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