Phoenix's Pugs      

Breed History

The origin of the Pug as a breed probably begins in ancient China, although it certainly didn't look the same as today's dogs. Dogs known as "short mouthed" dogs are described in writings that date to about 600 B.C. and were probably the forerunners of the modern breed that we call the Pug. Emperor Kang Hsi, about A.D. 950, commissioned a dictionary of all the Chinese characters, and in it there are two references which could describe the Pug: "dogs with short legs" and "a dog with a short head." By the 1300s there were three main types of dogs that are identifiable as founders of breeds of today: the Pekingese, the Japanese Spaniel, and the Pug.

It wasn't until the latter portion of the 1500s and early 1600s that China began trading with European countries such as Portugal, Spain, Holland and England. Small dogs presented as gifts returned from the Orient with the traders, and thus began the rise of the Pug in popularity in Europe. The Chinese had often interbred among the three types of dogs they favored, and so many times breeders would find a long haired Pug among a litter of puppies, as well as white spots on the head.

By the early 1900s, a book called Dogs in China and Japan had been written. This book drew heavily upon the experience of Wang Hou Chun, a servant who had bred and worked with the dogs in the Emperor's Imperial Palace for seventy five years. He used the term Lo-Sze to describe the Pug, noting that the differences between the Pug and Pekingnese were that the Pug always had a short coat, and very supple, elastic skin. Because of the short coat, the Pugs forehead wrinkles were more noticable, and the Chinese were always looking for wrinkles in certain patterns similar to Chinese letter characters. The most highly favored character that the Chinese looked for was the three wrinkles that together denoted the word, "Prince." Many Oriental Pugs, though, had a great deal of white on their bodies, and some were almost entirely white. These white and pinto spotted Pugs are documented in Europe as late as the end of the 1800s, but the lines that produced them were eventually allowed to be lost.

The Pugs that were traded to Europe seem to have first landed in Holland, possibly as a result of the famous trading company, the Dutch East India Company. The Dutch named the breed Mopshond, which is still in use today. Pugs were known to be within the household of William III and Mary II when they ascended to the throne of Great Britain in 1688. Black pugs are known to exist in the 1700s thanks to William Hogarth's painting of one in House of Cards (1730). The artist was a proud owner of pugs (a trait that seems to continue through to today), and depicted many in his paintings so that there is an excellent visual record of the Pugs appearance dating back 250 years.

The Pugs popularity spread throughout Europe, with the breed referred to in France as the Carlin, in Spain as the Dogullo, at the same time, they were Mops in Germany and the Caganlino in Italy. In France, the breed was popularized by Josephine Bonaparte, owner of the Pug named Fortune. Goya painted Pugs in Spain in 1785, showing the breed with cropped ears in his paintings.

By the turn of the century into the 1800s, Pugs became more standardised as a breed, with colors separating and settling into the contemporary "fawn" or "Isabella" and black colors. It is also known the the "black mask" was in place by now, too, as the breed had been referred to as the "Dutch Mastiff" from time to time, harking back the masked face of the much larger Mastiff breed.

The late 1800s saw the beginning of dog shows in England, and Pugs were first exhibited in 1861. The stud book began in 1871, and there were sixty-six Pugs in the first volume. The English Pugs developed mostly along the lines of two strains: the Willoughby and the Morrison lines. Each had consistent breeding traits, and the lines existed for many years as competitors.

Willoughby Pugs were developed by Lord Willoughby d'Eresby and had what is today considered a "smutty coat" because it had a mixing of fawn and black hairs in it. The color has been described as "stone fawn." The heads of these dogs were almost entirely black and they had wide traces, and even saddle marks on their backs (dark patches of hair shaped like the saddle of a horse). Their bodies were thin, and leggy. Mops and Nell were two prominent Willoughby Pugs that can be found as ancestors in Pug pedigrees even today.

Morrison Pugs, in contrast, had rich apricot-fawn colored coats and stocky, cobby bodies. The trace on their backs was very light brown rather than black, and the coats had few, if any, black hairs in them. This line is much more in line with the modern Pug of today. Punch and Tetty were the foundation dogs of the Morrison line. It's not uncommon to hear dogs referred to today as "Willoughby" or "Morrison" type - referring to the darker color of the Willoughby, and the lighter color of the "Morrison."

A major impact on the Pug breed in the 1800s occurred when, in 1860, two Pugs of "pure" Chinese lines were brought to England. These two dogs, Lamb and Moss, produced a son named Click, and Click..well, he clicked! Click was bred many times, and his blood helped to mix the Willoughby and Morrison lines making Pugs a better breed overall and shaping the modern Pug of today as we know it. 

