Meet the Pug

Right Breed for You?

The Pug is well described by the phrase "multum in parvo", which means "a lot of dog in a small space." They are recognized for their even-tempers, playful personalities, and their outgoing, loving dispositions. This square and cobby breed comes in fawn, silver fawn, apricot fawn or black, with a well-defined "mask" on his muzzle. A popular companion dog, the pug also excels in the show ring.

** Important to Note: The "Puggle" is NOT a Pug. It is a combination of a Beagle and a Pug. It is NOT a "designer dog" as it is sometimes called. A "Puggle" is a "mixed breed" and is NOT recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) This Club only deals with and recognizes the Pure Bred Pug Breed.

For any questions about the lovable Pug, and to make sure you are choosing the right breed for your family, please feel free to contact any one of our Officers and Board Members in the Club.

Toy Group; AKC recognized in 1885
Weighing between 14 to 18 pounds
Companion dog

Pug History

A Look Back - The Pug is one of the oldest breeds of dogs and has flourished since before 400 BC. Authorities agree that the Pug breed is of Chinese origin with some basic similarities to the Pekingese. China is the earliest known source for Pugs, where they were pets of the Buddhist monasteries in Tibet.

The breed next appeared in Japan and Europe, where it became the favorite for various royal courts when Prince William II became the King of England. He owned Pugs and they became the fashionable breed for generations.

The Pug became the official dog of the House of Orange in Holland. One of the breed saved the life of William, Prince of Orange, by giving alarm at the approach of the Spaniards at Hermingny in 1572. The dog appears in the effigy of the monarch over William's tomb. Later when William II landed at Torbay to be crowned King of England, his cortege included Pugs.

By 1790 the Pug's popularity had spread to France where Josephine, wife of Napoleon, depended on her Pug named "Fortune" to carry secret messages under his collar to her husband while she was imprisoned at Les Carmes.

In In 1860 British soldiers sacked the Imperial Palace in Peking, and dogs of the Pug and Pekingese type were brought back to England. This was the first time since the early 16th century that dogs in any great number had been brought out of China.

Though called "Mopshond" (Dutch, "to grumble") in Holland, and "Carlin" in France, the name "Pug" probably comes from the dog's facial expression, which is similar to that of the marmoset monkeys that were popular pets of the early 1700's and known as Pugs

Black Pugs were imported from China and exhibited for the first time in England in 1886. One year earlier, in 1885, the Pug had been accepted for registration with the American Kennel Club.

All information taken from The American Kennel Club, Inc.
http://www.akc.org/breeds/pug/index.cfm

Pug Breed Standard

General Appearance
Symmetry and general appearance are decidedly square and cobby. A lean, leggy Pug and a dog with short legs and a long body are equally objectionable.

Size, Proportion, Substance
The Pug should be multum in parvo, and this condensation (if the word may be used) is shown by compactness of form, well knit proportions, and hardness of developed muscle. Weight from 14 to 18 pounds (dog or bitch) desirable. Proportion square.

Head
The head is large, massive, round–not apple-headed, with no indentation of the skull. The eyes are dark in color, very large, bold and prominent, globular in shape, soft and solicitous in expression, very lustrous, and, when excited, full of fire. The ears are thin, small, soft, like black velvet. There are two kinds–the "rose" and the "button." Preference is given to the latter. The wrinkles are large and deep. The muzzle is short, blunt, square, but not upfaced. Bite-A Pug's bite should be very slightly undershot.

Neck, Topline, Body
The neck is slightly arched. It is strong, thick, and with enough length to carry the head proudly. The short back is level from the withers to the high tail set. The body is short and cobby, wide in chest and well ribbed up. The tail is curled as tightly as possible over the hip. The double curl is perfection.

Forequarters
The legs are very strong, straight, of moderate length, and are set well under. The elbows should be directly under the withers when viewed from the side. The shoulders are moderately laid back. The pasterns are strong, neither steep nor down. The feet are neither so long as the foot of the hare, nor so round as that of the cat; well split-up toes, and the nails black. Dewclaws are generally removed.

Hindquarters
The strong, powerful hindquarters have moderate bend of stifle and short hocks perpendicular to the ground. The legs are parallel when viewed from behind. The hindquarters are in balance with the forequarters. The thighs and buttocks are full and muscular. Feet as in front.

Coat
The coat is fine, smooth, soft, short and glossy, neither hard nor woolly.

Color
The colors are fawn or black. The fawn color should be decided so as to make the contrast complete between the color and the trace and mask.

Markings
The markings are clearly defined. The muzzle or mask, ears, moles on cheeks, thumb mark or diamond on forehead, and the back trace should be as black as possible. The mask should be black. The more intense and well defined it is, the better. The trace is a black line extending from the occiput to the tail.

Gait
Viewed from the front, the forelegs should be carried well forward, showing no weakness in the pasterns, the paws landing squarely with the central toes straight ahead. The rear action should be strong and free through hocks and stifles, with no twisting or turning in or out at the joints. The hind legs should follow in line with the front. There is a slight natural convergence of the limbs both fore and aft. A slight roll of the hindquarters typifies the gait which should be free, self-assured, and jaunty.

Temperament
This is an even-tempered breed, exhibiting stability, playfulness, great charm, dignity, and an outgoing, loving disposition.

DISQUALIFICATION - Any color other than fawn or black.

Approved April 8, 2008
Effective June 3, 2008

Pug Health Guide

Visit http://pugs.org/pug-health-guide/  for a list of information regarding the health of your pug.