Waiting for Santa!
The Pug is a breed that makes people smile! From his adorable face to his “tough-but tiny” appearance, this “miniature mastiff” has been enchanting dog lovers for centuries! One of the oldest known breeds, this delightful little dog is considered to be of Chinese origin and has known documentation dating to 700 BC. It’s importation to the Americas came through England and before that Holland, Germany and Spain around the 15th Century. The first Pug Standard (blueprint of the breed) was developed in England in 1883.
The Pug reached the height of its popularity in the Victorian era and, perhaps more than any other breed, it has been owned by people from all stations in life. European and English royalty, aristocracy and ordinary working people, all favoured the Pug. Henry II of France, Marie Antoinette, Napoleon’s wife, the Empress Josephine and William Hogarth all kept Pugs. It was William III and Queen Mary who first brought the breed to England from Holland, when ascending The English throne in 1689.
George III’s wife, Queen Charlotte, kept Pugs. These dogs were of German origin. Queen Victoria, who loved all dogs, was particularly fond of Bully, a fawn Pug, who was given to her by Prince Albert and lived many happy years with his mistress. In more recent times the breed found favor with Duke and Duchess of Windsor and were their constant companions for many years. During her lifetime the Duchess owned twelve of these dogs.
Pugs are best known for their desire for human contact and affection. They were bred for this express purpose, having no other job todo but be a companion to us. They display no natural aptitude for hunting or herding and do not dig. Pugs and children were meant for each other. They are outgoing, cheerful, amusing, mischievious, sensitive and extremely charming, winning over many unsuspecting people in their daily rounds. The Pugs’ expressive face allows it to easily communicate with it’s owners; there’s no mistaking that soulful “give me a treat” look, or the more urgent “let me out – I gotta go!” face.
The Pug is the largest member of the Toy Group and should be decidedly square in appearance, with a round head and plenty of substance. Pugs should give the impression of a ‘lot of dog in a small package’.
Grooming is minimal; however, Pugs shed all year and have two major sheds a year in addition. Don’t get a Pug if you suffer from allergies to pets. If your space is limited, a Pug makes an excellent pet in an apartment or small house, and his exercise needs can be confined to frequent short walks or a small back yard.
The colors of Pugs can be described as black and fawn – with fawn being broken down into silver fawn and apricot fawn, with black faces. Silver fawn is extremely rare and looks cold as the white or silver of moonlight, with apricot fawn giving one the impression of warmth because of the yellow or cream cast to the coat. The fawn colors should be as clear as possible with no black hairs mixed in with the fawn giving a ‘smutty’ cast to the coat. The black Pugs should be glossy jet black with no tinge of rust or fawn in the coat.
Care of the Pug is minimal. Daily light brushing to keep down the hair and cleansing of the over nose wrinkle at least once a week, sometimes more often depending on the size of the wrinkle. A soft moist cloth is all that is needed to clean the nose wrinkle.
Pugs belong to the brachycephalic group of dogs (short muzzled or flat faced) so it is extremely important to keep in mind that these dogs do not have the cooling system that other longer nosed breeds have, and can suffer immensely in the heat. Many Pugs die every year from heat exhaustion. They must be guarded against the heat and kept where there is shade and cool temperatures. The Pug is an indoor dog and couldn’t live outdoors in the cold.
Because Pugs love their food so much, you will have to make sure that the diet is strictly enforced. No people food except vegetables and fruit. A dog food that is wheat and corn free is the best.
The Pug’s most famous behavior is the ‘Pug Scoot’. This is running in crazed circles with ears back and tail tucked between their legs. Once you see it, you won’t forget it! Pugs love to sleep on your feet or on your lap and they are addictive. Few people can restrict themselves to just one!
Pugs are generally sturdy and healthy, but some potential health problems have been associated in the breed including, but not limited to, collapsing Larynx, , collapsing and small trachea, demodectic mange, elongated solt palate, entropion, hemivertebra, hernias, hip/elbow dysplasia, luxating patellas, pigmentary keratitis, Pug Dog Encephalitis (PDE) and seizure disorders. For such an ancient breed, there are very few attributable genetic disorders.
If you want a pet that will give you unconditional love, companionship, and long life (10 – 15 years), then you deserve a Pug because these little dogs can give you all that!
Recommended Reading
Most of these books can be purchased online through Amazon.com. Just click the book’s image or title to purchase.
MEET THE PUG FOR YEARS OF HAPPINESS
by Louise V. Gore and Marcy Heathman.
THE NEW PUG
by Shirley Thomas.
THE BOOK OF THE PUG
by Joan MacDonald Brearley.
PUGSA Complete Pet Owner’s Manual
by Phil Maggitti, published by Barron’s
Mr. Maggitti writes from his own experience with Pugs.
THE PUG
by Susan Graham Weall
THE CANADIAN KENNEL CLUB – BOOK OF DOGS
by the Canadian Kennel Club
100 – 89 Skyway Avenue
Etobicoke, Ontario
M9W 6R4.
PUG TALK Magazine
Published six times a year
Subscriptions to:
Pug Talk
5031 Plover Road
Wisconsin Rapids, WI
54494-9705 USA
www.pugtalk.com
A must read for every true Pug lover!
Some of the best books are out of print, but can occasionally be found on eBay, Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble in their ‘Out of Print’ section.
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