Appearance of Today's Pug

Looks are what a Pug is all about. This man-made breed was created just to look like they do. Pugs are not French Bulldogs with fallen ears, and they're not miniature Mastiffs or Bullmastiffs. They're really not related to the Shar-Pei. About the closest thing to a Pug (besides another Pug) is a Pekingnese, and that's to be expected with their similar histories.

Pugs in the United States are classified as a Toy Breed, even though they are usually the largest of all the Toys. Pugs should weigh from 14 to 18 pounds, which makes them very sturdy dogs in the Toy Group. While they are described by weight, the dogs have to be in proportion to their height and bone. The body of the Pug is similar to that of a Bulldog, but not as large or as overdone. Their overall appearance should be square: the height from floor to top of withers should be equal to the length from the sternum (breastbone) to rump.

The Pug's head is the most unique and readily identifiable feature. The head itself should be round when you look at it from the front. From the side, the face should be flat without too much or too little chin. Pug eyes are round, dark, expressive and full of life. Their ears are set widely on the head, and there are two accepted types of ears: rose and button. Button ears fold over with the fold of the ear level with the top of the skull, and should not hang lower than the corner of the eye. Rose ears appear to be smaller and fold with the inner edge of the ear against the side of the head. The rose ear tends to give the head a smaller, more rounded appearance. Ears must be black all over. Wrinkles on the Pug head should be deep and easy to see because inside the wrinkle the color is darker than outside. One large over the nose wrinkle is preferred.

The other major identifiable feature of the Pug is his tail. The tail is set up high on the back, and should be curled tightly. The double curl (two complete loops) is the ideal tail that breeders try for, but a single tight loop or twist is acceptable. It is uncharacteristic of the breed to have a floppy loose tail that bounces over the Pugs back, or a Pug who carries his tail uncurled.

Pugs basically come in two colors: fawn and black. Either is acceptable, although the blacks seem to be harder to come by. Many times over the years the fawns have been called, "apricot fawn," "silver fawn," "stone fawn," etc. in an attempt to differentiate them, but they are all still just fawn Pugs. Apricot fawns will have a peach or apricot tint to the coat that can have an almost clear, cream colored base coat. The other fawn coat has a mixing of black-tipped guard hairs in it, making the dog appear darker and "cooler" in color. All of these colors are acceptable - it is only the very dark coloration over the entire body of the dog that is considered "smutty" and undesirable. Either color can have a few white hairs on the chest, and both colors will turn grey in the muzzle as they age.aping the modern Pug of today as we know it.

Why A Pug?

People seem to think that getting dog these days is just a matter of choosing one that looks cute to them. With so many different breeds of dogs being portrayed unrealistically in movies (Milo and Otis© comes to mind, as does Homeward Bound© and Pocahontas©, etc.) it's easy for people to think that dog ownership today is simple, a snap, a breeze, and that they'll have loving intelligent companions for the rest of their lives.

It ain't so.

Pugs are cute - if you love them, you think they are the cutest breed around. People who consider them ugly just don't see the beauty in the breed. Are you looking for a dog that will make you laugh? Then a Pug may be good for you - they are natural clowns and show offs. Are you looking for a dog that is good with children? Then a Pug may be good for you as they seem to consider children to be "pug-sized" people. Are you looking for a dog as a companion to your kids, to run after them on their bikes up the street? You should pass on Pugs - their sensitivity to heat and small size makes that almost a certain death situation. Do you want a small watch dog for an apartment situation? MAYBE a Pug can work - but it's not usual. Most Pugs won't know a stranger in their entire lives, let alone recognize a burglar. Do you want an easy to train dog? Pugs don't fall into that category in general - usually they want to please you, but sometimes it takes a Pug longer than other breeds to understand what you want. Do you want a short haired dog because it will shed less? Then run, don't walk, away from the Pug breed. This breed sheds copious amounts, usually seasonally. Do you want a dog that's almost human-like in personality? Then consider a Pug, as Pugs have more personality than they know what to do with!

So a Pug may not be for everyone, but it may be for you!

Health Concerns

Buying a healthy dog is important these days - so many people talk about "back yard breeders" and those people who "inbreed" their dogs. You'll find that being an informed purchaser will help you find caring, conscientious breeders. Breeders who "inbreed" are not necessarily bad breeders - but they should be able to tell you what their reasons are for the inbreeding that they do.

Reputable breeders will have some sort of health agreement with you - they'll want you to take your new puppy or dog to your own vet shortly after you get it home, so that you know it's doing okay. They should be knowledgable or at least familiar with the problems outlined here. Don't be afraid to ask questions of a breeder - good ones will share knowledge with you so that you understand what the advantages of buying from them is, but also the risks.

NO BREEDER can ever produce 100% healthy-for-life dogs. Just as in humans we cannot "breed out" certain problems in our own genetic makeup, dog breeders can only do their best to work towards limiting problems in a line of dogs. Line breeding and inbreeding are two of the tools that, when used properly, can help in identifying and reducing the health problems in a breed. A good breeder has a purpose in their breedings and can tell you why a litter was bred - something other than, "I own both the momma and the daddy."

