The Pug is thought to be one of the oldest breeds of dog on record, even though the first recorded appearance of the word pug in the English language did not occur until 1566. It was not until the middle of the next century that, according to The Oxford English Dictionary, the term pug came to mean “a dwarf breed of dog resembling a bull-dog in miniature”. Pugs are believed to have originated in the Orient, namely China, where they were documented by Confucius as early as 551 BC. We also know that the common forebearers for the Pug are the Pekingese and the Lion Dog. Pugs (or Lo-Sze which is an early name for pug) were considered prized possessions by Chinese emperors. Some were even given their own palaces, servants and guards. The Chinese sent Pugs as gifts to important individuals throughout Korea and Japan, thus spreading the popularity of these charming little dogs. The Dutch East India Company had a huge influence on the spread of the breed. Development of these important trade routes between Europe and the Far East brought Pugs to Portugal, Netherlands, Spain, France and England. Often times, soldiers gave them as gifts to loved ones when returning from China. Even though Pugs were well known in Italy and Spain throughout the eighteenth century, the Dutch are generally credited with being the agents of the Pug importation in Europe. It is in England where the blueprint of today’s modern Pug took shape. By 1800 two distinct strains dominated English bloodlines. The earlier was the Morrison line, and the later was the Willoughby line. Together, these lines are the key foundation to our Pugs today. In eighteenth century Britain, Pugs were considered highly fashionable both in court and among people with discerning taste. David Garrick, an English actor, once wrote, “A fine lady…keeps a pug dog and hates the Parsons”.


By the middle of the nineteenth century, however, the Pug popularity was in decline. Taplin, an English writer, described Pug dogs as, “applicable to no sport, appropriated to no useful purpose, susceptible of no predominant passion”. It is Queen Victoria who is credited for bringing the Pug back into favor once again. In Europe, the preferred color of Pug was a golden fawn. The origin of the black and silver Pug colors is not known. It is suspected that the black color was considered a birth defect, thus many of these unfortunate dogs were destroyed at birth. History does tell us that Queen Victoria had several black Pugs, as well as two silver Pugs named Ayan and Mops. We also know that black Pugs were exhibited in England by Lady Brassey at the first Pug Dog Club Show in June of 1885 and in Britain’s Maidstone Show in 1886. A black Pug named Jack Spratt was once such Pug exhibited by Lady Brassey at these shows.History also speaks of another well known black Pug called the “Singing Pug”. It is said that if he was given a chord on the piano or humming, he could pick up the note and sing it! The first Pugs in America arrived a short time after the Civil War. Pugs were accepted into the American Kennel Club toy group in 1885. At this point they were one of fifteen breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC). The Pug has experienced both highs and lows in popularity in this country. In 1920 only five were registered, but in 1931 the Pug Dog Club of America was founded. The Pug saw a great surge of popularity in the 1950’s. By 1998, over 21,000 Pugs were registered, and they continue to thrive today. Even though Pugs were accepted into the AKC in 1885, it was not until 1981 that a Pug won Westminster Kennel Club Show. His name was Ch Dhandys Favorite Woodchuck. “Chucky” as he is known, is still the only Pug to have ever achieved this honor!

Source: http://www.pugminded.com/ahistoryofpugs.html

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I do this sometimes too.

The Beginning

Get to know the Pug

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.

A Look Back
The Pug is one of the oldest breeds of dogs and has flourished since before 400 BC. Most researchers agree that the breed comes from Asia, due to its 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, becoming popular when Prince William II became the King of England. He owned Pugs and they became the fashionable breed for generations.

The Pug’s reason for living is to be near their people and to please them, and their sturdiness makes them a family favorite. They are comfortable in small apartments because they need minimal exercise, but the breed can adapt easily to all situations. The Pug sheds, but its short coat requires little grooming.

- Toy Group; AKC recognized in 1885.
- Weighting between 14 to 18 pounds.
- Companion dog.

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.

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