Pug
Toy

Group:

Toy

Size:

small

Lifespan:

12-15 years

Exercise:

little

Grooming:

little

Trainability:

moderate

Watchdog ability:

very high

Protection ability:

very low

Area of Origin:

China

Date of Origin:

ancient times

Other Names:

Mops, Carlin

Original Function:

lapdog

History

The word "Pug" is derived either from the Latin Pugnus, meaning fist, as the head may have resembled a clenched fist, or from the marmoset "Pug" monkeys that were popular pets in the 18th century and that the Pug dogs somewhat resemble. Whatever the name, one thing is true: The Pug’s official motto multum in parvo ("a lot in a little") fits it exactly. The Pug is somewhat of an exception in the toy group because it is perhaps the only breed to be descended from mastiff forebears. Although its exact ancestry has been lost in antiquity, the Pug retains many mastiff characteristics. This is an ancient breed, one of several miniaturized in Asia, where it was a favourite pet of Buddhist monasteries in Tibet many centuries ago. In China, the facial wrinkles were an essential breed feature, most notably the "prince mark," or vertical wrinkle on the forehead, which bore a resemblance to the Chinese character for "prince." Pugs probably came to Holland by way of the Dutch East India Trading Company. They became quite popular and were recognised as the official dog of the House of Orange after one saved the life of Prince William by sounding an alarm at the approach of Spanish soldiers in 1572. By 1790, the Pug could be found in France; Napoleon’s wife Josephine used her Pug to carry messages to Napoleon when she was imprisoned. Pugs were first brought to England during Victorian times and became incredibly popular with the wealthy, displacing the King Charles Spaniel as the favoured royal breed. Pugs of Victorian England usually had cropped ears, further accentuating their wrinkled faces.

Temperament

Playful and happy, dignified and funny, Pugs do well with visitors, children and other pets. Although sometimes stubborn, the Pug is typically pleasant and anxious to please. It loves to show-off.

Upkeep

The Pug needs daily exercise, either in the form of a lively game or a moderate walk on leash. It does not do well in heat and humidity and should not be kept outdoors. It needs minimal coat care but daily cleaning of facial wrinkles. Its smooth coat needs only occasional brushing to remove dead hairs; however, the wrinkles need regular cleaning and drying to prevent skin infections. The Pug wheezes and snores.

Official Breed Standard

GENERAL APPEARANCE:
A decidedly square and cobby dog. The Pug should be "multum in parvo", but this condensation should be shown by compactness of form, well-knit proportions, and hardness of developed muscle.

Head and Skull:
Head large, massive, round - not apple-headed, with no indentation of the skull. Muzzle short, blunt, square but not upfaced. Wrinkles large and deep.

Eyes:
Dark in colour, very large, bold and prominent, globular in shape, soft and solicitous in expression, very lustrous, and when excited, full of fire.

Ears:
Thin, small, soft, like black velvet. There are two kinds - the "rose" and the "button". Preference should be given to the latter.

Mouth:
Slightly undershot. Wry mouth, teeth or tongue showing all highly undesirable. Wide lower jaw with incisors almost in a straight line.

Forequarters:
Legs very strong, straight, of moderate length, and well under the body.

Body:
Short and cobby, wide in chest and well-ribbed.

Hindquarters:
Legs very strong, straight, of moderate length and well under.

Feet:
Neither so long as the foot of the hare nor so round as that of the cat; well split-up toes; the nails black.

Tail:
(Twist). Curled tightly as possible over the hip. The double curl is perfection.

Gait/Movement:
Viewed from in front should rise and fall with legs well under shoulder, feet keeping directly to front, not turning in or out. From behind action just as true. Using forelegs strongly putting them well forward with hindlegs moving freely and using stifles well. A slight roll of hindquarters typifies gait.

Coat:
Fine, smooth, soft, short and glossy, neither hard nor woolly.

Colour:
Silver, apricot fawn or black. Each should be clearly decided, to make the contrast complete between the colour, the trace and the mask. Markings: Clearly defined. The muzzle or mask, ears, moles on checks, thumbmarks or diamond on forehead and the trace should be as black as possible. Mask: The mask should be black, the more intense and well- defined, the better. Trace: A black line extending from the occiput to the twist.

Weight and Size:
Desirable weight from 6.4 to 8.2 kg. ( 14-18 lbs) (dog or bitch).

Faults:
Lean, leggy. Short legs and long body.

Note:
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.