Breed: From all dog breeds, created by man, only very few have a history, that could compare with the history of Pugs.??Myths and legends surround these dogs.??The images of a bizarre short-muzzled pug-like dogs with the large, bulging eyes and shortened noses, ??carved on jade, fashioned out of clay or made in the ceramics are found from the time of origin of a Buddhist civilization in the East.

There are several different versions of the emergence of Pugs - one of the oldest breeds on Earth.

The ancient Indians had mentioned (and not only once) in many literary works the small dogs with short snouts, particularly in the epic "Mahabharata".??However, most likely, the breed has it's origins in China, as well as the Pekingese.??In some early Chinese writings there are mentioned "the square, low dogs with the short muzzles".??In China, there were some dogs, who were called "Ha Pa" and "Lo Sze".??These two species were very similar to each other and differ mostly just with the long hair.??"Ha Pa" were longhaired.??Pug-like??"Luo Sze" were looking very similar to the Pekingese, but they had a short hair.

In a contrast to the Pekingese, which in China were putten in the rank of emperor worship and sacred dogs and only could live in the imperial palace, the Pug-looking "Luo Sze" were the dogs of the nobility and lived in wealthy homes.??Only a portion of "Luo Sze" lived with the Pekingese in the imperial palace and could not leave it's limits.??These dogs were the??privileged??pets of the imperial dynasty, and even had their own servants, who served their whims.

Pug-like Chinese dogs were wearing collars with the bells. ??It??is interesting, that this fashion was back in the XVII-XVIII centuries - what is depicted in many engravings and statues of the time.??In ancient times the Chinese dogs did not have that deep wrinkles, like a modern Pugs, but a clear picture of the wrinkles on their foreheads already manifested itself and was secured by the directed breeding, because the Chinese have seen in the figures of the wrinkles some similarities with the??hieroglyphic??characters, carrying the secret mystical meaning.??That is why the wrinkles on a forehead of ??"Lo Sze" were called a Royal Sign.

When the trading connections between the continent and the Far East were established, it became possible to transfer animals.??There is a??version,??that exactly this way "Luo Sze" came to Europe about 400 ago - ??with the Dutch sailors.??(There is also a possibility, that Pugs are nothing else, than the dwarf descendants of ??mastiff-like dogs - Bullenbeisters.) Was it like this or not, but at this time Pugs became the most favorite pets of kings and commoners.??Incidentally, in Holland Pug was called the Chinese mastiff.

It was a Pug, who saved Wilhelm the Quietest - the ruler of the Netherlands - during the war with Spain.??Scratching and barking, he woke up the king at the very moment when the sleeping camp was attacked by the enemy.??Because of this act??Pug became the official dog of the House of Orange.

In the XVI century, Pugs were already presented as the current breed.??They quickly became popular, especially with the ladies of a high society.??It was considered a good form to keep the dog of this breed in the house, Pug's expressive muzzle, resembling an exotic monkey, was shadowing the beauty of the owner.??They were warming their mistresses in them unheated apartments and for that were called "a boudoir dogs".

In a kaleidoscope of the history Pugs are mentioned quite often.??These charming dogs have always attracted the attention of the most famous people of the time.??Most widespread in Europe Pugs were in the era of Napoleon, because his wife, Josephine, never separated from her beloved Pug, named Fortune.??This Pug became an attorney in the love story between the emperor and his future wife, handing in his collar the letters from Josephine to Napoleon and back.??After the collapse of the empire the breed was persecuted, but later again became popular in France as the "Carlin", on behalf of the actor of Comedy Dell'arte "Carlino", who was wearing a black mask-domino, that was looking similar to a Pug's muzzle.

Pugs unusually often, perhaps more often than any other breed of dogs, have attracted the attention of painters and sculptors.??Their images are found in the paintings and lithographs, as well as prints, tapestries, porcelain, pottery, clay.

When Pugs appeared in England for the first time, they had a very short cropped ears and the tails for males and females had to be twisted in the opposite directions, ??the tongue drawn out was considered as a great advantage.??Noses were much longer than now, more blunt snout were the result of selection.??The legs were longer, the body was not so "square" as it is now.??The dog was not so closely compacted.

In England the breed became known as "Pug". That's how it is called until now in many countries and that's the breed's official name in the exhibition catalogs.??There are two versions of the origin of this name.??By??one of them, it comes from the Latin "pugnus", which means "fist", that looks like a Pug's head.??And on the other - the name of the breed is associated with jesting English nickname for funny monkeys - "pug".

