Pug Information
Playful, charming, and dignified - A lot of dog in a little package
Introduction
The origin of the Pug is lost in the mists of ancient civilisation. The breed is probably more
than 1000 years old and was developed as a beloved companion of royalty from the
same stock that produced the Pekingese.
Emperors of China's various dynasties from the Shang Dynasty 3000 years ago bred a
variety of small dogs as companions. These dogs shared in the special attention accorded
their courtly masters; they had their own attendants and rode in specially built carriages.
By the end of the 17th Century, breeders produced "sleeve dogs," dwarf specimens small
enough to hitch a ride in the huge sleeves of royal garments. By this time, the Pug was
distinctly different from the Pekingese and the Lion Dog. As Chinese ports opened to
European traders, dogs were among the commodities offered. The Dutch East India
Company probably brought the Pug to Holland, and from there the breed went to
England.
When William III landed in England in 1688 to assume the throne, he had several Pug
Dogs with him that sported orange ribbons, symbol of Holland's House of Orange. The
British took these spunky little dogs into their hearts; about 100 years later, they were
favourites of Queen Victoria and of France's Josephine. The English Queen ended the
practice of ear cropping for Pugs when she called a halt to the practice for all breeds in
the country. Ear cropping remains against the law in Australia.
Today's Pug
The standard for the breed describes the dog as multum in parvo - "much in a small
package" - a sturdy, compact, muscular, well-balanced dog weighing about 6.3 to€“ 8.1
kilos. Plump Pugs are as undesirable as thin ones.
The head and tail are the breeds most distinctive features. The Pug has almost no muzzle
and their face is marvellously wrinkled, giving them an expression of great wisdom or
great sorrow. Their skull is flat between the ears and looks square from the front; the jaw
cannot be weak or pinched, as it will spoil the Pug look. The ears are folded over; the
tips brush the sides of the face.
The tail is tightly curled over the hip and a double curl is highly desirable.
The Pug's skin is loose, but without wrinkle except on the head. They have a short,
double coat with a fine undercoat and fine glossy outer coat (pugs shed A LOT. I
wouldn't€™t even consider this breed if you aren't prepared to deal with shedding!). The
colours are black, fawn and silver (rare). Both the silver and fawn have a black mask,
black ears, and a fine black line (trace) from the back of the skull (occiput) to the tail.
Pugs should have a black diamond or a thumb print on the forehead and black moles on
the cheek. Pugs should not be a muddy colour.
The Pug should be a picture of strength with hard muscles, straight legs and topline, and
purposeful gait with a slight roll.
The Pug has a stable, even temperament and a playful, outgoing disposition. Pugs are a
favourite with children (although they can get a little excited, so supervision, at least at
first, is recommended) and with adults who have no children (I know I definitely prefer
them to children). They are a low activity, low maintenance dog, however they love walks
and this is not only a great bonding experience for you both, but it will also keep your pug
from becoming overweight (and won't hurt you either). Pugs are moderately easy to train,
and generally good with outsiders, but they will warn you when strangers approach.
Care and feeding
However, the breed is not without problems, and many are directly related to its
structure. The shortened muzzle can cause breathing problems and air-gulping, which can
give them gas and cause problems in hot, humid climates. Air conditioning in summer
months is essential. Their eyes bulge somewhat and can get scratched (watch those rose
bushes), and they can have eyelid or eyelash abnormalities.
Signs that they aren't taking the heat very well is easy to pick in brachiocephalic (short-
muzzled) dogs and include difficulty in breathing, wheezing, and heavy panting. Pugs in
heat distress should be cooled with cold water and taken to a veterinarian as soon as
possible.
Tooth and gum problems are also possible with pugs because of the slightly undershot
jaw. Owners should examine the mouth of a growing pup to make sure baby teeth are
not retained and to watch for mouth tumours. Brushing the teeth is strongly recommended
to prevent gum disease and bones should be part of their diet (chicken necks and wings,
brisket bones etc. NEVER feed your pug cooked bones as these can splinter possibly
causing death or a huge vet bill in the least, not to mention the pain and suffering to your
beloved puggie).
Other potential problems in the breed include patella luxation (dislocating kneecap), hip
dysplasia (degeneration or malformation of the hip joint), Legg-Perthes (breakdown of
the femoral head, the "ball" of the ball-and-socket hip joint), and a form of encephalitis
apparently unique to the breed.
Purchasing a Pug from a responsible breeder is crucial to getting a puppy who is free of
these problems. Although there are no guarantees, good breeders eliminate dogs with
genetic abnormalities from their breeding programs and provide a warranty and emotional
support if the pup should develop a problem as it grows.
Pugs have small litters, so good breeders often have a waiting list. Don't give up in
frustration and buy a Pug in a pet shop the possibility of getting a puppy that will develop
one or more of these problems is high as the source of pet shop puppies is more
interested in volume than quality.
If you buy a Pug with the idea of breeding her later, it is doubly important to buy from a
responsible breeder. The relatively massive head of this breed can cause birthing
problems, particularly if one rather large puppy is carried. A veterinarian must be aware
that whelping is near and be available for a Cesarean section if necessary.
Breeding toy dogs is a poor way to make any money, so owners should not breed with
the intention of getting back some of their investment in the dog. Toy breeds generally
have very small litters, and people tend to think that small dogs should cost less than large
ones. However, the expenses of breeding a small dog are comparable to those of
breeding a large dog if the proper testing, nutritional program, and prenatal care are given
to the bitch. If extraordinary measures are needed to whelp the litter or care for the
puppies, the loss on the litter could be hundreds of dollars. It's a better idea to desex the
bitch and cherish her as a companion, and buy another puppy if one Pug isn't enough,
unless you are absolutely certain of what you are doing.