresh water if they are making an outing during hot and humid weather. Exercising the pug during these times should be minimized.

Recognized By

CKC, FCI, AKC, UKC, ANKC, NKC, NZKC, APRI, ACR

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