Pug
History
The truth of how the Pug came into existence is shrouded
in mystery, but he has been true to his breed down through
the ages since before 400 B.C. Authorities agree that he
is of Oriental origin with some basic similarities to the
Pekingese. China is the earliest known source for the breed,
where he was the pet of the Buddhist monasteries in Tibet.
The breed next appeared in Japan and then in Europe, where
it became the favorite for various royal courts.
The Pug became the official dog of the House of Orange
after one of the breed saved the life of William, Prince
of Orange, by giving alarm at the approach of the Spaniards
at Hermingny in 1572. Later when William II landed at Torbay
to be crowned King of England, his cortege included Pugs
and they became the fashionable breed for generations.
By
1790 the Pug's popularity has spread to France where
Josephine, wife of Napoleon, depended
on her Pug "Fortune" to
carry secret messaged under his collar to her husband while
she was impresoned at Les Carmes.
In 1860 British soldiers sacked the Imperial Palace in
Peking and dogs of the Pug and Pekingese type were brought
back to England. This was the first time since the early
16th century that dogs in any great number had been brought
out of China. Black Pugs were imported from China and exhibited
for the first time in England in 1886. One year earlier,
in 1885, the Pug had been accepted for registration with
the American Kennel Club.
The
Pug is well described by the phrase "multum in
parvo" which means "a lot of dog in a small space." the
name "Pug" probably comes from the dog's facial
expression, which is similar to that of the marmoset monkeys
that were popular pets of the early 1700's and known as
Pugs.
He
is small but requires no coddling and his roguish face
soon wiggles its way into the hearts of men, women and
especially children, for whom this dog seems to have a
special affinity. His great reason for living is to be
near his people and to please them. He is comfortable in
a small apartment or country home alike, easily adaptable
to all situations.
While Pugs tend to be a healthy, hearty breed that can easily
live into the mid and upper teens, there are some health issues
one should be aware.
- Obesity
can be a major health hazard for your Pug, so feeding should
be carefully montitored
- Owners
should clean their Pug's face rolls, nose and ears every
few days to prevent infection
- Pugs
are built to be house dogs and do not tolerate extreme
cold
or hot weather well
Due to the growing popularity of Pugs, there
is also a growing need for Pug rescue across the country.
Unwanted Pugs are surrendered
every day, so you may want to adopt a Pug instead of purchasing
a puppy. If you do purchase a puppy, be sure to only buy from
a reputable breeder and avoid pet stores. And be sure to have
your Pug spayed or nuetered. |