Shortly after their appearance in England Pugs became a very fashionable dogs and everyone's favorites.??Their spontaneity and unusual appearance, intelligence and friendliness, playfulness, combined with their pride and self-esteem, as well as the sounds they issued (sniffing, grunting, croaking, etc.) have attracted widespread attention to a Pug.

When Pugs just appeared in England, they came originally only in two colors: silver an apricot. ??Later, the black pugs emerged as a result of a selection.??The names of Pug's colors sounded indeed poetically:??apricot - "the sun light", silver - "the moon light" and black - "the black night ".

Pug??owes his????present appearance to English.??In England was launched a serious breeding work that led to the emergence of the modern type of Pug - breed, so loved allover the world.??Pug Club was founded in 1883, in 1885 was organized the first exhibition.??In 1888 the first breed standard was issued and approved.

Today Pug is a??truly??widespread and popular breed not only in Britain but also in many European countries, as well as in America and Australia.

General Features: The Pug is clearly square and chunky, with good proportions and a well-developed muscles. His character is very charming, honorable and intelligent. Balanced, lively and cheerful.??Pug's head is large, round, without grooves on the skull. Muzzle is short, blunt, square, not turned up. Wrinkles must be clearly marked. Eyes are dark, very large, round in shape, with a gentle, humble and full of yearning expression, very lustrous and full of fire when excited. Ears are thin, small, soft like black velvet.??Pug's tale is set high, curled as tightly as possible, pinned to the back. Double scroll is more desirable.??The coat is thin, smooth, soft, short and glossy (must never be stiff and fluffy). Colors: silver, apricot, fawn and black. Each of these colors must be clearly expressed, for there was a clear contrast between the main color and the mask. Markings must be clearly distinguished: the mask, ears, warts on the cheeks, a spot on the forehead in a diamond or a fingerprint shape and a dark line on the ridge should be as dark as possible.

Temperament: Looking at the Pug, one may think that this dog is just an imposing and slow bumpkin, who's only business is to snore on the owner's couch all day long.??But that would be a mistake.

The Pug is often called "multum in parvo" - "much in little".??This dog is surprisingly agile for his baggy appearance. It always looks like your Pug is trying to be everywhere in the house at??the same time and participate in all family matters.??He is ready to run all day long and, anxiously sniffing, to help the owner in all his endeavors, whether he is repairing the raging plumbers or salting autumn mushrooms.??Sometimes it is just hard to believe that the Pug is actually a dog - he certainly does not think so by himself.??He??seems to be the perfect living toy, created "for the others to enjoy," a charming Keeper of the house.

It is good to mention, that Pugs have a tendency to accumulate in the apartment.??When the Pug puppies are born, many breeders are unable to give this funny tadpoles away to another home, and very often they leave a puppy, or even two, especially since the dogs are small and do not take much space in the apartment.??That's how it is easy to see the whole families of Pugs, walking in the parks - mother, grandmother, daughter, son ...

It's very interesting that the dogs of this breed are using their paws almost like hands. While??a dog with a long snout, is "asking" for a delicious treat with the head movements, the Pug will stretch his hand-paw to the tasty piece and even lift his fingers. He would get a toy from under the bad using his "hands" with almost no attempt to push there his big head.??And if the Pug decided to overcome the closed door, you'll hear endless drumming - it's your Pug knocking the door.

Pugs are very loyal to their owners, they will leave any, even the most cheerful, company (whether people or dogs) on the first call.??During absences of the owner, the Pug is very sad, missing, siting with misty eyes. And there is no limit for his happiness, when the friend returned - the Pug is "dancing" on his hind legs, climbing on his owner's hands, licking him and whining joyfully.

In the evening, when the whole family will gather and the home cares are postponed until the morning, the Pug loves to take a nap in his owner's arms, curled comfortably like a cat.??But at the slightest rustle outside the door, he will wake up and rush into the hallway barking.??No, he never bites, but his duty - to warn his owners about the possible danger, he does not ever forget.??Incidentally, it is a common misconception that Pugs snore when they sleep.??It's not quite true. The quiet relaxed breathing of a warm baby can hardly be called snoring.

From the owners of Pugs you can often hear the words of surprise that the Pug is not the most popular breed of dogs yet.??After all, it is simply impossible to find another dog with so many advantages and so suitable for the role of a universal favorite.??But the popularity of these wonderful dogs in recent years is growing so fast, that maybe soon a Pug really will be found in every home.

Health problems: Most of the Pugs are prone to overheating and some breathing problems due to their short muzzles. Some Pugs easily catch colds. Many Pugs may have some skin allergies and eye infections.

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