COUNTRY: China
WEIGHT: 14-18 pounds
HEIGHT: 10-11 inches
COAT: Short, smooth
COLOR: Apricot or silver-fawn (both with black mask), black
OTHER NAMES: Mops, Carlin
REGISTRY: FCI, AKC, TKC, CKC
GROUP: Mastiff
The Pug is a miniature mastiff, with boxy head, large bone and typically thick, wrinkled skin. He hails originally from the Orient, where the Chinese have always favored the snub-nosed dog. This little dog could pass for a flat-faced miniature Tibetan Mastiff or a long-legged, smooth cousin of the Pekingese.
The Dutch East India Company traded around the world, including the Far East, where they found the Pug in China and brought it home to Holland, probably before the 16th century. By the time of William I, Prince of Orange (1533-1584), this breed was admired in the Netherlands. In fact, because the Prince had them, Pugs became the symbol of those who supported the royal family (the Orangists), just as the Keeshond was the mascot of the Patriots or commoner's cause. When William rose victorious after the unrest, the Pug soared in popularity.
When Protestant William III took over England's throne after Catholic James II was ousted, the Pug accompanied the Dutchman to the islands and to British favor. Thus, the Pug is not only a symbol of politics, but of religion. Years later, another famous couple, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor enjoyed the company of this miniature mastiff.
It is possible that the original Pug may have been larger, and it may have been he who contributed to the pushed-in faces of several breeds in Europe, i.e., the Affenpinscher and English Bulldog. His name source is controversial. Fanciers can make their own choice: the Latin pug-nws, meaning fist, describes the dog's shape; the fact that many of the fighting breeds were descended from the Alaunt, which came down from the the Pugnaces; the old English term pugg, meaning someone tenderly loved, which was in general usage in England long before the breed's arrival.
Until the late 1800s the breed was only seen in fawn. The English Lady Brassey returned from the Orient in 1877 with a pair of black Pugs, introducing the second color.
Classified by AKC as a toy, the Pug is more solid than many others in the group and is sturdy enough to romp and play with children, His pushed-in nose and bright, button eyes give him a teddy-bear look. Children must be warned, however, that the little dog is not a teddy bear, but a living thing that can be hurt.
The breed motto is multum in parvo, a lot in a small package, which aptly describes the Pug. He has been the chosen companion of those who prefer a smaller dog that still evidences the character of a larger counterpart. Fanciers emphasize the Pug's laid-back temperament, cleanliness and affection for his master as attributes of the breed.
Quiet, but alert, affectionate and patient, they are true "gentlemen" and "ladies." If they attend too many tea parties, however, they tend to become grossly overweight.