Health concerns in Pugs center primarily on two areas: their head, and their legs, although other problems do exist. Pug heads cause problems because of the smooshed in faces instead of having the normal elongated face of most dogs. Head problems that are fairly common include:

• Cataracts
• Corneal Ulcers
• Dry Eye
• Eyelids and Eyelashs
• Elongated Soft Palatte
• Encephalitis
• Generalized Progressive Retinal Atrophy
• Pinched or Undersized Nostrils

Leg problems that occur in Pugs include:

• Hip Dysplasia
• Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease
• Slipped Stifles

Pugs also have a high incidence of demodectic skin mites (often called demodectic mange), especially when they are still puppies. Mange does require a veterinary to treat it. Some lines of Pugs do not whelp their own puppies well, and often require C-section surgery at birth.

Further Resources

There are many other places to find additional and more indepth information about Pugs in general and very specific information too. They are split up here into three categories: informative sites on the World Wide Web; resources available through bookstores; and magazines normally available only by subscription.

On the Web

Websites come and go often. Start at http://www.pugs.com, the home site of the Pug Breed FAQ, where more information is available. Two great resources are the home pages of the Pug Dog Club of America, and the Pug dog club for the United Kingdom.

Books

There have been many books published about Pugs over the years, but there are only a few currently in print, ranging from small helpful booklets to full sized hard cover books. The information found within will range accordingly. Good information specifically about pugs has become available through some recent books. All of the following can be ordered online at - the Pugs.Com Bookshelf

The newest serious Pug book available was written in England by Ellen Brown and is called "The Complete Pug." As the Pug Dog Club Historian from England, Mrs. Brown covers topics from history to choosing a pug, caring for your pug to training and showing. Not ALL Pug lines in England are covered, though. Lots of good pictures, and she spends plenty of space on Pugs around the world. .

Pug Breed Books come in many flavors. The well known, late great breeder, Louise Gore published a book called "Meet The Pug, For Years Of Happiness." Chapters include Background, The Standard, Heredity, Breeding, The Versatile Pug, Famous Dogs and People, Winning Dogs (with brief pedigrees on each one), and top Sires and Dams.

Another recent book is called "The New Pug" by breeder-judge Shirley Thomas. Chapters here include Origin and History, Judging, Caring for a Puppy, Grooming, Care and Training, Breeding and Whelping, Problems of Pugs and Pug in Obedience. This book, and the one above, are both great references for anyone getting started in pugs.

Another "new" Pug book is actually a modern (1996) reprint of two classics combined into one book and reissued. Called, "The Goodger Guide to the Pug" it combines the original books, The Pug Dog, Its History and Origin (1930) and The Pug Handbook (1959), both written by Wilhelmina Swainston-Goodger. This book is valuable for the Pug historian, but the methods of caring for and raising Pugs are well out of date.

Other Pug books:

PUGS, by Phil Maggitti, Pug owner.
YOUR PUG, by Esther Wolf, a Pug breeder, exhibitor and former AKC judge.
THE BOOK OF THE PUG, by Joan Brearley, Pug owner.
THE COMPLETE PUG, by James Trullinger, a Pug breeder, exhibitor, and former AKC judge.
HOW TO RAISE AND TRAIN A PUG, by Evelyn Miller.
KNOW YOUR PUG, Pet Library, Ltd. books on dogs.

Fun books - photos or fiction:

PUGS IN PUBLIC, by Kendall Farr and George Bennett.
PUG SHOTS, by Jim Dratfield (Photographer)
CLARA, THE EARLY YEARS, by Margo Kaufman.

The following are available only through the Pug Dog Club of America:

The 1995 PDCA Handbook, which contains photographs of many of the top dogs today and also general information on pugs, pug rescue, and pug health.

The Celebration of the Pug, 1885-1985, available to the public. Write Charlotte Corson at 12711 Mo. Bottom Rd., Hazelwood, MO 63042

Magazines

Pug Talk Magazine is an independent breed magazine printed six times a year:
Pug Talk Magazine is an independent breed magazine printed six times a year: Pug Talk Magazine
5031 Plover Road
Wisconsin Rapids,WI 54494
715-424-pugs (715-424-7847)
E-mail tupelo@wctc.net

The Pug Press Newsletter is a quarterly newsletter with tips, vet articles, photos, and fun pug stories. They also offer caresheets about the pug, and pug fiction. More information is available by writing Pug Press Newsletter.

The PDCA Bulletin, is published by the Pug Dog Club of America 3 times a year, and is available to members of the PDCA only.

Still have questions? Please contact us anytime! We look forward to hearing from you!