Pug

Origin

The Pug reached its peak of popularity during the reign of Queen Victoria as evidenced by the many replicas that have come down from that era but the breed has been known in Britain since the time of William of Orange (1689-1704) who kept several as pets. Since that time, the breed has been a favourite of royalty. The Pug’s actual origin is a matter of conjecture with the most popular theory being that the breed originated in the Orient and was a longer-legged, smooth-coated variety of the Pekingese. There are two explanations for the name. One is that Pug was derived from the latin word “pugnus,” which meant “fist,” the thought being the Pug’s face resembled a closed fist. The other, more appealing idea is that it came from the Old English word “pug,” which meant “someone dearly loved.”

Temperament

The breed motto is “Multum in Parvo” meaning “a lot of dog in a small space.” The Pug is even-tempered in nature, displaying playfulness, dignity and an outgoing, lovable disposition. The almost-human expression with its large dark eyes and wrinkled forehead quickly charms its way into a multitude of hearts.

Activity Level

A pet that adapts well to town or country living, the Pug gets by with a minimal amount of exercise. However, he should get some exercise on a regular basis to keep this compact dog from gaining too much weight.

Height/Weight

This muscular little dog weighs from 14-18 lb (6.5-8 kg).

Coat

The coat is fine, short, smooth and glossy.

Colour

The coat may be solid black or fawn. The fawns will have black masks and ears.

Grooming

Gentle brushing keeps the coat shiny.