| The Pug is undoubtedly a very old breed, but from | | | | name from a Greek word which forms the root of the |
| where they came is a bit confusing. Authorities differ | | | | Latin pugnus, a fist, as his profile closely resembles a |
| very much in their opinions of the exact origin of the | | | | man's hand when tightly clenched. However, this |
| Pug. Some Pug authorities' feel they were brought | | | | definition is one of question. Others think his name is |
| from Holland many years ago having been imported | | | | more likely to have arisen from a study of the |
| there from the Cape of Good Hope, and later brought | | | | countenance as well as general appearance of the |
| to England. Others say they came from Muscovy. | | | | animal. His jet black muzzle or mask is also called |
| Many writers say they are a cross between the | | | | "Carlin," from the resemblance to a harlequin who was |
| English Bulldog and small Dane. There were dogs | | | | famous in France at one time in history. The breed |
| resembling the Pug we know today in the Buddhist | | | | was known in France previously as "dogmus" and |
| monasteries in Tibet before 400 BC. They were also | | | | "roquets." Many wealthy families owned and |
| seen in Japan and Europe becoming the favorite of | | | | celebrated their Pugs especially as "parlour pets." |
| royal courts in those countries. The Pug became | | | | When the owner sat for a portrait, the Pug sat in a |
| popular in Holland around the mid-1500's. Other | | | | prominent place in the foreground. The Pug has a |
| important positions of the Pug throughout history were: | | | | stately look about him which seems to state his |
| - The Pug became the official dog of the House of | | | | feelings of dignity and how well they know their |
| Orange in Holland in 1572. It has been said this occurred | | | | importance. They are generally affectionate, yet with a |
| after a Pug saved the life of William, Prince of Orange. | | | | jealous streak of their mistress if she gives attention to |
| Apparently the Pug was instrumental in giving the | | | | others in the doggy community. He is easy going |
| Prince an alarm at the approach of the Spaniards at | | | | otherwise and good tempered. The Pug is clever and |
| Hermingny. - The Pug was an important pet of | | | | can be comically mischievous having an out-going |
| Josephine, wife of Napoleon in 1790. One fact remains | | | | personality. Do not feed your Pug excessively. They |
| that were not heard of in England until about the time | | | | seem to have a tendency to overeat if allowed and |
| of William III, at which time, they became great | | | | become overweight, which is not healthy for any |
| favourites among the aristocracy. They were | | | | breed of dog. The general appearance of the Pug is a |
| pampered and petted. During the lifetime of the great | | | | large-headed, smooth-coated, square built and cobby |
| painter Hogarth the Pug's popularity in the Flemish | | | | shape standing with an air of importance and dignity. |
| provinces was well documented by his pictures. The | | | | Eyes of a Pug are usually dark and large. Pug have a |
| Pug is seen in many of his famous pictures. Two | | | | short, square muzzle, therefore, they are not too |
| strains in England known as the Willoughby and the | | | | happy in hot, cold or humid weather. Don't leave them |
| Morrison in the years of 1840 and 1850 were well | | | | outside or closed in cars in the summer or winter |
| known. The Willoughby strain was named after Lady | | | | months. Grooming the Pug is fairly easy. They have a |
| Willoughby de Eresby, a Pug fancier who obtained a | | | | smooth, slick hair coat that is easily combed and |
| dog from Vienna, formerly the property of a Hungarian | | | | brushed. You won't find any mats and tangles on |
| Countess. In 1864 he was mated to a female imported | | | | these guys! Some common diseases and disorders of |
| from Holland of correct fawn color with black mask | | | | the Pug might be: - Hip dysplasia; - Patellar Luxation; - |
| and trace but without brindle. From this union the | | | | Entropion; - Demodectic mange; - Heat stroke due to |
| celebrated Willoughby Pug with its "saddle mark" or | | | | the short muzzle; - Pug encephalitis. The Pug is also |
| "wide trace," found its origin. The Morrison strain was | | | | prone to obesity, as mentioned above, arthritis and |
| of richer color and without much black marking, also a | | | | heart disease. The Pug makes a good pet companion |
| larger type and supposedly a lineal descendant of the | | | | to the young and old, children and teenagers. This |
| stock owned by Queen Charlotte. The Pug derives his | | | | article is FREE to publish with the resource box. |