KABOVA & MACKERLY PUGS
			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 – 8.1 kilos. Plump Pugs are as undesirable as thin ones. The head and tail are the breed's 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 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 ‘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 Caesarean 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.