Pug

Pug Breed Information



Breed Name:	Pug (aka Chinese Pug, Mops, Carlin)

Country of Origin:	China

Average Lifespan:	10 - 15 years

Size:	Small

Breed Classification:	Toy

Coat:	Fine, glossy texture Can be fawn, black, apricot or silver coloured Shed year round, especially fawn coats

Characteristics:	Very social, but can be stubborn More attentive to humans than other dogs Tend to prefer constant human company rather than being alone Playful and charming personality

Breed Standards:	A square shaped frame with compact features is considered ideal for Pugs. Pug breed standards dictate that soft, dark eyes are ideal and that the wrinkles on their faces should be large and deep. Their tails should be curled tightly to the body over the hip. A double curl in the tail is considered to be Pug perfection.

History:	Pugs were bred to adorn the laps of Chinese emperors during the Shang dynasty. They were most prominent in East China and were known as "Lo-Chiang-Sze" or "Foo". Pugs were named for their likeness to ceramic foos with their bulging eyes. The popularity of Pugs eventually spread to Tibet, where they were kept by monks. Later, the breed was adopted in Japan and Europe. During the 16th and 17th Centuries, Pugs became very popular among European aristocrats. The breed spread to the Americas in the 19th Century where they were shown for conformation and kept as family pets.

Fun Facts:	Many famous people have owned Pugs as pets. In the past, Pugs were the companions of such historical figures as Marie Antoinette, Queen Victoria, William Hogarth and Napoleon Bonaparte's wife, Josephine. In modern times, celebrities who have Pugs as pets include Jessica Alba, Tori Spelling and Tom Welling.

Recommendations:	Due to their short, thick necks, harnesses are more suitable for Pugs than collars. Breathing problems and damage to the trachea can occur if Pugs wear collars for walks. A great harness to try is the Buddy Belt, which fits comfortably around the dog's front legs and has a fashionable, functional design. Try a bright pink or red colour on black Pugs, while any colour will look fantastic on fawn Pugs.